September 2004

Media ownership is on today's calendar with a hearing in the Senate and a=20
panel discussion this evening at the National Press Club. The Senate will=20
also be discussing Effectiveness of Media Rating Systems. For these and=20
other upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org/calendar.htm

MEDIA POLICY
Media Reform at a Crossroads
Study Rejects Print-Broadcast Combos
700 MHz Issues are Perplexing
U.S. Senate to Weigh Bill Targeting Web Song Swaps
CBS Fine Fires up Desires for Strict Federal Nanny

PUBLIC BROADCASTING
To BBC's Rivals, 'Auntie' Is Too Big For Its Britches
Morphing Commercial Radio Could Attract Pubradio Fans
Petitioner Angles for Time on 7 Midwestern Stations

CABLE
Time Warner, Comcast Weigh Bid for Adelphia
Digital TV Over Cable

TELECOM
Legalized Extortion by Any Other Name
Telecom's Next Wave: Alliances

QUICKLY
Welcome To Broadband City
Low Power FM: The People's Choice

MEDIA POLICY

MEDIA REFORM AT A CROSSROADS
[Commentary] Congresswoman Diane Waston believes that we are standing at a=
=20
crossroads to the future of US media. Will we allow a powerful media lobby=
=20
in Washington to continue to encourage consolidation of ownership, or will=
=20
Americans rise up to demand a media system that fosters more local, diverse=
=20
and democratic media. Today, decades of irresponsible deregulation in=20
telecommunication policy has created great discontent among consumers who=20
are angry at the lack of choices among an extremely concentrated media=20
market. Five giant media conglomerates -- Viacom/CBS, GE/NBCUniversal,=20
Disney/ABC, News Corp./FOX, and Time Warner -- control approximately a 75%=
=20
share of broadcast and cable prime-time viewing.When big media get larger,=
=20
and the race for audiences turns to the lowest denominator in trash=20
programming as an appeal to the broadest possible audience, these=20
conglomerates move further away from quality programming and the principles=
=20
of diversity, localism, and competition, which is crucial to serving the=20
public interest. Recently, Representative Maurice Hinchey and Rep Watson=20
introduced H.R. 4069, the Media Ownership Reform Act of 2004, which seeks=20
to undo the massive consolidation of the media that has been ongoing for=20
nearly 20 years, and writing into statute precise limitations to a=20
company's ability to own and operate media outlets in a single market. The=
=20
bill would restore the Fairness Doctrine, reinstate a national cap on=20
ownership of radio stations, and lower the number of radio stations one=20
company can own in a local market. It would also keep in place the current=
=20
cross ownership rules regarding newspaper and broadcast ownership, local TV=
=20
ownership rules, and prohibit one company from owning a TV station and a=20
cable system in the same local market. The bill also sets up new media=20
ownership guidelines for the FCC to use in future rulings, especially in=20
gauging the level of diversity in the nation's media to measure how many=20
people are watching television programming. Reps Hinchey and Watson will be=
=20
reintroducing this important piece of legislation next year, and hope to=20
have your support as the struggle for media ownership reform continues.
[SOURCE: MediaChannel.org]
http://www.mediachannel.org/views/dissector/affalert260.shtml

STUDY REJECTS PRINT-BROADCAST COMBOS
A new study to be released today by Fordham University's McGannon=20
Communications Research Center concludes that mergers between TV stations=20
and newspapers in any size market should not be allowed. A Philadelphia=20
appeals court told the FCC to better calculate market concentration and=20
the new study purports to show how "far off the mark" the FCC's proposed=20
diversity index would be compared to the court's instruction on what it=20
should be looking for. According to the study, the FCC overestimated radio=
=20
and the Internet as alternative news sources "by a factor of four," and=20
underestimated daily newspapers' importance by a factor of 2.5.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA456444?display=3DBreaking+New...
ferral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

700 MHZ ISSUES ARE PERPLEXING
How did anybody ever think the transition to digital TV broadcasting was=20
going to be easy? With slow consumer uptake of digital broadcasting=20
equipment, the transition could take decades, tieing up spectrum that could=
=20
be used for public safety and other uses. Cable operators say they'll carry=
=20
all available digital signals when there's consumer demand for it, while=20
broadcasters say demand will increase only if cable operators are required=
=20
to carry every digital signal, as well as analog signals. But why do=20
broadcasters kept winning policy battles that slow the transition? "In a=20
society where winning elections by less than 10% of the vote is=20
commonplace, telling more than 10% of the electorate that their analog TVs=
=20
won't work anymore probably isn't feasible," Jackson writes. He concludes:=
=20
"...it appears that some extraordinary measures will have to be taken for=20
public safety and wireless operators to have a shot at using this spectrum.=
=20
The encouraging note for both groups is that the potential economic and=20
social benefits that would come from clearing the 700 MHz spectrum warrant=
=20
such action. Just don't hold your breath waiting for it to happen."
[SOURCE: Telephony's Regulatory Insider, AUTHOR: Donny Jackson]
djackson( at )primediabusiness.com

