Payola

Payola is the practice of record labels or artists paying radio stations or DJs to play their songs more frequently, often without disclosing these payments. This can give certain songs an unfair advantage and influence radio playlists, potentially skewing what listeners hear based on financial arrangements rather than genuine popularity or quality. Payola is considered unethical and is often illegal because it can mislead consumers and distort the music industry’s fairness. It undermines transparency and the trust listeners place in radio and media to provide unbiased content.