The difference between now and say 30 years ago is many media companies were independently owned, now, like food in supermarkets, there are a few conglomerates that own all the media companies.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_conglomerate

If you go to the local level, John Oliver did a segment on Sinclair Broadcast Group that owns a bunch of local news stations and pushes political propaganda to them.

http://www.indiewire.com/2017/07/john-oliver-local-news-cons...

The point being is you have all our media digestible content, particularly news, controlled by a handful of corporations.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nexstar_Media_Group

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_Broadcast_Group

Sinclair, the one Oliver mentions, covers 40% of US households and is only the second largest next to Nexstar.

And John Oliver is owned by Time Warner/Turner Broadcasting.

You don't think Oliver is above propaganda do you?

No, he has an agenda as well. His position is a little less influenced now though because HBO's business model doesn't involve advertisements. I'm sure he doesn't bite the hand that feeds him either.

>Somebody is going to own the media

Disagree. Why do you think anyone "owning the media" would be a giood idea, let alone an acceptable one.

I didn't say anything about a good idea.

I definitely think it's better for individuals and regulated corporations to own it than for the media to be state-run.

And your proposed alternative is?

Lots of people own lots of media.

Awesome. You have your wish. Surf around.