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June 8, 2003 As a fan of deregulation and free markets I am about to say something that is completely contradict to my values. I think that the current deregulation of the FCC is actually a bad idea. Generally, when you take all of the constraints off a market it serves the consumer in the form of lower prices. Free trade has a way of improving quality, lowering prices, and sparking new product development. These are values that I hold dear and as a consumer I want a lot of choices. Can you imagine you want to buy a car and you have to pick between a Chevy or a Ford. Not that they are bad cars, but dont you want a choice? With the deregulation one company could own all of the radio, television and newspapers in a community. Those who support the deregulation say that this will allow more choices for the viewers, and will allow a wider range of political and social views. I think the model for this idea is the many fox networks. Who would have thought that the company that brings you The Simpsons or When Animals Attack would be the same company that would also spawn Fox News. So it can happen. But do you know why? Fox is out to make money and if there wasnt a conservative audience to capitalize on they wouldnt have the format, or the political view, that they currently hold. I dont begrude them that at all. But what if there was a network that was more invested in getting a certain agenda out there? Would they be willing to lose money to further a cause? You bet they would. And they would be able to get advertising revenue from industries that support their causes. I guess the best example of the dark side of deregulation is AOL/Time Warner. Isnt it a coincidence that the same cover story from Time magazine is often a lead story on CNN and on your welcome screen on AOL. News is news and there are only so many stories, this is a granted issue. But have you noticed that all three sources seem to promote the same point of view. Take the SUV issue. A train can hit some bumpkin who is parked on the track. You never hear if the vehicle is a station wagon, a mini van, or a convertible. But if it is an SUV that will be their lead in. Dont believe me? Thats what I am here for. You can check out the following stories for yourself, Ill let the headlines tell the story. 7/10/02: SUV carashes, dangles from Florida Interstate; 6/12/2000: Driver of SUV shoots occupant of car that hit him; and finally 5/6/200: Man arrested after SUV crashes into homes second floor. So, is there a theme here of pointing out that it was an SUV? Why is this even relevant? During the Gore offensive, one of his token issues was that SUVs are ruining the planet, they are unsafe, and he really wants to get rid of them so your family wont get run over. At the time, Ted Turner was still setting policy at CNN, and was no small contributor to the democratic party. Deregulation of the airwaves is not going to insure that more voices get heard for one simple reason: it is so expensive. It is hard to imagine that a free market in media is going to allow the little guys a voice. Do you own a television station, or a radio station, or a newspaper? Me neither. Mass media is the domain of huge multination conglomerates and there isnt already any room for the little guys. Is taking away the current statues really going to change that, or is it just going to offer up the public like a fat cow before a wolf pack? When government works best it is protecting the taxpayers from unfair treatment from any industry. A monopoly, in any business, does not protect the public. ------------ About the author: Edward Lyell is politically active in New Mexico and has been a small business owner and currently works as professional counselor. Once a great Democrat, he became another one of the disenfranchised during the Clinton presidency. He categorizes himself as a firm believer in Objectivism, free trade, and the Constitution. Email Edward Lyell: Edsterl@aol.com Comment on this column in the forum. ------------ |
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