U.S. SENATE TO WEIGH BILL TARGETING WEB SONG TRANSFER
After weeks of negotiations, the U.S. Senate could take action on Thursday=
=20
on the Inducing Infringement of Copyrights Act that would make it easier to=
=20
sue "peer-to-peer" networks like Kazaa and LimeWire that allow users to=20
copy music and movies over the Internet. The bill would hold liable anyone=
=20
who "induces" others to reproduce copyrighted material. The bill would give=
=20
a boost to recording companies and movie studios, which so far have been=20
unable to shut down the online file-trading networks in court. A new=20
version of the bill released after months of negotiation contains=20
carve-outs for venture-capital investors, advertisers, reviewers, and=20
nonprofits. Still, the new version seemed to win few converts. "Although=20
this new draft may appear on the surface to be more friendly to technology=
=20
and innovation than were past drafts, in fact it is not," said Gigi Sohn,=20
president of the nonprofit policy group Public Knowledge. "The stakes here=
=20
are chilling what drives America's economy, which is technical innovation,=
=20
both in the marketplace of products and the marketplace of ideas," said=20
Adam Eisgrau, executive director of P2P United, a trade group for several=20
peer-to-peer networks.
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Andy Sullivan]
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=3DinternetNews&storyID=3D6...
13
Public Knowledge is organizing an effort to oppose the Induce bill, S 2560.=
=20
The group warns that the bill could do away with the court ruling that=20
allowed the VCR, the
iPod, computer hard drives, and even the Internet, to be developed and to=20
flourish. The legislation would give the music and movie companies control=
=20
over the kinds of products and services consumers will be able to use to=20
listen to music.
See http://www.publicknowledge.org/take-action/induce

CBS FIRES UP DESIRES FOR STRICT FEDERAL NANNY
[Commentary] The Kaiser Family Foundation got a lot of press last week when=
=20
it released a survey that found parents are concerned with the amount of=20
sex and violence on TV. Vicky Rideout, director of Kaiser's Program for the=
=20
Study of Entertainment Media and Health, said the survey was intended to be=
=20
quantitative, not qualitative. She described it as "a broad tool that can=20
lead to suggested legislation or policy." McFadden expresses fear of that=20
"broad tool" because it could end up punishing the evening news for images=
=20
of abused Abu Ghraib prisoners when trying to shield youngsters from=20
brutal, shoot-'em-up cartoons. The Center for Creative Voices in Media's=20
Jonathan Rintels doesn't defend sex and violence on TV. But he is upset=20
about the chilling effects of an ill-defined outcry. "Unfortunately,=20
Congress and the FCC have taken what ought to be the last resort =97=20
government regulation of speech =97 and made it the first resort," said=20
Rintels. "What we're saying is: Let's look at all the other alternatives to=
=20
dealing with sex and violence on TV first instead of making the government=
=20
a national nanny." The alternatives: 1) Getting the FCC to clearly define=20
prohibited words, terms and deeds. So far, the agency has declined to do=20
so. 2) Offering viewers so-called a la carte cable, which lets them choose=
=20
individual channels and reduce the risk of getting racier options packaged=
=20
with family fare. The a la carte option is opposed by the U.S. cable=20
industry and would require government intercession.
[SOURCE: The Seattle Times, AUTHOR: Kay McFadden]
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/artsentertainment/2002045580_kay27...
l
Jonathan Rintels spoke about the Super Bowl half time show and the=20
resulting fine on The NewsHour on PBS. See a transcript at:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/july-dec04/fine_9-23.html

PUBLIC BROADCASTING

TO BBC'S RIVALS, 'AUNTIE' IS TOO BIG FOR ITS BRITCHES
What's the role of public broadcasting in a rapidly changing media=20
landscape? This is a question being asked all over the world, but=20
especially in England where the government is conducting a once-in-a-decade=
=20
review of the Royal Charter that sets the BBC's terms of operation and=20
funding. There's no question that the BBC's charter will be renewed, but=20
the government may mandate changes that will set the course of the BBC for=
=20
the next 10 years. Competitors complain that the BBC uses public funds to=20
compete with commercial broadcasters, which some say violates the BBC's=20
public-service mission. They argue that the BBC should produce and=20
broadcast only programming that commercial broadcasters can't or won't,=20
filling gaps in the market rather than producing mainstream TV fare.
A draft charter is expected in January.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Marc Champion marc.champion( at )wsj.com,=
=20
Emily Nelson emily.nelson( at )wsj.com, Charles Goldsmith=20
charles.goldsmith( at )wsj.com ]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109632206969429290,00.html?mod=3Dtoda...
s_page_one
(requires subscription)

MORPHING COMMERCIAL RADIO COULD ATTRACT PUBRADIO FANS
Neo-Radio, contemporary music without the hype. Progressive, left-leaning=20
radio talk shows. Classical music. All public radio formats, right? Now=20
commercial stations are moving into these areas, too. Neo-Radio and Air=20
America are just getting going and a commercial classic network is in the=20
making. Could they cut into public radio audiences? Or do they provide=20
opportunities for cross-promotion?
[SOURCE: Current, AUTHOR: Mike Janssen]
(http://www.current.org/)

