Tough time for radio and TV stations in D.C.

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It’s a tough day to be working for the National Assn. of Broadcasters. The Consumer Electronics Assn. and the CTIA (the main trade group for the mobile phone industry) urged the Federal Communications Commission today to consider reclaiming some digital TV airwaves and dedicating them to use with wireless devices.

Meanwhile, the NAB began meeting in the Capitol with representatives of the music industry to discuss fiercely contested legislation to require local radio stations to pay royalties to performing artists and labels for the songs they play over the air. The meetings come at the behest of the chairmen of the House and Senate Judiciary committees, and today’s session included a visit by House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) -- a not-so-subtle nudge from the Democratic leadership to the NAB to work out a deal. Read more about these developments at the Times’ Technology blog.

-- Jon Healey

Healey writes editorials for The Times’ Opinion Manufacturing Division. Follow him on Twitter: @jcahealey