Decline of the mass media.

An interesting essay by Avedon Carol decrying the decline of public service sensibilities within the mass media. A bit strident in places, and talking about the USA, but elements of this are very relevant to the UK as well.

We may not have the same level of political bias described here, but all the major newspapers are capable of selective reporting with the best of 'em, and many of them seem to change political allegiance on the whim of their owners. Much more noticable is the degree of control of popular music, as anyone who's read (or heard - shudder) the christmas singles chart can see.

[Link: Doc Searls]

Middle Plokta

On a jollier note, Plokta 25 is now online. The cover art is well worth a look for those of a suitably fannish tendency who didn't see it in the art show at Helicon 2...

[Link: The Sideshow]

[edit: I look much less stupid if I include the URL in question, don't I?]