[Media Caucus] Media paragraph in CS benchmarks

[Ronald Koven]

Dear All --

Please let's get real. How does one achieve "diversity of media ownership"
if there is no privatization of air waves when they are originally
controlled by the State?

The spectrum is everywhere recognized as a public good. There could be no
private stations unless parts of it had been assigned to private companies.

Further, if/when parts of the spectrum are assigned to associative
stations, that, too, is privatization.

Privatization means removal from direct, immediate State control.

In broadcasting, privatization is not permanent. It involves licensing for
set periods, subject to renewal reviews.

The wording that was submitted does not call for privatization. It leaves
open that possibility by speaking of transformation into public service
and/or privatization.

Mixed systems with both public service and private channels are now the
norm in European democracies. This is generally recognized as the
healthiest arrangement to encourage democracy. It is aso the model that has
been followed in such transition countries as Poland, Czech Republic,
Slovakia, Hungary, etc. by governments of both the left and right.

The prejudice against private media is not shared by mainstream opinion,
either in the media world or in the general public. If that prejudice is
what one wants the Media Caucus to reflect, then maybe groups who speak for
real world media don't have any basis for working with those who want
merely to reflect a virtual (I was tempted to say fantasy) world.

If you reject independent private media, why should anyone be surprised if
they then, in turn, reject the rejecters ? 

What with China and its allies out to undermine the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and such, it seems to me that we have bigger fish to fry
than seeking to create new divisions based on a parochial spirit of
exclusion. 

Best, Rony Koven