Check out Bill Moyers on media consolidation. Kevin Martin (a Republican, bien sur) convened the FCC's final public hearing on media consolidation on just five business days' notice:

He intends to lift the longstanding ban that keeps one company from owning both the daily newspaper and a radio or television station in the same market.

From the hearings in Seattle:

SUSAN MCCABE: We told you a year ago, when you came to Seattle, that media consolidation is a patently bad idea, no ifs ands or buts about it. So with all due respect, I ask you: What part of that didn't you understand?

Do you think that another year of listening to the same homogenized, formulaic, mindless crap that passes for news and entertainment on the commercial dial has suddenly caused us to say,

"Please, I'd like a little more of that."

And as soon as he got back to DC, Martin went ahead with the consolidation plans. Public input meant nothing to him. What a surprise; he's a Republican, and no doubt has his job with Rupert Murdoch all lined up. Read more…