There are certainly other, and perhaps better, mechanisms that will achieve the same goal. I propose establishing locally elected boards, to hear testimony and review the actions of local broadcasters. Those local boards would then submit a binding recommendation to the FCC on whether a local broadcaster ought to be licensed to serve the community. That will give citizens much more influence over what is broadcast in their community. I would also propose shortening the term of the broadcast license to four years, instead of the current eight.
Lets give citizens a meaningful say over the most powerful institution in the community . . .
You will notice that none of these proposals increases the size of the federal government. None of these proposals interfere with the free speech rights of anybody. These are solutions to the problems of community access and real community input. There may be better ideas, you may have some of your own. But escape we must.