ST Alpha - "It is payola. It's just not illegal payola. " (Reading a Post)

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In response to "Here's a Vox video about "slotting fees", fees paid to grocery stores to get your stuff on the shelf. How is this not payola? -- (link)" by Mop

It is payola. It's just not illegal payola.

Posted by ReluctantCynic (aka ReluctantCynic) Jun 1 '20, 12:55

Payola in the radio context is illegal because the radiowaves are a public resource regulated by the federal government.

A grocery store is a private space. People and organizations can contract privately as they wish within the bounds of the law (e.g., a contract for sexual services would be viewed as illegal prostitution). Since there is no law prohibiting suppliers from contracting for preference in shelf space at grocery stores, their commercial contracts are entirely legal.

Responses:

Ah, thank you. I didn't think about the implications of regulated airwaves. -- nm - Mop Jun 1, 13:14
It's "free market" payola. -- nm - Beryllium Jun 1, 12:55 2
- Yeah, but why use 4 words in an explanation when you can use 40? - ReluctantCynic Jun 1, 12:57 1
  - Spoken like someone that gets paid by the hour. -- nm - spamlet Jun 1, 13:04

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It is payola. It's just not illegal payola.

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