War coverage could alter U.S. media policy: Reporting may influence debate about ownership

News coverage of the war in Iraq, unprecedented in its frequency and immediacy, may influence something long after the war concludes: Who gets to own the media that provide the news?

Well, it is about time. But I don't think that this will turn out as media activists hope. The FCC, currently chaired by Michael Powell, Colin's son, has always been "liberal" on the ownership rules. This isn't liberal in the true sense of the word. It means that they don't think there should be expansive regulation on broadcast media. However, there is more than enough proof out there that radio and TV stations need to be re-regulated, and not liberalized.