PETITIONER ANGLES FOR TIME ON 7 MIDWESTERN STATIONS
A midwestern religious broadcaster has filed with the FCC trying to gain=20
time on if not the licenses of six public radio stations and one repeater=20
operated by a pubcaster. The religious broadcaster, Martin Hensley. claims=
=20
some of the stations provide no local service or fall short of the minimum=
=20
weekly operating schedule the FCC requires of noncommercial stations.=20
Hensley wants to restrict the schools to broadcasting during school hours=20
[since students never listen to the radio after school] and fill the=20
remainder of time with news, music and sports and to address issues like=20
depression, drunken driving and teen pregnancy.
[SOURCE: Current, AUTHOR: Mike Janssen]
(http://www.current.org/)

CABLE

TIME WARNER, COMCAST WEIGH BID FOR ADELPHIA
Look for more consolidation of ownership in the cable industry. With the=20
nation's 5th-largest cable operator, Adelphia, up for sale, the two largest=
=20
operators, Comcast and Time Warner, are expected to make a joint bid for=20
Adelphia's holdings in 31 states. Public interest advocates are worried=20
about the concentration of ownership power -- especially at Comcast. The=20
Philadelphia-based company already reaches more than 21 million subscribers=
=20
and close to one in five U.S. households; it also is the country's largest=
=20
provider of broadband Internet access. Critics say Comcast already wields=20
too much power over the Internet and what viewers see on TV. "In any=20
democratic society, you don't want a single entity to have too much power=20
to bless one channel over another," says Harold Feld, associate director of=
=20
Media Access Project, a Washington public-interest law firm.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Peter Grant peter.grant( at )wsj.com &=20
James Bandler james.bandler( at )wsj.com]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109629633422928793,00.html?mod=3Dtoda...
s_marketplace
(requires subscription)
See also --
WP: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55560-2004Sep27.html
USAToday:=20
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20040928/1b_adelphia28.art.htm
LATimes:=20
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-adelphia28sep28,1,642...
.story?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business

DIGITAL TV OVER CABLE
The number of local TV markets in which consumers can now receive a package=
=20
of HDTV services from their cable operator has grown to 177 (out of 210),=20
including all of the top 100 Designated Market Areas, the National Cable &=
=20
Telecommunications Association (NCTA) said today in releasing results of a=
=20
recent survey of its member companies. NCTA also reported that the number=20
of local digital broadcast stations being carried by cable systems has=20
increased to 454, up from 304 in December 2003, growth of nearly 50%.=20
Consumer availability of HDTV via cable has skyrocketed since its=20
commercial introduction by cable operators in 2002. Of the 108 million U.S.=
=20
TV households today, 90 million are now passed by a cable system that=20
offers a package of HDTV programming, NCTA said, an increase of more than=20
28% over the 70 million mark since last December. In addition, 17 cable=20
networks now offer HD programming during some or all of their network=20
schedules, in broad genres including movies, sports and general interest.=20
The NCTA data reflects activity through mid-September 2004.
[SOURCE: National Cable & Telecommunications Association Press Release]
http://www.ncta.com/press/press.cfm?PRid=3D536&showArticles=3Dok

TELECOM

LEGALIZED EXTORTION BY ANY OTHER NAME
[Commentary] McCullagh says the Senate Commerce Committee's approval of the=
=20
Wireless 411 Privacy Act bill was "an exercise in frivolity and futility."=
=20
So why did it take the trouble? First, it is great to grandstand as a=20
protector of consumer privacy. But McCullagh goes on to suggest something a=
=20
bit more sinister. "Politicians will enact legislation or press for=20
regulation that they suspect will cause problems," says Don Boudreaux,=20
chairman of the economics department at George Mason University. "They know=
=20
that the people who are affected by the problems will come to them, begging=
=20
that the problem be solved and contributing to their re-election efforts.=20
Economists have a term for it: rent extraction...It's particularly likely=20
when the issue is one that can be portrayed in sound bites and very quick=20
headlines as something good. 'I voted to require opt-in'--that sounds good.=
=20
It doesn't sound suspicious on its face." Boudreaux and other scholars,=20
including Northwestern University's Fred McChesney, have documented how=20
politicians have painstakingly made some areas of the law--like the tax=20
code--especially convoluted and then have proceeded to rewrite portions=20
every year or two. The repeated tinkering and high stakes, the argument=20
goes, guarantee a constant flow of political tribute.
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Declan McCullagh]
http://news.com.com/2010-1028-5381536.html

TELECOM'S NEXT WAVE: ALLIANCES
Consumer spending on bundled communications services, which includes=20
wireline, wireless, Internet, and cable or satellite TV, has been climbing.=
=20
Telecos are competing fiercely with other local wireline, wireless, and=20
cable-service providers, leading to losses in local-access lines. Looking=20
ahead, competition will only grow with the launch of Internet telephony and=
=20
the expansion of wireless broadband networks. But unlike earlier periods,=20
when telcos ratcheted up capital spending to boost growth and gain customer=
=20
loyalty, partnerships are now the vogue as carriers try to reduce debt.=20
What makes the partnerships appealing is that they let one company provide=
=20
new services to customers, while allowing its partner make use of excess=20
capacity to become more efficient.
[SOURCE: BusinessWeek, AUTHOR: Todd Rosenbluth]
http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/sep2004/pi20040924_0182_pi0...
tm

