The Right to Diverse Media?

Recently in class, we had a discussion concerning the growing consolidation of radio stations and record companies.  The Clear Channels, the Viacoms, the Wall Street Journals, the Walmarts.  When these companies are mentioned, a negative light is automatically cast upon those who defend them.   Reasons against media conglomerates included a potential for lack of diverse products and more competition for smaller media outlets.

The feeling around the room was leaning towards we need more regulations to prevent these firms from getting bigger.  But last time I checked the United States is the country that prides itself in profits, getting ahead, and staying there.  I heard a quote that everyone loves a rags to riches story as long as the person doesn't make too much money.  That's so true when it comes to media markets and corporations.  This isn't Communist Russia or Obama's Socialist Paradise.  There seems to be a consensus that these large firms should be disbanded or penalized.  

Then, the argument saying a lack of diverse product might occur.  But who's job is it to guarantee that the public has the right to have a wide diverse range of media outlets.  Should the government intervene if Clear Channel won't play some local punk's band on it's Top 40 Stations nationwide?  Should Congress be charged with telling Viacom that it should put more music videos that don't feature thugs with baggy pants and guns?  What role should the government play in the media?  I take a classically liberal view of the government.  The government should only extend itself so far as to provide for the safety of its citizens and to guarantee their basic civil liberties.  

The last time I checked, it's not my inalienable right to make sure that my favorite station plays a wide variety of music.  It's MY job to find a station, channel, or website that meets MY needs.  If there is none, either I'm out of luck or I let a media firms I am interested in a certain genre.  The power of the public can carry weight if all of a sudden a firm loses large sections of its paying customers.  

Just a thought...