[phatfish]

"Old media" was (and is) quite heavily regulated. Not everywhere turned into an East German surveillance state.

The idea that governments are incapable of acting in the interests of their citizens is just a narrative designed to weaken public democratic institutions and hand power to the real authoritarians.

[ipaddr]

Old media the three networks censored so much and the rise of cable allowed a more open playing field where someone could swear or show an HBO gritty cop show that mirrored reality.

The world of variety shows died for a reason.