Freedman argues that broadcast media have a public role in society, whereas the role of
telecommunications services serves interests that are more private. So why do telecommunications industries
need to be regulated? Why do governments give regulatory bodies (such as the FCC) authority to regulate
telecommunications services, as opposed to letting markets in these services determine how the industry
operates? Does the policy approach in place in Canada effectively deal with the problem?
Even though broadcasting policy is usually only adopted after public hearings and consultations, the policies
currently in place are sometimes criticized for serving the interests of the elites who make policy and the
corporations who can afford to lobby governments for those policies. Is it realistic to think that average
Canadians would be able to effectively take part in the necessary discussions? Is there a need to develop
more effective means for citizens to participate in the communications policy process?