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Tag(s): Broadcasting; Censorship; Federal Agencies Enforcement; Media-News
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November 27, 2007 at 10:48:14

Headlined on 11/27/07:
Censored: Media Consolidation Debate

by Steve Fournier Page 1 of 1 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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News censors for the embedded mass media have edited out all coverage of the debate now in progress over consolidation in broadcasting. The Federal Communications Commission is poised to roll back regulations limiting the issuance of broadcasting licenses to owners of multiple news outlets, but don't look for public discussion of the government's action. Major broadcasters have turned their backs on the story, as has the ink-on-paper press, and no wonder: their branch of the entertainment industry is the sole beneficiary of the commission's unpopular move, and they'll be forever beholden to the reluctant regulators if any part of it gets through.

Right-wingers who make up the majority of the commission have long wanted to ease restrictions on broadcasters and media companies. Expressing passionate concern over depressed profit margins and stock prices in the news industry, the regulators succeeded a few years ago in loosening ownership rules, but a federal court invalidated most of the rule changes.

The zealots are back with a pared-down version of their deregulation scheme, whereby newspapers will be allowed to own TV stations in the 20 biggest media markets, a practice that's prohibited under current regulations. The prospect of obscene proft offered by this bit of deregulation seems to have dulled the journalistic edge just about everywhere. Try Google for news about "media consolidation" and you will find almost nothing of recent vintage: over the past three weeks or so, a few pieces in the Seattle Times, a couple of AP items, one CNN segment that's disappeared from the Internet, and that's about it.

The prospect of unrestrained censorship may be equally tempting to the nation's news-mongers. How much easier it will be to print lies in the morning rag if you can confirm them on TV at six with a pretty face and a hint of cleavage. Not that censorship is conducted with any embarassment today, even without new indulgences from the FCC. News taboos are everywhere. Besides this story, notice what else can't be mentioned:

Over a million dead in Iraq because of the USA

9/11 was an inside job

Most US elected officials, regardless of party, are thugs

Almost 4,000 US soldiers are dead for no reason

Fuel burning is lethal to humanity

Elections are fixed

Racists, not weather, destroyed New Orleans

George Bush is insane

In private, no newsman could fail to acknowledge that each of these assertions is supported by considerable evidence. In public, no newsman would dare mention any of them, much less discuss them. Media consolidation will facilitate the disinformers and disable reliable reporters of events.

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3 comments

Kevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. Kevin Gosztola is also a student activist who believes in questioning the way America's systems work(its electoral sys...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Kevin GosztolaKevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. Kevin Gosztola is also a student activist who believes in questioning the way America's systems work(its electoral sys...

to see more of bio, click on member name

You left out Impeachment

Impeachment cannot be talked about either.

Or is impeachment part of "George W. Bush is insane"?

by Kevin Gosztola (230 articles, 127 quicklinks, 72 diaries, 892 comments) on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 2:42:05 PM

Hartford, Connecticut, lawyer, grandfather, Air Force veteran.
Green Party Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, First District Connecticut: www.fournierforcongress.org

Author/publisher, Current Invective www.currentinvective.com
Steve FournierHartford, Connecticut, lawyer, grandfather, Air Force veteran.
Green Party Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, First District Connecticut: www.fournierforcongress.org

Author/publisher, Current Invective www.currentinvective.com

Impeachment will out

I keep thinking impeachment's going to be talked about.

by Steve Fournier (32 articles, 17 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 43 comments) on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 2:48:22 PM

Currently I'm a cartoonist and contributing writer for The New Orleans Levee. For those wishing to view my work you can see my latest at: nolevee.com
Mr MCurrently I'm a cartoonist and contributing writer for The New Orleans Levee. For those wishing to view my work you can see my latest at: nolevee.com

Never give up ...

When Michael Powell was head of the FCC they tried to push the same proposal. As I remember it that was one of the few times that public outrage forced them to back down.

Well, these bastards never give-up and one would hope the people can once again rise to the occasion.

It's hard to imagine though that the news coming from the M$M could get any worse then it already is, but if these bastards get their way it will.

If this indeed goes through you can bet the bank that the bastards will put their full force in taking control of the information over the Internet next. Just last week I believe it was the 2nd in command of the Homeland (In)security was railing about how the 9/11 Truther sites were recruiting magnets for terrorists. Add on the insane bill HR 155, The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act, which is also something everyone should be railing against, that sailed through the Congress and is being "fast-tracked" through the Senate, meaning most the so-called representatives of the people won't even read it - it seems all they have to see is the word "terrorism" in the title and that's enough for these bozo's - and if this indeed becomes law it will, along with the consolidation of the news, if it happens, be the last two nails in the coffin of freedom of information.

by Mr M (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 15 diaries, 1674 comments) on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 8:50:30 AM