Radio's Public Option

[Commentary] Putting aside socialism, the health care debate or fracas as it is turning into or how you feel about President Obama, radio is in need of the "public option." There are many who believe the radio industry has become ill under consolidation. Radio is not towers and transmitters as the consolidators would have you believe, it is a local medium that could be terrestrial, could be mobile, could be on the web or anywhere else local content is desired as new generations emerge. The public option calls for basic regulation -- increased and renewed involvement -- from the Federal Communications Commission.