Barack Obama has put the Media Giants that have been buying up smaller newspaper, tv and radio stations on notice that his Dept. of Justice will resume looking into Anti Trust Violations. At the same time he also warned Big Pharma about some of the deals that are suspect of price gouging and problems with the Generics Market. This is a major policy shift from what we have seen in the last 7 yrs and maybe longer.
"I will assure that we will have an antitrust division that is serious about pursuing cases," the Illinois senator told an audience of mostly senior citizens in Oregon.
"There are going to be areas, in the media for example where we're seeing more and more consolidation, that I think (it) is legitimate to ask...is the consumer being served?"
Through all of the Bush admin. it has been a farce when it came to stopping people like Clear Channel, or Murdoch from buying up control of the media in a entire area so the only News people hear is what they want them to hear. That is unless someone happens to have internet access or cable tv. Speaking of cable tv, I hope something can be done about the monopolys they also have in some areas. More from Baracks speech on Sunday,
"We're going to have an antitrust division in the Justice Department that actually believes in antitrust law. We haven't had that for the last seven, eight years," Obama said.
"Some of the consolidations that have been taking place, I think, may be anti-competitive."
Can I get a Amen ? This same Reuters article points out Obama has already said "his administration would work to prevent agreements that kept cheaper generic drugs from entering the market."
This is what a Democratic Pres. looks like when they are not beholding to Big Business and their Lobbyists. A Democrat can and will work for the People and what is right under the laws, not for the US Chamber of Commerce.
The article is short but oh so sweet music to my ears, and probably yours. Here is the link, enjoy. Obama eyes media with promise of antitrust push