Overview
Just
a few big corporations own the vast majority of what you see on
television, hear on the radio, and increasingly, read in the newspaper.
That's Bad News For American Democracy.
Profit-driven big media companies are cutting back on reporters and
relying more on prepackaged programs. As a result, we're not getting
information on the most important civic issues like elections, let
alone a discussion of local affairs.
That's Bad News For American Culture.
Big media companies make national decisions about the music we hear on
the radio, making it difficult for local artists to gain exposure.
While college radio stations and a few other low-power stations remain
the local sources of more diverse musical choices, big media companies
are trying to buy or block those too.
And That's Not What Anyone Would Call Free Press.
Big media giants are watching out for their profiÂts, not the public
interest. The mainstream media rarely covers stories about itself, even
keeping the public in the dark about the FCC's proposed rule to allow
greater media consolidation. Some have also blacklisted artists that
speak out on controversial issues, and threatened not to cover
presidential news conferences that interrupt prime- time programs.