QUICKLY

WELCOME TO BROADBAND CITY
Philadelphia is not alone in wanting to offer city-wide high-speed Internet=
=20
access. By sending signals over the airwaves from inexpensive antennas=20
mounted on light poles, small-town mayors and local entrepreneurs around=20
the country are already providing low-cost broadband. Corpus Christi and=20
Houston are also moving forward on Wi-Fi networks. Not surprisingly, cable=
=20
and telcos aren't happy about their new rivals -- and lobbying hard to halt=
=20
the trend. The muni wireless network is an unexpected twist in what had=20
been a two-way race to sign up broadband subscribers. By creating "a third=
=20
pipeline," muni networks should lower prices and speed the spread of=20
broadband, says Michael Calabrese, vice-president at the New America=20
Foundation, a Washington think tank.
[SOURCE: BusinessWeek, AUTHOR: Catherine Yang & Heather Green ]
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_40/b3902057_mz011.htm

LOW POWER FM: THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE
An hour-long documentary on the story of how low power FM radio is bringing=
=20
diverse peoples closer together and giving new life to declining=20
communities, new strength to neighborhoods and new voices in the=20
marketplace of ideas. Meet the people who helped launch low power FM radio=
=20
and see how the LPFM radio movement withstood the rigors of Capitol Hill=20
and special interest attacks.
[SOURCE: United Church of Christ]
http://www.ucc.org/ocinc/lpfmradio/peopleschoice.htmhttp://www.ucc.org/oci=
nc/lpfmradio/peopleschoice.htm
--------------------------------------------------------------
Communications-related Headlines is a free online news summary service=20
provided by the Benton Foundation (www.benton.org). Posted Monday through=20
Friday, this service provides updates on important industry developments,=20
policy issues, and other related news events. While the summaries are=20
factually accurate, their often informal tone does not always represent the=
=20
tone of the original articles. Headlines are compiled by Kevin Taglang=20
(headlines( at )benton.org) -- we welcome your comments.
--------------------------------------------------------------

For upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org/calendar.htm

MEDIA
Parents, Media and Public Policy
Dan Rather And the Decline Of Media Power
New Media Era Dawns in U.S.
Senate Commerce Committee Approval of Public Interest
Guidelines for Broadcasters

OWNERSHIP
News Corp Seeks Media Ownership Waiver
Sony Group Signs Final MGM Deal; Comcast Joins Mix

CELL PHONES
Senate Committee Beefs Up, Approves Cell Phone Number Privacy Protections
Headset Phones May Still Pose Risks for Drivers

QUICKLY
VeriSign Touts Childrens' Online Identity Token
Senate Committee Approves Spyware Bill
Microsoft Sues Web Hoster, Others Over Spam
Spectrum for Advanced Wireless Services
The Public's Responsibilities in Permit-But-Disclose Proceedings

MEDIA

PARENTS, MEDIA AND PUBLIC POLICY
A majority of parents say they are =93very=94 concerned about the amount of=
sex=20
(60%) and violence (53%) their children are exposed to on TV, according to=
=20
a new national survey of parents released today by the Henry J. Kaiser=20
Family Foundation. And after being read arguments on both sides of the=20
issue, nearly two-thirds of parents (63%) say they favor new regulations to=
=20
limit the amount of sex and violence in TV shows during the early evening=20
hours, when children are most likely to be watching (35% are opposed).=20
Overall parents are more concerned about inappropriate content on TV than=20
in other media: 34% say TV concerns them most, compared to 16% who say the=
=20
Internet, 10% movies, 7% music, and 5% video games. Half (50%) of all=20
parents say they have used the TV ratings to help guide their children=92s=
=20
viewing, including one in four (24%) who say they use them =93often.=94=
While=20
use of the V-Chip has increased substantially since 2001 (when 7% of all=20
parents said they used it), it remains modest at just 15% of all parents,=20
or about four in 10 (42%) of those who report having a V-Chip equipped TV.
Find the survey report at=20
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/loader.cfm?url=3D/commonspot/security/getfil...
m&PageID=3D46689
[SOURCE: Kaiser Family Foundation Press Release]
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia092304nr.cfm
There's more at:
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia092304pkg.cfm
Also see --
Poll: Parents Favor Violence Regs
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA455397?display=3DBreaking+New...
ferral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

DAN RATHER AND THE DECLINE OF MEDIA POWER
[Commentary] The standard media model may be faltering and in the future=20
the way people get information about an event like Iraq will be different.=
=20
For years, there has been a saying that major media "sets the agenda." The=
=20
major networks and newspapers control content and define context. They get=
=20
to shape public perceptions about events by deciding what is left out of=20
stories. At its best, this is good editing. But too often now, it is=20
deciding how to bury or kill facts that weaken a story's main thesis. This=
=20
election has been a watershed for the rising power of alternative media in=
=20
the U.S. We saw Howard Dean's remarkable Internet fund-raising machine kick=
=20
in, the rise of the 527 groups, the Swift boat vets' campaign and now=20
bloggers with Web sites swarming CBS's false blockbuster, like antibodies.=
=20
Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show" is also a kind of alternative. The mama is=20
FOX Cable News. What is most important to understanding the rise and=20
apparent success of these alternatives is that there is clearly a hunger=20
and market for what they offer. A big market that will only grow when PC=20
screens truly function as televisions. The definition of "media" seems to=20
expand every six months. How long can it be before viable information=20
networks form around images and data sent from the little one-pixel cameras=
=20
on cellphones?
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR:Daniel Henninger henninger( at )wsj.com]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109598110578626711,00.html?mod=3Dtoda...
s_opinion
(requires subscription)
Also see:
Rather Problematic
The CBS case is not about careless errors or lazy editing. It's about the=20
blind determination to run with the story, about a violation of every=20
journalistic caution to get the hit on the air.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109597908985426604,00.html?mod=3Dtoda...
s_weekend_journal
(requires subscription)

