FCC to Permit Complete Media/Telecom Consolidation

rhwalker22 writes "Today's Washington Post has a piece reviewing some of the major decisions the Federal Communications Commission will be making in the next few months, moves that could fundamentally rewrite the rules for the broadcast media and Internet service providers. Excerpt: 'Opponents of the proposed rules fear that, taken together, they ultimately could lead to a few powerful conglomerates controlling the flow of electronic information, from programming of television and radio news and entertainment to owning the pipes that connect people to the Internet.'"

Comments

huh?

[TCaptain]

Opponents of the proposed rules fear that, taken together, they ultimately could lead to a few powerful conglomerates controlling the flow of electronic information, from programming of television and radio news and entertainment to owning the pipes that connect people to the Internet.

And how this is different from today?

Re:huh?

[DunbarTheInept]

I guess us libertarian geeks will just have to set up our own channels of communications.

The Libertarians' flawed belief that a Corporation Can Do No Wrong is what got us into this situation in the first place.

This is already happening...

[MImeKillEr]

Opponents of the proposed rules fear that, taken together, they ultimately could lead to a few powerful conglomerates controlling the flow of electronic information, from programming of television and radio news and entertainment to owning the pipes that connect people to the Internet.

This is already happening with Radio. Proof? Two words: Clear Channel.

Do you have a KISS-FM in your town? That's Clear Channel. They're putting cookie-cutter pop radio stations (all called KISS-FM) in major markets. In addition to owning KISS-FM in nearly every market, they own TV stations, billboards, concert venues, etc.

Check out this link.
Click here and search for 'kiss' -- you'll find 51 stations, all the same format, all the same manufactured pop stars, all the same type of dopey deejays.

Its radio like this that keeps me listening to CDs.

Obvious

[Qrlx]

Opponents of the proposed rules fear that, taken together, they ultimately could lead to a few powerful conglomerates controlling the flow of electronic information

Shouldn't that be fewer powerful conglomerates?

Deregulation of the telecom industry has brought us the lowest rates ever! Of course, we're paying fees, taxes, tariffs, surcharges, adjustments, and recoupments that didn't even exist before, but look -- deregulation must work because rates are lower.

The situation with deregulation in this country has put the foxes in charge of hen house.

For my opinion of FCC Chairman Michael Powell, read my other post.

Re:Define Irony

[(trb001)]

Irony is the wrong word...hypocrisy is the one you're looking for.

--trb

here comes the dictatorship

[elmegil]

Opponents of the proposed rules fear that, taken together, they ultimately could lead to a few powerful conglomerates controlling the flow of electronic information, from programming of television and radio news and entertainment to owning the pipes that connect people to the Internet.

Which is of course what you would want if you were trying to subvert democracy and freedom...a task some members of the current administration have already made great inroads on.