[grc] Programmers promoting personal Patreon page on their LPFM show

[Andrew Stelzer]

At every station Ive worked at, this issue was part of programmer
training--even if that training was only 30 minutes long. You cant try and
raise money/sell things for any entity other than the station itself.
(besides post-Katrina and other occasional exceptions allowed by the Feds)

This puts you in legal jeopardy for sure--Id say just tell them they cant
go back on air until they understand the law and agree not to do it again.

Anyone here have a good link written in basic english Danny can send them?

On Wed, May 2, 2018 at 9:27 AM, Michelle Bradley via grc <
grc at maillist.peak.org> wrote:

> I have to agree, this is very problematic.  It can also be seen as third
> party fundraising, which is allowed under specific conditions and all
> activity has to be logged.
>
> Using the air shift for a specific personal gain can definitely be seen as
> "plugola" as Paul suggests.
>
> The air staff should be promoting THE STATION.  They should only be
> permitted to give a fundraising page on the official station website.
> Airstaff needs to remember that without those donations coming on the air,
> the station would not be able to remain on the air and if the station goes,
> then so does their "show".    If the (volunteer) air staff can't be
> supportive of efforts to support the station, then they are a burden and
> should be shown the door.
>
> =m
>
>
>
>
>
> On 5/2/2018 9:21 AM, Bill Simmon via grc wrote:
>
>> Interesting. The wording of the ask is problematic because it is pretty
>> clearly within the "call to action" sort of language that is prohibited
>> for
>> noncommercial stations. It's interesting that they don't actually say the
>> Patreon subscriptions support the radio show -- like what if it was to
>> support the creative work that the DJs do generally, and not just limited
>> to the show? The policies at our station would probably allow for it if it
>> was less direct, like "We do a lot of cool creative stuff and we are
>> supported in this effort by members of our community. You can learn more
>> at
>> patreon.org/ourgreatshow!"
>>
>> The language "for as little as $1/month" is definitely a no-no. That would
>> get someone kicked off the air at our station if there was any pushback
>> after being told not to do it. Good luck!
>>
>> Bill
>>
>> --
>> Bill Simmon
>> Director of Media Services
>> Vermont Community Access Media
>>
>> 208 Flynn Avenue #2G
>> Burlington, VT 05401
>> 802.651.9692
>>
>> vermontcam.org
>> facebook.com/vermontcam
>> twitter.com/vermontcam
>> vimeo.com/vermontcam
>> youtube.com/vermontcam
>>
>> On Wed, May 2, 2018 at 8:22 AM, David Goodman via grc <
>> grc at maillist.peak.org
>>
>>> wrote:
>>> Well, you've discovered the holy grail for every independent producer and
>>> the pandora's box for every station manager. Here's the thing: you run a
>>> non-commercial station, right? When you fund raise over the air and offer
>>> premiums, the STATION as a whole benefits, yes? Who is benefiting from
>>> these calls to "sign up;" just them, correct?
>>>
>>> Your organization should have by-laws outlining what it means to be
>>> non-commercial.
>>>
>>> Good luck. Asking people to stop doing something is never easy.
>>>
>>> cheers, dg
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&
>>> utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail>
>>> Virus-free.
>>> www.avg.com
>>> <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&
>>> utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail>
>>> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
>>>
>>> On Wed, May 2, 2018 at 7:03 AM, Danny via grc <grc at maillist.peak.org>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> We have new programmers that aired this the other day on our LPFM:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "If you would like to support our creative endeavors and the expansion
>>>> of
>>>> our offerings, consider subscribing to our Patreon at
>>>> Patreon.com/[redacted]. You can subscribe for as little as $1/month and
>>>>
>>> we
>>>
>>>> have cool rewards available."
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> It seems to me this is problematic on multiple levels like FCC rules,
>>>> non-profit status and just setting a horrible precedent for programmers
>>>>
>>> to
>>>
>>>> all start directly monetizing their shows.  And FWIW, they flipped out
>>>>
>>> when
>>>
>>>> we asked them to stop doing this, which strongly suggests this is
>>>> central
>>>> to
>>>> their show and to me smacks of airing an infomercial at best.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thoughts???
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> I.B.I.S. Radio
>>> Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA
>>> [
>>> *Producers of "SOUND and FURY" & *
>>> *"LOCAL EDITION: The BINJ Report"*]
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