The NAB recently announced that Andy Berkowitz, program director for WWOT-FM Altoona, PA, is the winner of the "Don't Tax That Dial" competition. Berkowitz will be awarded $2,500 for his winning entry, in addition to travel, two nights hotel stay and registration for two to attend the 2009 NAB Radio Show in Philadelphia.

THE FACTS: What a coincidence! Mr. Berkowitz's award is exactly half the low flat-fee amount his station would be eligible to pay under the PRA. (With revenue between $500,000 and $1.25 million a year, a station can elect to pay just $5000 a year for all the music it can play.) Throw in the value of his NAB-provided travel accommodations and the amount is pretty much the same as what WWOT-FM would pay under the PRA. Looks like the broadcasters are not so cash-strapped after all. It's as if NAB is waving Big Radio's big profits in the artists' faces, saying, "We'd rather throw away our money than pay you for your work." Talk about disrespect!

If you think WWOT-FM Altoona is pleased with its program director's monetary award for creating propaganda, imagine how meaningful it would be for the creators of the content who actually keep the station in business...