Friday, January 18, 2008

More Hack Journalism Courtesy Chicago Tribune

Cayocosta

Amazing that virtually no one in journalism is willing to stand up and support artists and the industry against piracy.

Greg Kot of Chicago Tribune writes:
In the last few years, the music industry has combated tumbling revenue by suing costumers (sic), decimating artist rosters and laying off thousands of employees.
Tumbling revenue is employed here as a euphemism for piracy; and as usual, customers is used to describe music pirates.
But in the last few days, one important segment of the music industry actually came up with a rescue strategy that didn’t smack of panic, malice or desperation.

The Songwriters Association of Canada is proposing a $5-a-month licensing fee on every wireless and Internet account in the country, in exchange for unlimited access to all recorded music.
Bad idea and I'm not about to waste my time explaining why, as no one ever bothers to explain the opposite when proffering such nostrums.

Personally, I think it's a terrible idea to ask everyone to pay for those that refuse to; however, the industry and its artists have no other choice. Writing about the looting that is occurring but blaming the providers for it while obfuscating its immorality and direct consequences - for fear of alienating those engaged - is simply reprehensible.

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