Editorial run

Big Media's Silence
By WILLIAM SAFIRE

WASHINGTON
Over the protests of 750,000 viewers and readers, three appointees to the Federal Communications Commission last month voted to permit the takeover of America's local press, television and radio by a handful of mega-corporations.

If allowed to stand, this surrender to media giantism would concentrate the power to decide what we read and see ? in both entertainment and news ? in the hands of an ever-shrinking establishment elite.

To the F.C.C.'s amazement, the Senate Commerce Committee said no. A bill put forward by Ted Stevens, Republican of Alaska, president pro tem of the Senate and defender of local control, would reinstate the limit of 35 percent of market penetration by any one company. A Democratic amendment reasserted the limitation on "cross-ownership" by stations and newspapers. The rollback bill, with bipartisan support, is likely to pass the full Senate this summer.

Tax Cut Casualties
By BOB HERBERT
The City University of New York expects massive dropouts following its unavoidable tuition increase of $800 a year. Meanwhile, President Bush is raking in $4 million and touting his tax cuts.

Championing Children for Whom Reading and Learning Are Difficult
By BRENT STAPLES
The No Child Left Behind Act was supposed to reach out to the learning-disabled. Unlike education lawyer Peter W. D. Wright, the federal government has shown little appetite for the job.

Rudy Park gives Rummy a hard time.
Gary Varvel is worried that you can't get there from here.
Robert Ariail finally finds WMD

posted by Prometheus 6 at 6/26/2003 07:21:40 AM |