It is with great satisfaction that SACEM learned of the decision of Parliament in a Joint Mixed Committee to adopt the compromise solution proposed by the Minister of Culture on radio quotas.
This reasonable responsible choice of a sensible compromise has the merit of preserving cultural diversity and Francophonie.
Musical production in France offers a rich diversity in all genres, with over 5,000 French-language works produced last year. In the face of certain abuses in recent years, this new provision will help maintain the effect of quotas and boost diversification in programming on commercial radio.
SACEM would like to give special thanks to the 2,082 artists mobilised to support this amendment: performing artists, songwriter/composers who are SACEM members, along with screenwriters, filmmakers, painters and other personalities from the world of culture.
Laurent Petitgirard, composer, conductor and Chair of the SACEM Board of Directors: “I can only be delighted at this happy end. Thanks to the open-mindedness of the Minister of Culture, who perfectly understood how crucial quotas are for cultural diversity, this compromise will enable artists to find their audiences more easily. The immediate mobilisation of SACEM members and artists from all fields of creation is proof of our strong attachment to this indispensable way of supporting musical creation.”
Jean-Noël Tronc, SACEM Director General: “I would like to salute the massive mobilisation in the music business and, far more broadly, the world of culture around this struggle to protect quotas. This parliamentary decision offers a compromise solution which is positive for radio stations, their listeners and artists, of course.”
THE COMPROMISE PROPOSED by the MINISTeR of CULTURE
Draft Law relating to Freedom of Creation, Architecture and Heritage (2nd reading), amendment presented by the Government:
“[…] Thus, the present amendment resulting from this consultation helps better delimit the scope of the modulation, by reserving this capacity for music radio stations alone and taking into account the originality of their programming. It regulates its extent, which cannot exceed 5 points and shall be proportional to the commitments to musical diversity accepted by radio stations. It specifies the nature of these commitments, which must be substantial and qualified and concern all programming at peak listening times. It sets down by law the minimum levels of these commitments regarding the percentage of new productions (minimum 45%) and maximum frequency (maximum 150 per month). And it provides that the CSA (French Broadcasting Authority) shall specify the conditions for fulfilling these commitments in a deliberation taken after a public consultation to guarantee both transparency and consideration for the concerns of all the players involved.
In all, these details make it possible both to reinforce the effectiveness of modulation to make it a true incentive for greater musical diversity on radio, while addressing the concerns of the music sector regarding the conditions in which the CSA can enforce this capacity. Thus regulated, modulation is very effective in completing the system for reducing frequency in the service of a common goal: providing maximum exposure of francophone musical creation in all its diversity.”
Published June 16 2016