Viacom, media conglomerate already in control of Nickolodeon, MTV and VH1 adds Black Entertainment Television to its populace control.
Anyone who still has any questions as to whether a powerful elite controls American culture, should check out this article:
http://my.aol.com/news/news_story.psp?type=1&cat=0809&id=00110307042775
Basically it says that BET (Black Entertainment Television) has been bought by Viacom. I'm neither black nor do I own a TV nor could I even vouch for the quality of BET programming, but, yes, that's the same Viacom who owns Nickolodeon, MTV and VH1. Kid to adult. It's clear to me at least that there is a loss of control here. This also says a lot about the commodification of independent media channels. In this case, a viable alternative programming station is seen simply as a market and if it "proves" itself, it is sucked into the death star of pop culture. Goodbye alternatives...hello monoculture.
How can we effect change? What do we want to participate in? Are we building alternatives just to watch them stolen from us?
Something to consider..
Jon
Original: Viacom buys BET. Monoculture seeps beneath the surface. Participate directly!