Barack Obama's Media Agenda: An Exclusive Interview

Barack Obama and John Eggerton of Broadcasting and Cable had an exclusive email interview on media issues. Obama says, among other things: he is committed to working toward a digital-TV transition that is without significant disruption (the switchover would come less than four weeks after his inauguration); said the Federal Communications Commission needs to take merger reviews more seriously; asserted that FCC chairman Kevin Martin, like his predecessor, has tried to 'dismantle' rules that protect the public; and gave his thoughts on whether cable content should be regulated or its channels unbundled. Obama believes the consequence of consolidation has been less diversity, less local news and the parroting of stories across multiple outlets. That, he said, needs to change. In other words, the media is on notice: The potential new sheriff is in town, and he believes there is plenty of cleaning up to do. A must-read. Barack Obama's Media Agenda: An Exclusive Interview - Broadcasting & Cable.