The RIAA is losing control over the distribution channels and they don't like it. For years the major labels have done everything they can to discourage new artists, for the RIAA to claim they are protecting the artists, is like the fox guarding the hen house. They raise issues to cloud the debate, about licensing etc. Granted licensing will be the outcome eventually, but the RIAA membership wants to control the licensing. That is the situation we have now, it wouldn't be a change, it would be an expansion of their control.
Singles are virtually non-existent any more and the ones that are, are over priced.
Downloads are the answer there. MP3 has given the music fan choices they never had before. I think that scares the major labels to death. They have gone after new technologies that have the potential to change the situation with the zeal of a rabid dog that has been cornered, just as they did when cassette tapes came on the market, when CD recorders came on the market. Rather than embracing that market, the RIAA members have actively worked to totally maintain control over the distribution networks, to limit the amount of music and artists available.