PressEthic

The Center for Public Integrity relaunched today its Media Tracker, a database that identifies the range of media available by zip code, a tool that can help get perspective on who controls the information where you live.

CPI acquired the data through the Federal Communications Commission, although it is sueing for further information on national broadband penetration, which is still not tracked accurately (see my earlier blog "the digital divide and conquer").

Comcast, the nation's top provider of both cable and broadband, posted revenues of over $22 trillion in 2005, and is a registered cable provider in 6,606 communities in 40 states. That's a lot of power to (mis)inform.

It's easy to plug in any zip code on the CPI site and get information about providers in any given area.

I'm sure it comes as no surprise that here in New York, there are a range of local choices (in various languages) including 46 newspapers, 27 television stations, and 13 broadband providers. However, there are only four cable providers -- hmmm and cable is very expensive too.

By comparison, Bloomington, Indiana only has one cable provider, but is still pretty well covered in television and newspapers. Plus it has nine broadband providers.

How 'bout the ever popular destination of Preston, Idaho? Well, television is well represented with 53 licensed stations. But there is just one cable company, and 1-3 broadband providers.

What's really interesting is that the top media owners aren't CBS, Clear Channel or other usual suspects. Instead the top owners are Franklin County TV District #1, Caribou County TV Association and Bear Lake County TV District.