Broadcasters group paid lobbyist $140K |
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Wed, 12 Sep 2007 19:22
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WASHINGTON (AP) - The National Association of Broadcasters, which represents more than 8,300 local television and radio stations, paid the Podesta Group Inc. $140,000 to lobby the federal government in the first half of 2007, according to a recent disclosure form.The firm lobbied Congress and the Federal Communications Commission on legislation dealing with consumer advertisements, Internet radio royalty rates, a proposed satellite radio combination and other matters, according to the form posted online Aug. 13 by the Senate's public records office.The broadcasters' group is opposed to Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.'s proposed acquisition of XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., which it says would create a monopoly.Walt Disney Co.'s ABC division and radio station owner Clear Channel Communications Inc. are among the National Association of Broadcasters' members.Among those registered to lobby on behalf of the trade group are: Paul Brathwaite, former executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus; John Scofield, former communications director for the House Appropriations Committee; Andrew Kauders, former senior adviser to Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J.; Ann Marie Polak, former staffer for Rep. Mike Ferguson, R-N.J.; and Heather Urban, former director of Nevada operations and legislation for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.Under a federal law enacted in 1995, lobbyists are required to disclose activities that could influence members of the executive and legislative branches. They must register with Congress within 45 days of being hired or engaging in lobbying.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Ahead of the Bell: Radio Royalties 