The argument is that consumers are so awash in substitutable media that it no longer makes sense to single out broadcasters for special treatment. But in other proceedings, like digital must-carry, we hear a completely different story. Both of these cannot be true. Either broadcasting is special and worthy of special concern or it is not. In sum, today's proceeding is a welcome first step in reinvigorating the public interest standard.
Most broadcasters do a good job of serving the public interest.
But it would be nothing short of miraculous if they all did. We owe it to the public, and we owe it to those broadcasters who are carrying the full load, to better define and enforce the public interest standard.