Holy ghost of Alan Freed! There's payola in them thar radio stations.

"Our investigation shows that, contrary to listener expectations that songs are selected for airplay based on artistic merit and popularity, air time is often determined by undisclosed payoffs to radio stations and their employees," Spitzer said.

In one instance in July 2001, Buffalo radio station executive David Universal and a guest were flown to New York City in exchange for his adding the Jennifer Lopez song "I'm Real" to the playlist at WKSE.

We like our crusading AG as much as the next guy, but: Is there anyone, anywhere who was under the impression J.Lo got airplay based on artistic merit?

Frankly, it makes us feel a little better to know payola was involved.

Runaway Bribes [NYP]

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