As I mentioned, alone these local broadcasters and newspapers for that matter can’t survive alone. Look at how craigslist has affected the classified revenues of local papers, long a mainstay of revenue. Look at the high quality citizen journalism we have online that is another source of competition for local broadcasters.

Contrary to what many people believe there is actually a de-consolidation trend. Adam Thierer over at the Technology Liberation Front has been chronicling this trend as did Washington Post reporter, Frank Ahrens in a recent book review.

“Here’s a partial list of recent upheavals since [Klinenberg] wrote his book: Viacom split in two. Clear Channel is selling its TV stations and one-third of its radio stations. The New York Times sold its TV stations. The Knight Ridder newspaper chain dissolved. Tribune sold TV stations and may yet be broken up. Walt Disney sold its radio stations. Emmis Communications sold its TV stations. Wave after wave of deconsolidation.”

http://www.techliberation.com/archives/042081.php

Seeing as how the FCC is required by law to examine local broadcast ownership rules every four years to make sure that the rules are necessary in light of current competitive realities, we merely are advocating for the current situation of local broadcasters to be considered as they are the only ones burdened by these outdated regulations.

As I mentioned, the landscape has changed dramatically in the past few years let alone since 1987. My argument applies to the fairness doctrine and media ownership in that we want more diversity and multiple voices for consumers. With that goal in mind, we should let local broadcasters have the freedom to tailor programming to the needs of the community. One size fits all regulations like the fairness doctrine are obsolete in today’s media marketplace.

Not a whole lot of competition to spur quality if the stations are all on the same team…

My girlfriend’s a big fan of your keytar work, BTW.

So what would that look like? Not disputing, just asking.

The ownership rules need to be updated to reflect the vast changes in the media landscape that include the explosion of online, cable and satellite media outlets. Given so many choices, individual broadcasters cannot compete for the advertising dollars they need to survive. Thus, these decades-old rules should be updated to permit ownership combinations in local markets that will allow local broadcast stations to compete and continue providing free, local broadcast service, including critical lifeline emergency and AMBER Alert information.