MSN: Point: Global CD revenues fall another 5% in 2001 due to music piracy.

Blogaritaville: Counterpoint: Music labels have increased the average price of a CD by 16% in the last five years, despite a 60% drop in fabrication costs.

The IPFA’s analysis of international 2001 music sales places blame squarely on piracy, despite a lack of a geographic correlation between sales drops and internet access (the UK’s music sales increased this year, and the US’s music sales fell less than the international average, despite a nationwide recession).

Also, they point out that sales of CD singles dropped by 16% while ignoring the fact that the number of CD-single titles published in 2001 dropped by a greater percentage, as record labels try to drive people to buying full albums.

Unlike entertainment industries, consumers don’t have a united voice, and as a result the media reports whatever the PACs and consortiums feed them.