During an interview with radio host Russ Parr on May 18, 2009, Radio One, Inc. Chairperson Cathy Hughes stated:

"In 2007 the recording industry reported that the airplay of radio stations accounted for $10.4 billion worth of record sales and now they want us to pay to play music."

THE FACTS: The recording industry has never reported record sales based on radio airplay. The ENTIRE value of the record industry in 2007 was estimated at $10.4 billion (http://www.riaa.com/keystatistics.php). Is Ms. Hughes suggesting that every last CD and digital download sold is due to radio airplay? While we agree that radio may offer some promotional value, music sales result from hundreds of new music outlets for dedicated music fans. In addition, while the retail value of the music industry declined by more than 40 percent from 1999 to 2008, the radio industry grew 10 percent, largely from advertising on music stations. So one has to ask: who's promoting who?