Berman bill makes radio pay for air play

Rep. Howard Berman has introduced legislation that would require radio stations to compensate performers for songs played over the airwaves.Lisa Friedman in the Daily News.

But broadcasters insist the legislation - which lawmakers are likely to consider this year - would be the death knell for radio.

"If passed, this could threaten the survival of local radio stations, would reduce the quality of their programming and would almost certainly reduce diversity in radio," Cathy Rought, spokeswoman for the Free Radio Alliance, warned in a statement.

At issue is an 80-year-