NEW MEDIA ERA DAWNS IN U.S.
Gone is the long-standing reliance of almost all Americans on a handful of=
=20
mass media outlets that reported the news in similar ways. Instead,=20
hundreds of new outlets offer Americans distinctive approaches to stories,=
=20
and many people have gravitated to the outlets that they believe most=20
reflect their own views. At the same time, increasing numbers of people are=
=20
relying on new forms of media such as Web logs and Internet sites to=20
supplement and even replace newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and both=
=20
broadcast networks and cable TV channels. The result, some say, is a nation=
=20
in which news consumers sometimes believe only what they see, hear or read=
=20
on the outlets they prefer =97 and label as biased or false the information=
=20
that doesn't jibe with their points of view. That kind of choice has ripple=
=20
effects not only for mainstream media, but also for the way society forms=20
its opinions and the way politicians and other idea salespeople get their=20
messages to the public.
[SOURCE: Detroit News, AUTHOR: Lisa Zagaroli. Michael H. Hodges, and Jim=
Lynch]
http://www.detnews.com/2004/politics/0409/22/a01-281440.htm

SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF PUBLIC INTEREST GUIDELINES FOR=20
BROADCASTERS
On Wednesday, in a Senate Commerce Committee proceeding that was, on the=20
whole, favorable to broadcasters=92 interests, media reformers achieved one=
=20
significant victory: In a bipartisan vote of 13 to 10, the Committee=20
approved an amendment by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) that directs the=20
FCC to set specific public interest guidelines for broadcasters. Among=20
Committee members voting for the amendment were Senate Commerce Committee=20
Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME). The amendment=20
directs the FCC to establish =93minimum quantitative guidelines for locally=
=20
originated programming, local electoral and public affairs programming, and=
=20
independently produced programming for television broadcast=20
licensees.=94 The amendment also directs the FCC, when it is reviewing=20
broadcaster license renewals, to consider the extent to which broadcasters=
=20
comply with these guidelines. The Senate sent a clear and unarguable signal=
=20
to the FCC today that this agency must take seriously the public interest=20
obligations of broadcasters. The PIPA Coalition [which includes the Benton=
=20
Foundation] will work hard to ensure that today=92s Senate vote leads to FCC=
=20
approval of strong public interest guidelines.
[SOURCE: Common Cause Press Release]
http://www.commoncause.org/news/default.cfm?ArtID=3D395

OWNERSHIP

NEWS CORP SEEKS MEDIA OWNERSHIP WAIVER
Rupert Murdoch's News Corp is seeking a permanent waiver from the FCC's=20
newspaper-broadcast crossownership rule so that the company can continue to=
=20
own both the New York Post and TV station's WWOR/Ch 9 and WNYW/Ch 5. News=20
Corp claims continued uncertainty over whether the rule will be enforced=20
"threatens the continued development of the Post." Andrew Jay Schwartzman,=
=20
president of the Media Access Project, said News Corp's holdings give it=20
too much media power in the New York market and so it should be forced to=20
sell one of them to comply with the existing FCC rules. "Owning two VHF TV=
=20
stations and a daily newspaper won't pass muster with any analysis the FCC=
=20
could come up with," Mr. Schwartzman said. "Newspapers and television=20
stations are the most powerful forces shaping public opinion."
[SOURCE: Newsday, AUTHOR: Harry Berkowitz]
http://www.nynewsday.com/business/ny-bzpost0924,0,3006445.story

SONY GROUP SIGNS FINAL MGM DEAL; COMCAST JOINS MIX
The board of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer approved the Sony-led deal to buy the=20
last independent movie studio for $2.94 billion plus the assumption of=20
about $2 billion in MGM debt. Cable giant Comcast agreed to invest $300=20
million in the deal extending a separate strategic partnership it forged=20
with Sony earlier this month. As part of that partnership, the two=20
companies entered a venture to develop cable channels together. Sony also=20
will license movies -- both its own and MGM's -- for Comcast's=20
video-on-demand service. Sony will add Hollywood's biggest movie library to=
=20
its arsenal. In all, the entity will boast a combined 8,000 titles. The=20
deal will give Sony added clout in the impending battle over the format for=
=20
the next generation of DVDs. The deal is subject to approval of regulators=
=20
and MGM shareholders; the parties hope to close the deal by mid-2005.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Merissa Marr at merissa.marr( at )wsj.com]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109597813896526543,00.html?mod=3Dtoda...
s_marketplace
(requires subscription)
LATimes
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-mgm24sep24,1,2672325....
y?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business
Multichannle News:
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA455556?display=3DBreaking+News
(requires subscription)
TVWeek:
http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=3D6371
See also:
Comcast's Big Bet on Content
An interview with Comcast CEO Brian Roberts. He describes how he's=20
preparing Comcast for the future as it faces increasing competition from=20
satellite-TV operators and phone companies.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109598311359726796,00.html?mod=3Dtoda...
s_marketplace
(requires subscription)

