SHAME SHAME – I KNOW YOUR NAME
Looks like The New York Times, the nation’s “Paper of Record,” is running their fair share of "all the news that’s fit to print,” just not in a newspaper. More like a do’s and don’ts guide for 1st year Journalism majors. Or maybe an ethics pop quiz…But does this really come as a big surprise to anyone? The Times is, after all, a business conglomerate. And we’ve all seen how trustworthy big corporations are.
In 2002 the NY Times Company had a revenue of $3.1 billion. They publish 19 of the nation’s largest papers; own eight network-affiliated television stations and two New York radio stations; and have more than 40 web sites. (Although this doesn’t even come close to Clear Channel Communications who owns about 1,225 radio stations and 37 television stations. Not to mention their booking control over dozens of music venues.)
The FCC’s June 2nd decision to relax media ownership restrictions will, I’m sure come as good news to the Times Company and even be consolation for the loss of their executive and managing editors as well as any and all credibility.
Somehow this all reeks of dirty ties to the Bush Administration, don't it? Well, maybe I'm becoming one of those people who develops consipracy theories. But maybe not. Check out Eric "Wish He Was My Boyfriend" Alterman's piece from The Nation.

For more information on the FCC's regulations please take a look at The Future of Music Coalition