Just because I read Daily Kos and try to interact as much as possible does not make Kos a major news outlet. In my world, yes, possibly even in your world-but we must move out of our own heads.
As many of you know, if not all of you, GE is trying to sell their propaganda arms to Comcast. There were 6 corporations controlling all the news you see, hear and read, and now there will be 5. Comcast I find particularly criminal. They have managed to escape anti trust laws because of satellite television . They monopolize billboards, sports broadcasts and what channels are available to their viewers - not to mention they fought the merger of Sirius and XM Radio because they're radio stations are loosing listeners -love him or hate him, Howard Stern is still the most innovative and entertaining radio on earth (sorry Thom Hartman) .
This is something we must fight-if AIG was to big to fail , Comcast will be to big to compete against. Stations like Free Speech and Link TV will have even less of a chance of being an option, The Reverend Billy will have even less of an audience and those who act in accordance with the wishes of Comcast will have a free pass on negative press.
I write this because the last few weeks back from vacation has me working during every single broadcast time of Democracy Now, and I have seen Thom Hartmans show maybe twice. Sure, coming to Kos and watching the Daily Show and The Report on DVR keeps me informed, but let us be honest, stories slip through the cracks.
I can think of nothing I care less about than the following
1-Holiday Shopping
2-Trees getting 'lit up'
3-A want to be sport having its star cheat on his spouse
If Comcast is allowed to purchase the propaganda wing of GE , it will report even less relevant 'news'. GE has done a fine job ignoring ethical journalism on all fronts, why should we let Comcast bring them even further down ? I know, MSNBC is 'liberal'. Seriously ? Microsoft and GE have profited more from Iraq and Afghanistan than either Haliburton or Black Water. Has Keith Olberman talked about that for 30 seconds, ever ?
If we allow this Comcast will have control over a broad span of broadcasting. They will own distribution rights, but if a channel goes against the grain Comcast can just not offer it to its customers. It is prepackaged propaganda . It is access to information that they will control-but with a much larger scope.
They will have control of what you see, what you are able to see and coupled with their radio networks and billboard operations they will control entire cities - even more so than now.
Eventually they will be to big to say no to. If a local elected official decides Comcast is not living up to its FCC license by offering a public service (like news) the politician will be either ignored or the tiniest blurb will be replayed so much that the opposition will have proved fruitless.
This is an issue so huge it is being ignored out of fear-fear another corporation may be questioned or fear a shock report will be aired over and over again until political death.
Maybe I am crazy-but look to only 9 years ago - Gregg Palast broke the story on the BBC that Jeb Bush instituted caging lists in Florida A YEAR BEFORE THEY BECAME AN ISSUE, the story was ignored and bam, 8 years and 2 stolen elections later here we are.
If Comcast gets its death grip on the media when they move to control all content on the internet , EVERYONE will be powerless to oppose them . Opposing them will be reported as anti business , anti growth and anti American. The time is now. Congress has still avoided breaking up companies like AIG or any bank or one of the death blows to our economy ExxonMobil . If this purchase is allowed it is a matter of time before everything Comcast wants it will get.
Debates not ratings getters , they will be cancelled. Candidates want something Comcast doesn't-much like now, they will be ignored. Have an opinion you want heard, like less billboards , forget it.
Comcast is about to be the first punch in a series of mergers that will be death blows to our Democracy, our freedoms and our country. Imagine, Rupert Murdoch will be allowed to buy even more media properties and maybe we'll be down to 3 or 4 corporations controlling all we see. Imagine a world where Glenn Beck is THE SANE COMMENTATOR !
Call your Senator, local politicians and write the FCC now, or eventually Comcast and Fox won't let those communications get through.