Radio Lobbies For Reform Of French-music Quotas

PARIS-As the French parliament began to debate a new audiovisual bill, Culture and Communications Minister Catherine Trautmann was being petitioned by leading broadcasters seeking reform of France's controversial music quotas law. The regulations currently stipulate that broadcasts must contain at least 40% French music.
In a statement, some 88 French radio stations-including all of the country's commercial networks, except R&B format Skyrock-say, "Uniform quotas are in conflict with pluralism. The diversity of formats allows us to respond to audience and artist expectations. The promotion of French-language music should help increase the diversity of radio rather than impede it."
The move came as the new audiovisual bill was presented to the prime minister April 21. In January, during consultations on the drafting of the bill, radio regulator the CSA sent a report to Trautmann urging that any new legislation incorporate greater flexibility in acknowledging format differences. The CSA proposed stations be given three options: uphold the current law; play more French music but less new music (aimed at gold-format outlets); or play less French music and more new music (aimed at top 40 outlets).
Trautmann has yet to respond to the CSA report or the stations' petition. A government source says the Culture Ministry plans to meet with radio and music industry representatives to discuss the issues before parliament votes on the new bill in May.