A few things happened Tuesday I want to comment on.
First, the FCC changed the ownership rules so that owners of newspapers may now own television stations in the same market. Critics decry this change because it allows for information outlets to be further consolidated. The marketplace of ideas may start to look like the shelves of a Soviet grocery store if the same parties can control all the sources of information.
I agree this is a significant concern. However, I'm not sure this particular rule change is necessarily the end of the world. Maybe 10 years ago it would have been more problematic, but now, with information technology, it's possible for lots of smaller players to sprout up and provide alternatives to the few large outlets.
At least it's theoretically possible. This FCC ruling is small potatoes compared to the other policies that threaten to choke off these other voices. The current copyright laws and policies that disproportionately favor large content providers over smaller ones are a much bigger threat. As is the absence of network neutrality: that content providers who are also content deliverers can filter out the content of smaller voices is a much more significant problem.
These are the areas where advocates of open media need to dig in. Insist on balanced copyright policy and network neutrality. Establish clear shield law protections for independent bloggers performing newsgathering functions. Allow no policy obstacle to stand in the way of actually creating an open and vibrant marketplace of ideas. Don't waste time trying to undo this change; just leverage it as a concession to secure the more important things.