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The first sentence in a Tweet posted by Senator Bernie Sanders this morning made a lot of sense. By the second sentence, I was reminded of how dangerous progressive mentality in general and Sanders in particular are to American freedoms.
Here’s the first sentence, one that he paraphrased from an article he linked to by a far-left journalist:
“Corporate conglomerates and hedge fund vultures have decimated independent and local news.”
I partially agree with this statement. The consolidation of news outlets by corporations is having a reductive effect on both newsrooms across America as well as diversity of thought in how media reports the news. The idea that hedge fund “vultures” play into this is questionable, but if you want to get a negative response from the left, invoke hedge funds. But the basic idea is sound: Independent and local news outlets are being strangled out, mostly because they’re failing to innovate their broadcasting methods. It’s not that local or independent news can’t be popular; NOQ Report itself is an example of the potential of independent news succeeding as we’ve tripled in traffic since March.
By the second sentence in his Tweet, he addresses the problem by essentially saying only government can solve the problem by swooping in with a their hammer and treating everything like a nail.
Corporate conglomerates and hedge fund vultures have decimated independent and local news.
We'll protect independent news and a free press by enforcing antitrust laws, empowering journalists to form unions and increasing investment in local public media. https://t.co/xO7Kd9Kkw9
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) August 27, 2019
Let’s break that down. Enforcing antitrust laws against corporate media does not apply here. There are no antitrust laws being broken. Not even close. Yes, there is contraction as big players buy up smaller outlets, but the fact that there are multiple big players means competition is alive and well. If News Corp bought CNN and MSNBC, there would be a problem. But what’s happening with corporate media buyouts has absolutely nothing to do with enforcing antitrust laws. Like Elizabeth Warren, Sanders needs to be reminded of the efficacy of Ronald Reagan’s policy on consumer welfare.
Next, he mentions empowering journalists to form unions. That’s like saying he’s going to empower the sun to rise in the east. It’s happening whether Sanders makes changes or not. There is absolutely nothing stopping journalists from forming unions. Any attempt to stop journalists from forming unions is against the law. They are fully empowered. No action required.
Lastly and most importantly, he mentions increasing investment in local public media. Nope. That’s not his job. It’s not Washington DC’s job. If anything, we need to remove government intervention, funding, and oversight. There should be no such thing as “public media,” aka state-financed (and -controlled) media. It’s the responsibility of the people to fund local media. We are independent and actively ask our readers to donate to our site to help us get the message out to more people, but we would never ask government to pitch in. If they offered, we’d decline. Any time you open your door to public funds, government intrusion and control walk through that door as well.
Poor Bernie. He came so close to saying something rational. His embrace of local and independent media is positive. The solutions he offers to “help” them are idiotic. State-funded “independent” media is an oxymoron.
We are currently forming the American Conservative Movement. If you are interested in learning more, we will be sending out information in a few weeks.
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