Copyright protects corporate monopoly rights over culture and provides much of the profits to media conglomeratesm encouraging the wholesale privatization of our common culture.
Robert Waterman McChesneyThe number one lobby that opposes campaign finance reform in the United States is the National Association of Broadcasters.
Robert Waterman McChesneyAs the mainstream media has become increasingly dependent on advertising revenues for support, it has become an anti-democratic force in society.
Robert Waterman McChesneyWhen the government allocates monopoly rights to frequency, and there are only a handful in each community, it's picking the winners in the competition.
Robert Waterman McChesneyThe Internet, too, has strong attributes of a public good, and has undermined the โprivate goodโ attributes of old media. Internet service providers obviously can exclude people, but the actual content -the values, the ideas- can be shared with no loss of value for the consumer. It is also extremely inexpensive and easy to share material. Sharing is built into the culture and practices of the Web and has made it difficult for the subscription model to be effective.
Robert Waterman McChesney