That's what this move by the F.C.C. was yesterday!
Bailing out the FAILING MSM NEWSPAPERS!!!!
"F.C.C. Reshapes Rules Limiting Media Industry" by STEPHEN LABATON
WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission approved two new rules on Tuesday that are likely to reshape the nation’s media landscape by setting new parameters for the size and scope of the largest news and cable companies.
One rule would tighten the reins on the cable television industry. By stipulating that no one company can control more than 30 percent of the market, the rule introduces fresh regulation to an industry where there has been little of it, angering both the cable industry and Republican commissioners, who favor a free-market approach.
The other rule, which gives owners of newspapers more leeway to buy radio and television stations in the largest cities, is a step in the direction of deregulation. It is intended to help the newspaper industry, which is suffering from dwindling advertising revenue, and to recognize that the historical conditions that gave rise to cross-ownership restrictions have changed, now that more news sources are available on the Internet and cable television.
Yaaaay, bloggers!!!!
And if the papers TOLD the TRUTH, they wouldn't be hurting!
But the change drew criticism from newspaper executives, who said it was too modest to be meaningful, and from prominent lawmakers and commission Democrats, who called it a Christmas present to the nation’s largest conglomerates.
Both rules are certain to be reviewed by courts in the coming months. On Capitol Hill, some lawmakers said Tuesday that they would try to undo the rule about the newspaper industry.
The decisions were a blow to Comcast Communications, the nation’s largest cable company, which has grown substantially over the last decade through a series of acquisitions and will now be unable to buy more cable companies unless it can get the order overturned by a court. By taking Comcast out of any bidding, the new rule was also a setback to smaller cable operators thinking of selling to other companies.
As for the relaxation of the newspaper-broadcast rule, telecommunications lawyers said it could pave the way for Rupert Murdoch to win permanent waivers to control two television stations in New York, as well as The New York Post and The Wall Street Journal.
The change was a modest, though vital step toward assisting the newspaper industry, which is struggling financially as advertising and readership migrates rapidly to the Internet.
That''s US, readers!
YOU and ME!!!
Martin: “We cannot ignore the fact the media marketplace is considerably different than when the media ownership rule was put in place more than 30 years ago.”
And Thank God for that!
If all we had was MSM, this country would be a complete shithole!
The cable television industry is raising rates faster than the rate of inflation and failing to offer consumers enough lower-price choices in subscription packages.
Yeah, NO SHIT!
Michael J. Copps, a Democratic commissioner who has led a nationwide effort against relaxing the media ownership rules:
“In the final analysis, the real winners today are businesses that are in many cases quite healthy, and the real losers are going to be all of us who depend on the news media to learn what’s happening in our communities and to keep an eye on local government.”
Yeah, that's ME and YOU, readers!
We lose out -- AGAIN!
And the stink Times is going to be protected!
For opposite reasons, both rules approved on Tuesday were sharply criticized by industry.
John F, Sturm, president of the Newspaper Association of America:
"[The new cross-ownership rule] is a baby step in the actions needed to maintain the vitality of local news, in print and over-the-air, in all communities across the nation.”
Mr. Sturm said he favored eliminating the cross-ownership ban completely.
On the other hand, the cable television industry accused Mr. Martin of once again imposing unfair regulations on it.
David L. Cohen, an executive vice president of Comcast:
"[It is perverse to see the commission approving huge mergers by the Bell companies while now telling cable companies, who compete toe-to-toe with the Bells, that they may not also grow larger and achieve the same efficiencies.”
Which usually means shittier service that costs more!
In a letter to lawmakers from Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez, the administration expressed support for Mr. Martin."
Bush WINS AGAIN!!!!!!
Amazing, isn't it, readers?
Lame-duck?
More like Potent-Dictator, 'eh?
