‘The loony left has decided to drag out its favorite bogeyman ...’: To its credit, the Herald comes out swinging in support of Rupert Murdoch and changing the FCC’s cross-ownership rule. As an added bonus, it also rehashes the Fritz Hollings/Ted Kennedy caper of the late ‘80s, when they tried to force Rupert to either sell the Herald or Channel 25. ... But suggesting that most opposition to cross-ownership changes comes from members of the ‘loony left’? Last time I checked, William Safire isn’t a member of the loony left. ... Moi? I’m openly, proudly, unabashedly ambivalent about the issue. I see more media concentration coming with loosening of the cross-ownership rule. I also see an end to broadcast networks as we now know them. The future is already here in term of cable, satellite, digitial, Internet etc. Some have already missed the boat on this. See next item. ...

Update -- Dan Kennedy has more on the Herald editorial, including speculation the Rupe may end up rebuying the Herald.

Update II -- Another non-Loony Lefty, in this case John Farrell, isn't too wild about changing the cross-ownership rule. John quotes from Safire:

"Why do we have more channels but fewer real choices today? Because the ownership of our means of communication is shrinking. Moguls glory in amalgamation, but more individuals than they realize resent the loss of local control and community identity."

FYI: I initially attributed the above quote to John. It's from Safire -- and I've just fixed it, in case you're wondering.  ¶ 7:56 AM