Robert McChesney
Robert McChesney
airwaves american-critic cell example pay scarce spectrum
And understand that scarce spectrum is used today for example for cell phone operators, they have to pay for the airwaves they use, for their services.
american-critic behind closed commercial decades input interests licenses public took wealthy
The whole process of getting licenses to broadcast, which took place decades ago, was done behind closed doors by powerful lobbies, and wealthy commercial interests got all the licenses with no public input, no congressional input for that matter.
american-critic commercial corporate people superior
Also, the commercial media in a superior position, really, to any other corporate lobby, because where would people hear about commercial media or corporate media criticism, where would they hear criticism of them other than in the commercial media?
american-critic direct government informed name policies result system television
So the system we have in radio and television today is the direct result of government policies that have been made in our name, in the name of the people, on our behalf, but without our informed consent.
american-critic competition
So the competition isn't once you got the license, running the station; it's getting the license.
case classic highest ratings sort tend womb
So that what you tend to see is someone like a Rush Limbaugh, he's the classic case because he's the most successful, he didn't sort of like come out of his mother's womb with the highest ratings in the country.
campaign finance happening reform
But having said that, what's happening with campaign finance reform and our political culture is devastating.
american-critic attitude change towards
But having said that, there's also a sea change in attitude towards media.
affiliates american-critic antagonize fairly good largest local market running terms
If you're running for reelection in the House of Representatives race, you know, it's very important to you that you be on fairly good terms with the local affiliates in the largest market in your area. I mean you don't want to antagonize them.
american-critic applies basically largest markets mostly primary stations tv
Because what's going on now, and this applies mostly to television stations in the largest markets too, but TV stations basically are now the primary receivers of campaign spending.
american-critic among less similar
Because Hightower's problem, among other things, is that advertisers would be a lot less interested in his show than in Limbaugh's, even if they have similar ratings, because of what Hightower is saying.
american-critic finance lobby national opposes reform states united
The number one lobby that opposes campaign finance reform in the United States is the National Association of Broadcasters.
clear corrupt highly indictment nature positions power press relationship shows system
It's clear that there is a highly corrupt relationship between some journalists and those in positions of power, ... This indictment shows the corrupt nature of the press system and its linkage to power.
hit plenty
They've had plenty of opportunities to hit it out of the park,