[janekm]

It is not even remotely odd, it is a vital defence of that same democracy. Private ownership of the media is a direct path to authoritarianism (Hungary: Orban, Italy: Berlusconi).

When the government is "aligned" with the same media moguls who control the media (TV, newspapers) you have a huge problem for a democracy. Channel 4 was one of the few entities in the UK that stood out from that trend. In the current context it is madness to privatise one of the last remaining independent news sources in the UK.

Some would argue that the media landscape in the US isn't in the best shape either.

[gadders]

>>When the government is "aligned" with the same media moguls who control the media (TV, newspapers) you have a huge problem for a democracy.

So like in the USA then?

[unmole]

> Private ownership of the media is a direct path to authoritarianism

State owned media can be a more direct path.

[janekm]

Yes forgot to mention that... you really need both (and arguably a solid set of regulations and protections of freedom of the press).