Media consolidation could be harmful to your health

As with most decisions to consolidate control of an industry, the way Clear Channel and other media giants have bought up great chunks of the nation's media outlets has been treated as strictly a business decision, with decisions being made with the benefit of the stockholders being the only consideration. This story could put that into a different perspective:

(Via Democracy Now!)

Five years ago this week, a one-hundred-twelve car train derailed just outside Minot, North Dakota - the state’s fourth largest city. The accident occurred shortly before two in the morning on January 18, 2002. Minutes later, the train’s conductor called the local emergency dispatch.

Two hundred forty thousand gallons of anhydrous ammonia leaked out of the train producing a vapor plume that floated over the town. Limited exposure burns the eyes, the skin, and the lungs. Larger doses can shut down the human respiratory system. The chemical leak in Minot, North Dakota ended up killing one person. Approximately 330 were treated for immediate health problems and more than 1,000 people needed medical
care for recurring illnesses in the next month. But questions remain to this day over how the crisis was handled and the role played by media consolidation.

The radio giant Clear Channel owned all six commercial stations in Minot, North Dakota. None of them broke into regular programming to provide emergency information to the city’s residents. After the town’s Emergency Alert System failed, local
officials tried to call the stations - but no one answered. The stations continued to play music piped in from out of state.

[snip]
911 DISPATCH: 911. What is your emergency?

MINOT RESIDENT 6: Well, I’m wondering about this anhydrous.
911
DISPATCH: Sir, stay in your home. Treat it like smoke. Turn your furnace off. Put towels underneath the doors. Go in your bathroom. Turn the shower on, and cover your face with wet towels.
MINOT RESIDENT 6: OK.
911 DISPATCH: And stay there until further instructions by law enforcement.
MINOT RESIDENT 6: OK, because the PA system doesn't work.
911 DISPATCH: I understand that. And also, we've been putting it out over the cable TV and the radio.
MINOT RESIDENT 6: What’s the radio station?
911 DISPATCH: All the radio stations, sir.
MINOT RESIDENT 6: I had it on. I haven't heard it once.

This is utterly incredible. Of course, the FFC has no trouble fining stations for Janet Jackson's nipple, but this despicable event hasn't even gotten Clear Channel a slap on the wrist.

Talk about the "canary in the coal mine"---this is it. Aren't the airwaves supposed to be operated for public service in some way? Don't these companies has any responsibilities to the people and communities that they are supposed to serve? Apparently not.

And why hasn't more been made of this story? Is it going to take a major catastrophe to make our leaders wake up and see that it is IMMORAL to put the control of such an important public resource as our media in the hands of such a small number of people? There are so many issues about this---control of speech, lack of local news, etc.---but isn't this enough to say that this is a dangerous thing?