On February 8, 1996, President Clinton signed, with a “digital pen“[1] the Telecommunications Act of 1996 , an “overhaul” of the 1934 Act. The goal of the legislation was to “let anyone” in to open markets up to more competition, promote innovation and lower prices. It created the FCC regulator but actually allowed industry giants to merge and monopolise corporate communication ownership. [2, 3, 4, 5]
By 2017 “six giant conglomerates control a staggering 90% of what media consumers read, watch, and listen to” (Comcast, Disney, Time Warner, 21st Century Fox, CBC and Viacom), compared to 50 in 1983. This consolidation of the media makes it easier to control the “trusted” narrative, and can be used to influence government policy and hide vested interests. [6, 7]
Is the real news coming from citizen journalists seeking the truth, or the “Mockingbird Media“?
Is the narrative controlled, and if so, who’s directing it?