My blog post about the FCC's decision to allow media
conglomerates greater leeway in acquiring outlets in the same
area elicited a number of responses from readers angered by
the move. My thesis that the consolidation of advertising
power will negatively impact the Internet also received
support.
"This is outrageous," e-mailed one reader. "The FCC has made
it inevitable that a couple of media giants will own most of
what we see, hear and read. And, yes, soon enough they'll own
the Internet too."
"Does anybody with half a brain honestly believe that having
all of your TV stations, radio stations and newspapers owned
by the same media conglomerates will be a benefit to the
local community?" wrote another reader. "Absolutely not!
With big conglomerate strength, big newspapers will push out
smaller newspapers. They'll offer nicer discounts and profit
sharing deals to grocery stores and gas stations (most of
which are chains themselves) to not carry smaller papers."
"This whole issue is just so damned depressing. I already did
meet with staffers of my senator, but it was not encouraging.
We've seen the complete homogenization and gentrification of
our environment - from the stores available to the stock they
have to the entertainment and information outlets available.
The means of information and entertainment have all
progressed in the same way. A medium that shows incredible
potential gives away content. Then a little advertising is
sold to 'allow for a little growth.' Then it's having to sit
through fifteen minutes of marketing to be rewarded with ten
minutes of programming. It's already happened to print,
radio, TV, the Internet... satellite radio will be next."
12:24:19 PM 
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