By NEVIN TRUAN
People have come to expect change in 2020. Facebook is jumping on the trend as well.
The social media site recently made changes to its policies regarding video streaming, which went into effect at the beginning of October. The changes target music played in videos, which had many artists and content providers wondering what effect that would have on them.
Now that a month has passed, what do local artists think of these changes?
It all started in September when Facebook announced plans to make updates to its video steaming policy citing: “You may not use videos on our Products to create a music listening experience. We want you to be able to enjoy videos posted by family and friends. However, if you use videos on our Products to create a music listening experience for yourself or for others, your videos will be blocked and your page, profile, or group may be deleted. This includes Live.”
Many people did not have a fond reaction to the announcement as artists were left wondering if they would be able to continue posting original content. Others took to social media and were quite vocal about their discontent with Facebook, even going as far as to boycott the website.
Meanwhile, Instagram, a platform based entirely on photo/video content and owned by Facebook, was unaffected by the updates.
Dusty Grant, a solo acoustic rock artist based in Wichita, has relied on social media and online streaming to help push his content. Grant has been watching his viewer count rise on platforms such as Spotify, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
He said the changes are counterproductive to his recent efforts.
“I honestly wasn’t surprised. I saw it coming a mile away,” Grant said. “I regret spending so much time and effort building my following there. I wish I had focused on other places, which I’m definitely doing now and have been doing.”
Upon hearing the public’s initial reaction, Facebook clarified its statement: “We want to encourage musical expression on our platforms while also ensuring that we uphold our agreements with rights holders. These agreements help protect the artists, songwriters, and partners who are the cornerstone of the music community — and we’re grateful for how they’ve enabled the amazing creativity we’ve seen in this time.”
Facebook went into further detail by explaining, “Music in stories and traditional live music performances (e.g., filming an artist or band performing live) are permitted.”
For some artists, the changes are not a dire issue.
“I admit, I didn’t look much into it,” said Hays native Ryne Timken, a member of the band Tree Kitty. “Our band hasn’t had any problems with them, but I’m sure that it has, is and will be happening. I don’t really use Facebook much for promotion, so maybe that’s why it didn’t bother me as much as the guidelines seem to be pressing.”
Facebook also noted “shorter clips of music are recommended. There should always be a visual component to your video; recorded audio should not be the primary purpose of the video. These guidelines are consistent across live and recorded video on both Facebook and Instagram and for all types of accounts.”
Logan Harmon, another Hays native who has worked with many local acts, frequently posts his own content featuring a variety of different covers. According to Harmon, his videos are not made to bring in any profit. He posts them simply for the purpose of entertainment and educational value.
He does not claim ownership in any of the material with the videos and makes that point known in his video descriptions.
“Yes, it has blocked and/or muted the audio on some covers that I have posted,” Harmon said.
“I feel this is in direct violation of the Free Use Act. I do not collect money for putting up songs that I am covering. I am doing it simply to entertain and educate on how to play the songs”
Harmon has been dealing with the issues well before the policy change went into effect; however, the recent changes have given him no reassurance for the future.
“Facebook’s reckless abandon of blocking/muting these videos shows less care for the user, and the law, and more care for the record companies that are quick to claim copyright over posts that do not violate copyright laws,” he said. “What used to be a perfect medium for the small DIY artists, whether it be music, acting, art, etc., has become a cesspool of greed, selling information and catering to the excess of corrupted industries all in the name of maximizing profit.”
At this time, the thoughts of local artists towards Facebook vary from complacent to conflicted. Some are seeking alternative platforms to grow their following, while others wait to see what the future holds.