Reply #72: Actually, I'm not trying to be positive, I'm trying to be truthful.

[Berry Cool]

The whole "need of TV and radio stations and networks to serve in the public interest" was predicated on the principle that when one obtained a broadcasting license, one had purchased the right to use a band on a limited spectrum of frequencies that belonged to the people. Therefore, you had to spend at least part of your time serving the people. If the people complained about how you used (or misused) your license, you could lose it.

That's still true of local stations, but with networks it's gone the way of the dinosaur, it seems.

To add: Everyone these days can have an audience, if they want one. But they don't have a right to a large audience. These days, the right to a large audience is determined by those who attract the most attention. However they attract it. And it's determined by however those who control the gateway to the larger audiences determine they have the right to it.