CELL PHONES

SENATE COMMITTEE BEEFS UP, APPROVES CELL PHONE NUMBER PRIVACY PROTECTIONS
Consumers Union applauded Senate Commerce Committee members for approving a=
=20
bill that would give cell phone customers control over their phone numbers,=
=20
and is urging a House panel to do the same next week when it considers the=
=20
bill, to ensure the privacy protections can become law before the wireless=
=20
industry launches its 411 directory. =93Public support for this bill is=20
overwhelming, and Congress needs to pass it now because the wireless=20
industry is expected to launch a 411 directory within the coming months,=94=
=20
said Janee Briesemeister, director of Consumers Union=92s=20
www.EscapeCellHell.org project, noting that 15,000 consumers have e-mailed=
=20
Congress through the Web site in support of the bill. =93Without these=20
protections in law, many consumers may find in a few months that their=20
private cell phone number is no longer private,=94 Briesemeister said. The=
=20
Senate panel approved S. 1963, the =93Wireless 411 Privacy Act,=94 that=
would=20
prohibit cell phone companies from charging new fees to customers who want=
=20
to keep their number out of the directory. An amendment offered by Sen.=20
Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) was approved on a 12-10 vote that would require=20
all customers first give their permission in writing to be in the=20
directory. The bill as introduced only required existing customers to give=
=20
permission to be listed; new customers would have been listed in the=20
directory unless they =93opted-out.=94 =93We thank Senator Boxer and the=
other=20
committee members who put consumers=92 privacy concerns above the interests=
=20
of the wireless industry,=94 said Susanna Montezemolo, CU policy advocate.=
=20
=93By making sure the companies get permission before they place a number in=
=20
the database, all customers will enjoy the same high level of privacy=20
protection.=94
[SOURCE: Consumers Union Press Release]
http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_telecom_and_utilities/001384.html...
e
The wireless industry lobby group, CTIA, responded with this statement:
"Fire, ready, aim is the approach the Senate Commerce Committee took today=
=20
on legislating Wireless 411 service. This is a service that has yet to be=20
introduced. The Wireless industry has a proven track record of innovation,=
=20
lower prices, and protecting customers=92 privacy. It is unnecessary for the=
=20
government to dictate best practices on a competitive industry with such a=
=20
stellar record. This is a service that many of our consumers are demanding,=
=20
especially those in the small business community who have cut the cord and=
=20
are totally wireless."
http://www.ctia.org/news_media/press/body.cfm?record_id=3D1437
See also
http://commerce.senate.gov/newsroom/printable.cfm?id=3D226657

HEADSET PHONES MAY STILL POSE RISKS FOR DRIVERS
Wireless carriers and automakers are encouraging use of "hands-free"=20
devices for cell phones. Researchers, however, continue to raise questions=
=20
about the potential dangers of talking on the phone while driving --=20
regardless of whether the driver is holding a cellphone or using a headset.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Jesse Drucker at=
jesse.drucker( at )wsj.com]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109599238867526997,00.html?mod=3Dtoda...
s_marketplace
(requires subscription)

QUICKLY

VERISIGN TOUTS CHILDREN'S ONLINE IDENTITY TOKEN
VeriSign and i-Safe America unveiled the i-Stik token which, when inserted=
=20
in a computer's USB port, provides verification of a child's age and=20
gender. The token will be available free to students in a handful of=20
schools this fall. School administrators will provide a list of students,=20
with their ages and genders, and VeriSign will encode that information onto=
=20
the tokens. The program will be expanded to thousands of schools across the=
=20
country starting in the spring of 2005.
[SOURCE: Reuters]
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=3DOCE5TMBOSHM0UCRBAE...
A?type=3DtechnologyNews&storyID=3D6318959

SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES SPYWARE BILL
The Senate Commerce Committee approved a revised version of the Burns-Wyden=
=20
"SPYBLOCK" Act on September 22. The bill would give the Federal Trade=20
Commission authority over a variety of spyware-related activities, and=20
would make covert installation of software illegal. Anti-spyware=20
legislation has now been approved by Committees in both the House and=20
Senate, and is awaiting consideration by the full membership in both houses.
Text of S 2145: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:s.02145:
CDT's Spyware Page:
http://www.cdt.org/privacy/spyware/
[SOURCE: Center for Democracy and Technology]
(http://www.cdt.org)
See also:
http://commerce.senate.gov/newsroom/printable.cfm?id=3D226651

MICROSOFT SUES WEB HOSTER, OTHERS OVER SPAM
Microsoft filed nine new lawsuits against spammers who send unsolicited=20
e-mail, including an e-mail marketing Web hosting company. Microsoft has=20
launched a barrage of lawsuits against spammers over the past year in an=20
attempt to curb the spread of unsolicited e-mail.
[SOURCE: Reuters]
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=3DinternetNews&storyID=3D6...
50

SPECTRUM FOR ADVANCED WIRELESS SERVICES
On September 9, the FCC provided an additional twenty megahertz of spectrum=
=20
that can be used to offer a variety of broadband and advanced wireless=20
services (AWS), potentially including "third generation" (3G) wireless=20
services. The Commission also asked for public comment on licensing,=20
technical, and operational rules to govern the use of the 1915-1920 MHz,=20
1995-2000 MHz, 2020-2025 MHz, and 2175-2180 MHz bands designated for AWS.=20
On Wednesday, these documents were made available online.
[SOURCE: FCC]
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-219A1.doc

