Sumner Redstone, Renegade of Funk

Viacom chairman, Sumner Redstone giving a keynote in DC yesterday:

"Unfortunately, we find ourselves in a world where, increasingly and alarmingly, a couple thousand form complaints from people condemning shows that they have never watched can result in an indecency fine 10 times higher than a year ago. In a world where these same form complaints can lead regulators to dictate business models that ultimately do more harm than good. And yes, in a world where entertainment and news executives, musicians and artists are living in a great deal of fear . . .

"If the public is not happy with a particular program, then they won't watch it, and it will go off air. Government censorship -- and by this I mean imposing any kind of burden or penalty on those who publish protected speech -- circumvents this process. This is particularly pernicious not only because it is prohibited by the Constitution but also because it can be abused by the government . . .

"High-handed government interference in a constitutionally protected enterprise puts the nation at risk. Give the government the tools to punish those it doesn't like or silence what it doesn't want to hear, and you undermine democracy. Give people the tools to choose what they see and hear, and you enhance democracy."

Oh, and get well soon, Fabolous.