What are the "critical information needs" of Americans? Are they being met by the news media? Any answers would seem to be impossibly subjective. We're a diverse country. Everyone has different needs. There are sustained, intractable disagreements about which news outlets are exceptional and which are valueless.

Despite those obstacles, Mignon L. Clyburn, a commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, delivered a speech two summers ago explaining why the FCC would soon study the question. As she told it, the FCC has a mandate to promote diverse media voices, vigorous competition, and the public interest, "in addition to identifying and eliminating market entry barriers for small businesses."

And the study it commissioned on "critical information needs" would begin "the charting of a course to a more effective delivery of necessary information to all citizens." Not only that, the study "holds the promise of enabling them to live safer and healthier lives by highlighting any challenges and exploring a host of opportunities for full access to educational, employment, information and business opportunities in addition to empowering them in their civic involvement."

To sum up: the study + ? = a fully informed citizenry!