January 07, 2011
Would Comcast takeover of NBC boost nonprofit news?
Later this month, the FCC is expected to approve Comcast’s acquisition of NBC. Recently the New York Times reported that this deal includes a little-noticed plan that may stimulate the growth of nonprofit news organizations. How much might this promise really mean?...
Summarizing Comcast’s latest proposal, the Times said: “Comcast is pledging to establish partnerships between news nonprofits and at least five of the 10 NBC television stations that are owned by NBC Universal. The partnerships will be modeled on an existing relationship between KNSD, the NBC-owned station in San Diego, and Voice of San Diego, an innovative news organization that relies on donations from foundations, corporations and readers.”
According to the Times, “Comcast did not identify where it would set up partnerships—but along with San Diego, NBC operates stations in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, Miami, San Jose, Calif., Dallas-Fort Worth, Washington and West Hartford, Conn.”
Despite this journalistic olive branch, some media watchdogs still strenuously oppose this media mega-merger.
For instance, Save the News noted: “Comcast has a long history of opposing and obstructing local journalism efforts at public access and community television stations. As part of the agreements that give cable companies local monopolies, companies like Comcast are supposed to provide channels and support for public, educational and government access stations. For example, in Philadelphia, Comcast’s home town, the cable giant blocked the establishment of local community TV stations for decades. Given this history, Comcast’s sudden commitment to nonprofit news seems suspect.”
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