We live in a world in which celebrity recognition, media access, and power translate very quickly into political power and indeed economic power.

I think people everywhere have a very dismaying feeling that politics are going over their heads, are being decided by wealthy interests that don't take them into consideration. And are bending the legislative process in their own behalf.

To buy TV time and bypass the usual filters between the public and political figures, are very powerful devices that people can use to attract attention, attract voters. And get influence in our society.

I think in the world we live in where television is the principal source of information for most people, it really affects the balance of the democratic process. The fairness of the democratic process.

I don't think people have fully processed how deeply television has changed the political process in our own world. Political parties have become vestiges of what they were and individuals with large amounts of money can leapfrog over that process, which can have a positive mediating effect. And so I think there are things to worry about.

Money, media, and political power are very closely connected.

Anybody who cares about the functioning of democracy should be concerned about the blurring of lines between public and private interests.

Knowing where you have come from is important in forming an idea of where you want to go.

If somebody has a monopoly position, and wants to keep that monopoly position, it means that you are effectively shutting out competition from other sources.

Everyone understands that in a modern economy - transparency, accountability, a working justice system are part of having a functioning, modern society.