"So the system we have in radio and television today is the direct result of government policies that have been made in our name, in the name of the people, on our behalf, but without our informed consent"

In this quote, Robert McChesney seriously analyzes the foundations of the radio and television systems as they exist today, recommending that they are mainly shaped by government policies. McChesney indicates a disconnect in between these policy choices and the real consent of the general public, which he sees as problematic.

First of all, McChesney is highlighting the role of the federal government in forming media landscapes. By mentioning "federal government policies", he suggests that the structures within which radio and tv operate have actually not progressed simply through market forces or natural public demand, however rather through structured, deliberate decisions made at the governmental level. This indicates a significant degree of control and impact that the government holds over these media entities.

Additionally, McChesney's expression "made in our name, in the name of the people, on our behalf" suggests that these policies are seemingly developed to show public interest or the collective will of the population. This is vital because, preferably, democratic governments need to act as representations of their people, ensuring that policies reflect the requirements and preferences of the public.

Nevertheless, the crucial part of the quote features "without our informed permission". McChesney argues that while these policies are made under the guise of public representation, they lack genuine approval from the population. This indicates that the choices were made without sufficiently informing or engaging the general public, thereby sidelining true democratic involvement. The concept of "informed consent" here recommends that even if the general public is somewhat knowledgeable about these policies, they may not completely comprehend their ramifications, or the information provided might not suffice for significant engagement.

In essence, McChesney is critiquing the democratic legitimacy of media policies, questioning whether they genuinely serve the general public interest or merely task an illusion of public involvement and permission. Through this lens, his quote functions as a call for greater transparency, public engagement, and responsibility in the policy-making process connected to media systems.