Obama and the media

Sen. Barack Obama's strong performance in the ongoing Democratic nomination process against a formidable competitor is a testament to the man's ability to touch the possibility of change.

His is a message of common-sense governing, of people back in control of their government, of transparency in the public square.It's no wonder then that Obama is a champion of preserving that exquisite yet fragile balance between government, society and the media. He understands that information is power, that the strength of more voices can better hold their governments and public institutions accountable.

The Seattle Times endorsed Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination for many reasons, not the least of which is that he makes the most plausible — indeed, utterly believable — argument he can foment change in this weary nation.

But his populist bent on media issues is especially encouraging. He doesn't merely speak about it; he fights for it. He co-sponsored the recently introduced Media Ownership Act, which passed the Senate commerce committee in December.

The bill would force the Federal Communications Commission to, as Obama said, "place its public charge ahead of its concern for corporate profits." Indeed, the bill was a response to the FCC's brazen deference to hungry corporations gobbling up community voices at the expense of communities best served by a diversity of owners and opinions.

Obama is especially concerned about the mounting obstacles to women and minorities entering the ranks of media ownership and management. The bill would force the FCC to weight the scale to the public good.