Invasion of Privacy! Big Brother and the Company Hackers

The New-Media Octopus

Which brings us back to the octopus. How many tentacles does the media have today?

• The Internet. It took the Internet less than five years to attract a critical mass of 25 percent of U.S. households, compared to seven years for television, eight years for radio, and 28 years for cable. Even as Web surfing has become America's latest passion, eBay is developing a television series.

• Technology. This includes computers, software, peripherals, iPods, digital cameras , plasma displays, and high-definition televisions .

• Communications. This includes networks, Wi-Fi, cell phones, cable, satellite, DSL, GSP, and OnStar.

• Video games . Game publishers generated $9.4 billion in revenues in 2002, compared to $8.3 billion for movie box-office receipts.

• Advertising. Five holding companies control 76 percent of the world's advertising market. Online advertising totaled $5.95 billion in 2002. The top 15 Internet ad sellers, such as DoubleClick, account for more than 80 percent of all online ad revenue. Some of Hollywood's hottest directors come straight from Madison Avenue.

• Publishing. This includes newspapers, books, magazines, comics, e-books, and sheet music.

• Music. This includes records, tapes, CDs, downloads, and audio books.

• Radio. This includes FM, AM, shortwave, CB, Internet, satellite, and cable formats.

• Movies. This includes films , Pay-Per-View, DVD, videotape, and streaming media.

• Television. This includes news, sports, entertainment, Internet, satellite, and cable.