Dispersed media ownership serves democratic values

DISPERSED MEDIA OWNERSHIP SERVES DEMOCRATIC VALUES
[SOURCE: Seattle Times, AUTHOR: C. Edwin Baker, University of Pennsylvania]
[Commentary] The Federal Communications Commission is considering whether to reduce restrictions on broadcast-station ownership, an action that would permit greater media and press concentration. This is a bad idea. Bad for audiences, for citizens, and for democracy. Dispersed media ownership, ideally local ownership, serves democratic values, while conglomerate ownership and media mergers, which would be the result of reduced ownership restrictions, do the opposite.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003874286_bakerop10.html?syndication=rss