Networks Hail Another 'Bright Idea' for Regulation

How many networks does it take to change a lightbulb? Two.

CBS "Evening News" and ABC "World News with Charles Gibson" both ran segments on a coalition supporting a ban on incandescent light bulbs in order to save money and save the planet through decreased energy consumption.

“Brian Castelli is part of a growing coalition that wants to ban your standard bulb and replace it with compact fluorescents (CFLs). Advocates say it’ll cut greenhouse gases, save electricity and money,” said CBS technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg.

Both networks left out the anti-regulation perspective that if compact fluorescent bulbs are really more efficient and will save consumers money in the long run there is no need for a mandate from the government.

NBC "Nightly News" did include one advocate of consumer choice: General Electric, its parent company. GE offered this statement to viewers:

“We strongly support the continued development of energy-efficient light sources, but we do not think banning incandescent lamps or any other technology, and limiting consumer choice, is the right approach.”

But none of the networks included any criticism of the CFLs and none questioned the argument that using the more efficient bulb will decrease energy consumption overall.