A few years back I worked for an Industry Trade Association. Frankly while I wasn't always happy at the time it was one of the best jobs I have ever had and had a lot of freedom generally. I had a great boss and learned a lot about DC politics from an 'Off the Hill' perspective. But I also learned a great deal about the way trade association politics work.
First rule of Trade Association politics is never take a public stand that directly conflicts with members. In fact, it is in part of the reason of growth of the DC trade association industry. Because when a conflict issue comes to a head between two large businesses and they are both of one association they want to take action and it won't. So they and their allies develop a new trade association to take action on the subject. Incidental I have noticed while the United Nations is not thought of as a Trade Association it fits the rules of them to a shameful degree, but that is another topic for another day.
Sadly National Association of Broadcasters of America broke the rule recently as observed by this post on Boing Boing. The only rationalization I can give is NPR and PBS dues may be very minor in comparison to other media. Frankly a point worth researching and I may add as post notes. But by breaking this rule the President and Board of National Association of Broadcasters of America will be seen as untrustworthy in DC political circles for a long, let me clarify LONG, time to come. There are basic rules to DC politics any gain over broadcast treaty internationally may cost them untold in beltway politics for a very long time. This was the dumbest move I may have ever seen in Association politics and will cost them allies in every other fight they currently have.
So to Broadcasters I say enjoy your pyrrhic victory of policy today, because it may well be mainstream media's last.
