media consolidation

National Public Radio plans to cut 7 percent of its workforce and cancel two shows that helped fill the gaps in diverse programming. And 2008 was a year of movement building for media reform and provided a number of actions that remind us why grass roots activism is so important.

Verizon Wireless’ purchase of rural wireless carrier Alltel has been approved. And public interest groups are concerned about the consequences for consumers. And a new Nielsen study refutes one of the broadcasters’ main arguments for more media consolidation.

Calling the FCC’s decision to relax media ownership rules “arrogant” and a “cave-in to corporate interests,” Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) introduced a “Resolution of Disapproval” that would nullify the decision. And a new study on the 2008 presidential primaries shows that news coverage about the “horse race” dominates all other aspects of campaigning.

I love this clip... I just happened upon this old cartoon from SNL, its amazing the kind of media criticism that is let out occasionally on TV. Of course, if you let just a little bit of self-criticism out on your station just at the fringes, then you can later point to it and say, "See we have a healthy system, no need for regulation or an open market...