[Fmpro] Doug Wood: FMPRO list = "misinformation"

[jbrave]

Let's take apart DW's post:

"I agree with many of the sentiments expressed here, but some 
misinformation
has been posted (there's a surprise!) and rumors have been posited as fact"
Doug said "...some misinformation..." He didn't say "FMPRO is full of 
misinformation"

Where DW went wrong in this paragraph was with the remark "...(there's a 
surprise!)..." which is sarcastic and a self defeating comment. Someone 
in his position needs to build alliances for change not just within his 
organization, but with those outside of his organization. This comment 
is alienating to FMPRO subscribers in my opinion.

Doug said "...rumors have been posited as fact..."

This does not appear to be a blanket condemnation of the information 
generally posted on the list.

Doug said:

"Second, broadcasters do not pay $123 for a minute of music. Most
broadcasters have a blanket license with all three PROs under which they
have the right to broadcast anything in the PRO's repertoire for a flat fee.
The license covers every piece of music they use over a five year period. So
the PROs try to keep track of the music that a licensee broadcasts during a
quarter (plenty to discuss here, but not now) and distribute the
broadcaster's license fee among those composers and publishers according to
their various distribution formulas."

Here he specifically pointed out what he felt was misinformation. No 
need for him to repost the same paragraph.

Doug said:

"If you can avoid the name calling, the rumor
mongering, the half-truths, the distortions, and the temptation to jump to
other subjects, we can get this done."

This language is inflammatory and is what I think Mark Northam is 
responding to. A perceived lack or actual failure to communicate 
important information to ASCAP membership is the reason why there might 
be rumors, distortions and half truths - if the ASCAP organization was 
doing a good job of communicating information to it's membership, these 
problems would not exist. They exist because of a failure in clearly 
communicating and listening to, and responding to the needs of the 
portion of the ASCAP membership that composes instrumental music for 
films and subscribes to this list. This is a failure at a basic level 
that can ultimately be the undoing of an organization. Take heed.

Joel