The fact that candidates on both sides of the aisle are complaining tells you something. And I think Goodman hits the nail on the head in a way that you'll never see other "journalists" do because they're part of the problem. There's a reason it's call the "public airwaves." No matter how big, media organizations license it. They don't own it. They are supposed to use it for the public good. Like Goodman, I don't think that limiting votr choice falls under that description.

Goodman hits the nail on the head. The air waves belong to the American public, to be used for the public good. They are not to be used for propaganda or political gain for an organization. If they had been used for the public good, the electronic voting machine problems would have been so thoroughly covered they would be a thing of the past---not still occurring in these elections; Bush would have been prosecuted for war crimes, if we had gone to war in the first place if the press had really done their investigative job. I lay just as much blame on the press as I do this administration for the mess we are in now, both financially and our position in the world. However, not to be let off the hook are those Americans who 'don't ... More »

The opinion piece cites improper media business control over free speech in the political process, and the big money threats upon democracy by the people.

By a journalist about election journalism: "The majority of the money that candidates are forced to raise is for TV ads. They are running to be the nation's top public servant. The networks should provide the airtime as a free public service. The airwaves belong to the public; they are a national treasure. They should be used to enrich our electoral process. Instead, they are exploited by highly profitable TV networks, forcing the candidates to rely on monied interests. This vicious cycle must be broken."

On the free air time proposal, the devil is in the details. Who will decide who gets free air time and how much? Would Dennis Kucinich get any? How about Ralph Nader? Probably not.