Ronnie's Blog Spot

Media Ownership

Who owns what is an interesting question. Although theoretically it appears that there are more options available (via the internet) the reality is that the media continues to be big business with just a handful of owners – and profits are the motivating factor. The Chicago Tribune, one of the oldest and most venerable of newspapers -- was sold just a few days to a real estate developer – who has acknowledged that he is not really interested in news – but he is interested in making money. But do people in Chicago really care. Apparently not, according to a Los Angeles Times articles posted online as I write this. (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-mood4apr04,1,6048822.story?coll=la-headlines-business) The article notes that what moves people is not who owns the paper – or even if the paper publishes. But if the city’s baseball team is sold – something that has been hinted at – that stirs people’s passions.
A few things to comment upon – the most recent O.J. scandal about how he would have done it if he had done it. I still find it interesting to look at how that appalling sweeps week special came into being from the big boys – and girls – at Fox. But it was the affiliates who balked at showing the special and forced Fox sovereign Rupert Murdoch to cancel what even he labeled an “ill-considered project.” So at times the voice of reason can be heard – and even listened to and heeded.
And again returning to who owns what? It may be couched in other language but media monopoly does appear to be the name of the game. Who are our real media moguls – General Electric? Disney? At least Time Warner started out as separate media companies. The FCC doesn’t help either, with regulations that permit one company to own three stations in a market where there are 18 stations. How many markets have 18 stations anyway? Gainesville? Jacksonville? How do you define that market anyway in this day of cable and satellite? And in which language do you do your counting In English? Does it count if as in Los Angeles or New York you have Spanish TV, Chinese TV, Russian or Vietnamese TV? Or in Detroit, Arabic?
Finally, that article on the morning shows goes right to the heart of what the morning shows are about. They are full of fluff and they are full of fun and offer very little of substance. But they do entertain. My morning show of choice when I do watch something is Today. And I have taken to watching it whenever I am in a hotel overnight. I love getting up in the morning with a bit more time to spare and watching Katie and Matt, now Meredith and Matt do their thing. What they put on the air is like the Living sections of the newspapers. I am entertained and amused, especially because it looks like they – Meredith and Matt – are having so much fun doing what they do and talking to the people they invite on the show. But truthfully, I have not focused on how much of what is aired is pertinent to the business holdings of the company that owns NBC – General Electric. They’re not pitching light bulbs, but then again neither does GE that much these days. That article has given me something to think about and the next time I tune into Today, I will still enjoy it, but perhaps with a more critical eye.

posted by Ronnie @ 3:12 PM