The FCC's June decision to allow greater media consolidation has been a hot topic, though how it affects the broadband industry remains to be seen. The attention so far has been focused on how the ruling impacts more mainstream media, such as music radio. Some analysts have poked into its impact on broadband, usually surmising that it isn't an immediate threat. Concerns surrounding media consolidation and broadband for the time being seem to be focused primarily on free speech concerns.

With rampant consolidation creating bigger and more powerful broadband ISP's, companies and consumer groups alike are concerned that these Goliaths of data will attempt to either control which web sites are viewed, or stifle the use of (or advertising for) certain technologies. To that end, a group of companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Walt Disney, recently formed the "Coalition of Broadband Users and Innovators", and have been pushing the FCC to "preserve the free flowing nature of the internet", with one hand, but embracing many of the changes with the other.

Meanwhile the American Civil Liberties Union has apparently taken on a mission: to prove to the world the threat posed to free speech by the consolidation of the cable industries; a threat, they believe, that is the "most critical free-speech issue of the 21st century." ACLU representatives were on a mini tour last summer, taking time out in San Francisco and Seattle to speak about the issue to anyone willing to listen. The ACLU has released a report on the issue that is worth a read.

Forum discussion on the consolidation debate can usually be found in our broadband politics and legislation forum.