THE PUBLIC'S RESPONSIBILITIES IN PERMIT-BUT DISCLOSE PROCEEDINGS
The disclosure requirements include the following: 1) Any written material=
=20
shown to Commission personnel during the course of a meeting, even if the=20
materials are not left with the staff, are deemed written presentations and=
=20
must be filed; 2) Persons orally presenting data or arguments not already=20
reflected in their written submissions in the proceeding must file=20
summaries of the new data or arguments; 3) Status inquiries must be=20
disclosed if they: a) state or imply a view as to the merits or outcome of=
=20
a proceeding, b) state why timing is important to a particular party or=20
indicate a date by which a proceeding should be resolved, or c) otherwise=20
address the merits or outcome or influence the timing of a proceeding; 4)=20
The duty to ensure the adequacy of ex parte notices rests with the person=20
making the presentation; and 5) Violations of the ex parte rules may result=
=20
in a person's disqualification from participating in a proceeding
[SOURCE: FCC]
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-3040A1.doc
--------------------------------------------------------------
...and we are outta here. Have a great weekend. Go Cubs!
--------------------------------------------------------------
Communications-related Headlines is a free online news summary service=20
provided by the Benton Foundation (www.benton.org). Posted Monday through=20
Friday, this service provides updates on important industry developments,=20
policy issues, and other related news events. While the summaries are=20
factually accurate, their often informal tone does not always represent the=
=20
tone of the original articles. Headlines are compiled by Kevin Taglang=20
(headlines( at )benton.org) -- we welcome your comments.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Two hearings of note today -- one on the digital TV transition and spectrum=
=20
for first responders (see story below) and one on the E-rate program. For=20
upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org/calendar.htm

MEDIA & ELECTIONS
Public Interest Advocates Launch =91Media Watchdog Project=92
Big Three Commit to Debates, Fox Waffles
Court Ruling Won't Stop 527 Ads
CBS Storm Washes Over Viacom
Bloggers Keep Eye on the News

LEGISLATION
Public Interest Groups Decry Shortcomings of "Save Lives" Digital=20
Transition Act
Before Senate, Verizon Wireless Warns Colleagues on 411
Congress Should Pass Cell Phone Number Privacy Bill Before
Wireless Industry Launches 411 Directory
EPIC to Testify on Wireless Phone Directories
Largent Promotes Wireless 411 in Senate Hearing
Broadcast Voyeurism, Anti-Piracy and Privacy Tackled by House Tuesday
Critics Say Bill Could Trigger Flood of Faxes

CABLE
The War for Your Remote: Satellite Gains on Cable
Three Bells Support DOJ=92s Brand X Appeal

PUBLIC BROADCASTING
PBS Panders to Right With New Programming
CPB and IMLS create Partnership for a Nation of Learners

IF ONLY IT WERE APRIL
Mexico Churches Wage High-Tech War on Cell Phones
New German Mobile Phone to Detect Bad Breath

MEDIA & ELECTIONS

PUBLIC INTEREST ADVOCATES LAUNCH 'MEDIA WATCHDOG PROJECT'
With six weeks left until Election Day, the Alliance for Better Campaigns=20
today launched a Media Watchdog Project=20
(http://www.ourairwaves.org/scorecard) to encourage citizens to monitor=20
their local stations and call on broadcasters to devote more time to=20
candidate and issue discussion =AD particularly at the state and local=
level.=20
The Media Watchdog Project asks citizens to score media coverage of=20
elections on a variety of factors =AD including coverage of state and local=
=20
races, the amount of issue discussion vs. strategy or horserace coverage,=20
and the number of candidate soundbites. After completing the scorecard,=20
citizens have an opportunity to send customized feedback to station=20
managers and news directors via email. The launch of the Alliance=92s Media=
=20
Watchdog Project follows on the heels of the =93Community-by-Community=20
Campaign for Better Local Broadcasting=94. That campaign, organized by the=
=20
Public Interest, Public Airwaves Coalition, uses online advocacy technology=
=20
to allow citizens to connect with others in their community, and to=20
schedule meetings with local broadcasters to express their concerns about=20
election coverage. At the meetings, citizen activists also ask broadcasters=
=20
to sign a pledge agreeing to air a minimum of two hours per week of=20
candidate- or electoral issue-centered discourse during prime viewing hours=
=20
in the six weeks prior to the November 2 elections. The Alliance is a=20
founding member of the PIPA Coalition [which includes the Benton=
Foundation].
[SOURCE: Alliance for Better Campaigns Press Release]
http://www.ourairwaves.org/press/release.php?ReleaseID=3D61

