Supreme Court Ruling: Big Media Consolidation

[TayTay]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/13/AR2005061300532_pf.html

Wow! This is big. More comments later (when I am not working.)

[whometense]

1. Oh, THANKS!!

This wasn't on my radar today, so thanks for the WONDERFUL NEWS!!!

[TayTay]

2. Wow

This doesn't roll back everything, but it is a promising start. Given JK's recent comments on Big Media and their abrogation of their job as watchdogs on AMerican Government and policy, I would expect a PR from the office.

[whometense]

3. Shows how low our expectations have sunk

that any ruling from anywhere that upholds some kind of fairness is an unexpected delight.

[Dr Ron]

4. Also satisfied with holding the status quo

While conservatives are hoping to use the courts to push a far right agenda, we're basically hoping that the court takes the status quo over a move to the right. Ideally we'd see the courts helping to do something about the power of the current media companies, but know there is no chance they will intervene to limit them.

NY Times Magazine had an interesting article on how the courts have been more moderate, and representative of the people than the extremists in Congress. Obviously I consider disatisfaction with Congress to be a consequence of the partisan GOP rule. I have a portion of the article on LUTD at http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=1070

[whometense]

5. More excellent media-related news

Radio vets purchase Ed Schultz; Liberal talk gains business cred

Two radio executives who made Clear Channel and Rush Limbaugh household are to announce today they have purchased The Ed Schultz show, America’s fastest-growing talk show in the country, RAW STORY has learned.

- snip -

The deal puts the North Dakota talker in the driver’s seat of a burgeoning liberal radio revolution, a sign that those who made right wing radio the ubiquitous voice it is today see financial promise in liberal talk.

- snip -

Schultz’s producer James Holm, who hails from the straight-talking vein, says he’s interested to see how the right will respond.

“This is going to be a hard pill for established right-wing media to swallow,” Holm told RAW STORY. “They’ve championed the talk-down culture and I guarantee you that Drudge is not going to touch this, because there is no way for the right to spin this story to make progressive radio or Ed Schultz look bad. This is a clear victory, and it’s gotta have them shaking in their boots.”

Schultz, too, believes the deal demonstrates progressive talk radio’s profitability and permanence. He says he’s looking forward to being part of the conversation in the midterm 2006 elections and the 2008 presidential race.

[whometense]

6. Michael Jackson verdict

to be read at 4:35 pm ET. (headline at MSNBC.com)

Time for Kerry's DSM speech, say around Wednesday or so????

[MH1]

7. Cleared of all charges.

Station WHAT usually has Randi Rhodes but apparently pre-empted her today.

I wasn't following the details but I am always glad when someone is found not guilty, if the evidence just wasn't there and the witnesses weren't credible. Which sounded like the situation here, from the occasional bits that I just couldn't avoid.

[whometense]

9. Good news.

Now they'll have no "oh-my-god-what-will-happen-to-Michael-in-jail stories ad nauseam.

Nothing more to see here, "journalists." Move along.

[MH1]

8. Thanks, this is good news.

At least it slows the march.