I think it would be fair for regulators to approve this merger if local municipalities and conpanies were afforded the same right to provide and compete with these titans
[Note: I still don't think this would be a large enough concession to make the merger a net benefit to the public though.]
Essentially, as part of the Master Settlement Agreement, the government just said, "You have to put X dollars into this independent anti-smoking group."
TheTruth.com uses web, print and television promote
its message.
As for forcing them to stop + lobby for it? You might even run into some Supreme Court issues, and they might challenge it on free speech grounds. It would be an uphill battle for something that might not even be enforceable (which is why I also said that it's not enough of a concession to make the merger a net public gain).
Regardless, if the FCC is nonetheless going to act as errand boy in ramming this down our throats, it could at least be somewhat mitigated by a well-structured ruling that municipal et al. broadband is legal, permitted, and shall not be impeded including and especially at the state and local level.
If we can't get these corporate behemoths to actually compete against each other, then let others step in to provide the competition. There seem to be plenty of volunteers eager to do so.