You've got to be kidding me. Talk about a process that is an insult to the idea of public input in important decisions!

Chairman Kevin Martin of the Federal Communications Commission announced last night that there will be a public hearing on media localism in DC next Wednesday.

They gave less than a week's notice! For that matter, it is going to be during the day. Who in the public is supposed to be able to give their input? You would have to take off a day from work, and you would have to schedule it on short notice.

Basically this is a hearing for show. It's so that Martin can say "we held hearings for public input" even though he knows full well the people who can attend it are mostly lobbyists.

This just goes to show that the FCC chair is really not interested in public input.

It's sad.

Last night, hundreds of Mainers and a few folks from other New England states came to Portland High School for the opportunity to speak their minds about how well (or not) the broadcast media is serving their communities.

Four of the five FCC Commissioners were in attendance and patiently listened through the testimony of about two dozen panelists and scores more individuals testifying from the audience. Everyone who came and stayed was given their opportunity to speak on the public record.

However, many of the public testifiers had their voices squashed thanks again to the broadcasters.