On Dec. 18, the five commissioners of the Federal Communications Commission met in Washington, D.C., and, by a 3 to 2 vote, passed new regulations that would allow more media consolidation.

Tariq Ali on Pakistan in Turmoil after Benazir Bhutto’s Assassination

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto Assassinated

Deception: How the United States Secretly Helped Pakistan Build Its Nuclear Arsenal

Crackdown On the Press: General Musharraf Shuts Down Two of Pakistan’s Biggest Private Television News Channels

Under House Arrest, Pakistani Human Rights Leader Asma Jahangir Speaks Out on Musharraf’s Crackdown

Thousands Arrested in Pakistan Defying Musharraf’s Crackdown

Pakistan’s Musharraf Gets U.S. Backing for Crackdown Just Days Before Court Decision on Case Challenging His Rule

Regis talks about his dinner with Amy Goodman on his show Live with Regis and Kelly.

REGIS: And on my right was Amy Goodman—I was unfamiliar with the name. “What do you do, Amy?”… She says, “We cover global events.” … Well, now, excuse me, but what am I going to have in common with someone who covers global news? … : The beautiful baby contest? That ain’t going to do it! … Santa Claus getting pawed? No!… [The] woman was very interesting, so I tuned her in. She’s on from 8:00 to 9:00 in the morning.

KELLY: That’s really good. So I’m going to tune her in, too.

REGIS : Yeah. Yes, Amy Goodman.

Watch Video || Read Transcript

The kidnap and torture program of the Bush administration, with its secret CIA “black site” prisons and “torture taxi” flights on private jets, saw a little light of day this week.

By a 3-to-2 vote, the Federal Communications Commission voted on Tuesday to relax the rules for companies seeking to own both a newspaper and television or radio station in the same city. FCC Chair Martin pushed the vote despite widespread opposition from lawmakers and the general public.

Related Democracy Now! coverage: Interview with Craig Aaron of Free Press || Interview with FCC Commissioners Adelstein and Copps

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded this week, in Oslo, Norway.

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Is the CIA covering up the role of psychologists in torture at secret CIA prisons? Two individuals involved in the interrogation of Al Qaida operative Abu Zubaydah have been identified by name – both are psychologists.

Truth matters. History and context count.