Given that the FTC and DoJ already enforce antitrust legislation, it seems unethical that the FCC also enforce such codes, specifically focused on our particular business.
I believe DWI should support the proposed changes. The company would benefit from the opportunity to expand our media properties both horizontally and vertically. It would also give us greater opportunity to exit the business should we so desire in future. Ethical concerns about media consolidation are largely unfounded, especially in light of the way that the Internet provides a low-cost voice for alternative media outlets. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 has significantly reduced barriers to entry in the television business, so the free market can dictate which outlets will have an audience and which will not. Moreover, the FCC's Fairness Doctrine, upheld by the Supreme Court in 1969's Red Lion Broadcasting vs. The Federal Communication Commission case, allows for dissenting and alternative views to be given due air time, reducing concern about domination of viewpoints by big media outlets. In light of the protections alternate voices receive, we have no ethical reason to oppose this proposed legislation, and we feel it may benefit our company.
Works Cited
(2006). Mega-Merger Mania. The Nation. Retrieved December 16, 2008 at http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060703/klinenberg
No author. (2008). Hart-Scott-Rodino. Federal Trade Commission. Retrieved December 16, 2008 at http://www.ftc.gov/bc/hsr/
McChesney, Robert W. & Nichols, John. (2008). Who'll Unplug Big Media? Stay Tuned. The Nation. Retrieved December 16, 2008 at http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080616/mcchesney
No author. (2008). Telecommunications Act of 1996. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved December 16, 2008 at http://www.fcc.gov/telecom.html
No author. (1969) Red Lion Broadcasting Co., Inc. v. Federal Communications Commission. Electronic Privacy Information Center. Retrieved December 16, 2008 at http://epic.org/free_speech/red_lion.html
Klinenberg, Eric. (2006). Mega-Merger Mania. The Nation.
McChesney, Robert W. & Nichols, John. (2008). Who'll Unplug Big Media? Stay Tuned. The Nation.
No author. (2008). Telecommunications Act of 1996. Federal Communications Commission.
No author. (1969) Red Lion Broadcasting Co., Inc. v. Federal Communications Commission. Electronic Privacy Information Center.
