Thanks for the heads-up, Reid. One of my favorite parts of David Foster Wallace’s Atlantic piece is his reference to a line from former FCC Chair Newton Minow, mostly known for having referred to broadcast TV as a “vast wasteland.” We actually thought he was exaggerating.
Even more prophetic was Minow’s criticism of The Wasteland for failing to understand the difference between “the public interest”–the foundation of federal regulation and licensing–and “what interests the public.”
Not the same. Tune in most any of the right-wing nutfests (see also: repeal of Fairness Doctrine by the Reagan administration) to hear the evidence.
