The radio industry
in New York is feeling the effects as a result of New York’s Attorney General’s
payola probe.
Power 105.1 FM’s well respected program director Michael
Saunders was fired as a result of the probe yesterday (Oct. 12) for allegedly
accepting various gifts to play records from various record labels, including
Sony BMG.
According to reports, Clear Channel’s Urban Programming
Vice President Doc Wynter will replace Saunders as interim program director.
"We take this issue very seriously and our policy is clear:
If you engage in pay-for-play, you cannot work for Clear Channel," Clear
Channel Radio CEO John Hogan said in a statement.
Spitzer and Sony BMG reached a settlement earlier this week,
agreeing that some Clear Channel radio programmers accepted money and bribes
in return for playing records from the massive label.
Other employees have been disciplined for less serious violations
and Clear Channel stated that all of its stations managers and programmers will
undergo company training on anti-payola policies.
Under federal laws, it illegal to accept money, gifts or bribes
in return for radio airplay.
"Our investigation
shows that, contrary to listener expectations that songs are selected for airplay
based on artistic merit and popularity, air time is often determined by undisclosed
payoffs to radio stations and their employees," Spitzer said. "This
agreement is a model for breaking the pervasive influence of bribes in the industry."
