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Commercial vs. Independent Content |
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Commercial media aim towards economies of scale and scope, with the goal to maximize profits. As advertising money usually is their primary source of revenue their content very often is attuned to meet the needs of advertisers and marketers. Information necessary for a citizen's participation in the public sphere usually only plays a minor role in their programming, as it does not comply with the demands of an economic system whose principal aim is the generation of profit. They also virtually always are structured in accord with and to help reinforce society's defining hierarchical social relationships, and are generally controlled by and controlling of other major social institutions, particularly corporations.
Independent content provider on the other hand mostly act on a non-profit basis and try to avoid dependence on corporate powers and the state. One of their main concerns is the critical observation of public interest issues. The central aim of independent content provider's activities usually is to bring aspects and standpoints neglected by the (commercial) mainstream media to the public and subvert society's defining hierarchical social relationships. Promoting public debate and an active civil society they engage in the organization of alert actions and information campaigns or create subversive art.
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AT&T
AT&T
Corporation provides voice, data and video communications services to
large and small businesses, consumers and government entities. AT&T
and its subsidiaries furnish domestic and international long
distance, regional, local and wireless communications services, cable
television and Internet communications services. AT&T also
provides billing, directory and calling card services to support its
communications business. AT&T's primary lines of business are
business services, consumer services, broadband services and wireless
services. In addition, AT&T's other lines of business include
network management and professional services through AT&T
Solutions and international operations and ventures. In June 2000,
AT&T completed the acquisition of MediaOne Group. With the
addition of MediaOne's 5 million cable subscribers, AT&T becomes
the country's largest cable operator, with about 16 million customers
on the systems it owns and operates, which pass nearly 28 million
American homes. (source: Yahoo)
Slogan:
"It's all within your reach"
Business
indicators:
Sales
1999: $ 62.391 bn (+ 17,2 % from 1998)
Market
capitalization: $ 104 bn
Employees:
107,800
Corporate
website:  http://www.att.com
 http://www.att.com/
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