What was exposed by the "payola" scandal in the music industry?

The payola scandal in the music industry revealed the unethical practice of record labels bribing radio stations to play specific songs more frequently. This manipulation of airplay ensured that certain tracks received increased exposure, irrespective of their actual popularity or artistic merit. As a result, the public and industry insiders discovered that the supposed spontaneity of radio playlists was often compromised by financial incentives, undermining competition and the principles of artistic meritocracy in music promotion. This scandal had significant implications for the industry, leading to greater scrutiny of radio practices and regulatory measures to combat corrupt practices in music promotion.