The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last week issued a Public Notice requesting comment on a petition filed in June by the MusicFIRST Coalition. MusicFIRST, a music industry-funded organization that is advocating for a new broadcaster performance fee, has complained about some radio stations airing anti-performance fee commercials while declining to air MusicFIRST spots. The petition also alleges that some unnamed broadcasters have refused to play the music of artists that have spoken out in favor of a new performance fee. While the FCC recognizes “that substantial First Amendment interests are involved in the examination of speech of any kind, and it is not clear whether remedies are necessary or available to address the actions alleged by MusicFIRST,” the agency is still seeking comment to “develop a more complete factual record.” NAB will be filing comments in response to the petition.

You can read the Public Notice here. Initial comments are due September 8. Reply comments are due September 23.