A few weeks ago, Free Press, a politically-liberal "media reform" group, held its National Conference for Media Reform. Rarely have so many been so sure that they know best what should be on television or the radio.
Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich said that his new House Government Reform subcommittee would focus on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and hold "hearings to push media reform right at the center of Washington.” What is driving Kucinich? "We know the media has become the servant of a very narrow corporate agenda," he said, following with "we are now in a position to move a progressive agenda to where it is visible."
This is what we have come to expect from wingnut Kucinich, though it is borderline delusional to suggest that having hundreds of channels at your fingertips comprises a "narrow corporate agenda." And we question whether it is appropriate for Kucinich to use his oversight position to "move a progressive agenda."
Not to be outdone, FCC Commissioner Michael Copps also took shots at broadcasters, saying that in his opinion entertainment has "too little news, too much baloney passed off as news. Too little quality entertainment, too many people eating bugs on reality TV. Too little local and regional music, too much brain-numbing national play-lists."
Mr. Copps, of course, has hundreds of other options besides those he mentioned. For example he could tune in to the rarely-watched but government-mandated PEG (Public, Educational, and Government access) channels designed to be outlets for local and regional fare. Or he could discover "Undercover History," learn how to whip up some tasty etouffee from Emeril, even get his fill of "Phil of the Future." And thanks to the elimination of the "Fairness Doctrine," he can tune into the liberal Air America radio network (though if he is going to do so, he should probably do so quickly).
Commissioner Copps' complaint is particularly ironic given that he presides at the FCC during an era of unprecedented video and audio content choices. Media today is ably demonstrating a creative, functioning market, frenetic with new options and new choices. Content companies attempt to anticipate what consumers want, and respond quickly to consumer choice. And those with less populist tastes have many more targeted channels at their disposal, subsidized for their convenience thanks to the freedom to bundle channels into packages.
And all privately funded, we might add.
Sounds like Commissioner Copps has been watching too much "Fear Factor," and needs to spend more time flipping channels.