Why Give Away the Airwaves?

WHY GIVE AWAY THE AIRWAVES?
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Ralph Nader & Matthew Hale, Seton Hall]
[Commentary] Two interesting responses to the June 2nd op-ed by FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, "The Price of Free Airwaves." Ralph Nader suggests the government charge radio and television stations rent for use of public airwaves. Some of the rental income could adequately finance studios, reporters and producers for audience networks. Professor Hale, whose work was quoted by Commissioner Copps, suggests that broadcast stations should be required to create an online searchable database of their news, public affairs and children’s programming. Unless the public has access to such a database, stations can easily continue to skirt their duty to serve the public interest.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/07/opinion/l07airwaves.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
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