The largest media companies had exceeded ownership limits so instead of penalizing them, Michael and the Republicans on the committee jammed through rules that extended ownership limits and gave Big Media even more headroom for even more acquisitions (like this one). The FCC received a million or so calls and letters opposing the extension, but MP ignored all of them [because, you know, I can do anything I want and you can't stop me]. I watched him on one of the "news talk" shows insisting through his teeth, over and over, that allowing fewer Big Media companies to control more media would increase diversity of viewpoints in the news we receive.

Don't expect any help from Congress.

Both the House and the Senate came up with bipartisan fake bills that dropped ownership limits a few points but had no practical effect. They also did not address all the other rules that Michael and his two tame Republicans had issued at the time.

I know this is a representative Republic, but didn't the founders intend for Congress to represent us, rather than their own greed?

I think that "Break the law, get a free pass" (if you're big business) doesn'tseem like a great way to run the country. Let your Senatorand HouseRepresentative know what you think.

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