BIG THREE COMMIT TO DEBATES, FOX WAFFLES
More than 45,000 people have asked the major broadcast networks to provide=
=20
coverage of the debates between candidates for President and Vice=20
President. CBS responded within 18 hours of the petition's launch. The=20
office of CBS News President Andrew Hayward contacted Media for Democracy=20
on Friday to announce: "Absolutely, positively, 1,000 percent correct, we=20
will carry all of the debates live." By the end of the day Monday, NBC and=
=20
ABC had followed suit, announcing that they planned to cover all of the=20
debates as well. The one hold out remains Fox, which has so far committed=20
to air only one debate, the first, via their more than 200 local broadcast=
=20
affiliates. Given Fox's track record there is reason for concern. In 2000,=
=20
Fox skipped a debate, opting to air the premiere episode of "Dark Angel."=20
This year, they have the rights to air the Major League Baseball playoffs,=
=20
and might preempt the debates if they pose a scheduling conflict.
The URL below will help readers petition Fox to air all of the debates.
[SOURCE: MediaChannel]
http://www.mediafordemocracy.us/campaign/debate

COURT RULING WON'T STOP 527 ADS
A new court order requiring election regulators to rewrite campaign-finance=
=20
rules isn't likely to affect this year=92s presidential election,=20
particularly the independent groups funding attack TV and radio ads on both=
=20
candidates. The chairman of the Federal Election Commission says current=20
campaign finance regulations are all but certain to remain in place though=
=20
this fall=92s election, despite a court order to rewrite rules implementing=
=20
the 2002 reform law. =93It is literally impossible to have new regulations=
=20
prior to the elections,=94 said Chairman Bradley Smith. Any new rules would=
=20
have to be submitted for a round of public comment before approval by the=20
commission.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Bill McConnell]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA454690?display=3DBreaking+New...
ferral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

CBS STORM WASHES OVER VIACOM
Although the CBS news division will suffer some damage because of the=20
National Guard memo scandal, there's good news at parent Viacom -- the=20
company will go right along making lots of money. See how -- an another=20
example of the "power of the brand" -- at the URL below.
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Geraldine Fabikant]
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/22/business/media/22viacom.html
(requires registration)
Also see:
CBS, Sitting Between Fiasco And Fallout
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Howard Kurtz]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39939-2004Sep21.html
(requires registration)
CBS Controversy Comes As Network Nightly News Shows Are Losing Clout
The CBS debacle has raised worries within and outside the news business=20
that the media will turn even warier about taking on contentious subjects=20
just as the campaign is heating up.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Brooks Barnes brooks.barnes( at )wsj.com &=
=20
Joe Flint joe.flint( at )wsj.com]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109581440937724464,00.html?mod=3Dtoda...
s_marketplace
(requires subscription)

BLOGGERS KEEP EYE ON THE NEWS
Are you starting to take bloggers more seriously? Apparently, the=20
traditional media are. The CBS/National Guard memo incident is=20
demonstrating how there's an expert about everything out there and how=20
quickly they can share their knowledge now. "There's no question we all=20
have to take them seriously,=94 says Terence Smith, media correspondent and=
=20
senior producer at PBS' The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. =93They do provide, at=
=20
least potentially, a useful fact-checking function." For the old media,=20
=93this must have been what it was like for the Catholic Church when movable=
=20
type was invented,=94 says Jack Shafer, who writes a media column called=20
=93Press Box=94 for the online magazine Slate. =93Until then, the church=20
controlled who would be the scribes.=94 For some media experts, the=
documents=20
episode underscores a troubling fact about this year's political reporting.=
=20
With just six weeks left in the presidential campaign, the media experts=20
say it appears the stories the news media will be most remembered for=20
reporting are about memos that might be forgeries and things that happened=
=20
30 years ago on a river in Vietnam. Those stories focus on charges =97 all=
=20
challenged =97 leveled by a group of Vietnam War veterans at Democratic=20
presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry. Many editors say they recognize=20
what's happening and hope to use the time between now and Election Day,=20
Nov. 2, to put more substance into the news they report. =93I'm reaching the=
=20
point where I want to ratchet down considerably the volume of coverage we=20
give to the campaigns' back-and-forth and ratchet up the coverage we give=20
to where the candidates stand on the issues,=94 says Douglas Clifton, editor=
=20
of The Plain Dealer in Cleveland.
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR:Mark Memmott]
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20040922/a_documents_media22.a...
tm

LEGISLATION

PUBLIC INTEREST GROUPS DECRY SHORTCOMINGS OF "SAVE LIVES" DIGITAL=20
TRANSITION ACT
The Consumer Federation of America and Free Press have sent an open letter=
=20
to members of the Senate Commerce Committee about provisions in the=20
Spectrum Availability for Emergency-Response and Law Enforcement To Improve=
=20
Vital Emergency Services Act (the Save Lives Act). The legislation aims at=
=20
quickening the transition to digital-only TV broadcasting to make spectrum=
=20
available to public safety workers. "Unfortunately, the provisions that=20
claim to protect consumers and promote the public interest in other uses of=
=20
the airwaves are a disaster," the letter states. The groups say flaws in=20
the legislation include: 1) failure to allocate any of the airwaves to=20
unlicensed use and makes it harder for the FCC to designate spectrum for=20
unlicensed uses in the future, 2) earmarking far too much radio spectrum=20
for auction, without any analysis of the needs for resources to accomplish=
=20
the transition, 3) failure to allocate any of the proceeds of the auction=20
of the airwaves to a public trust for noncommercial or community media, 4)=
=20
failure to require full compatibility for all television sets in all=20
households, 5) opening the door for cable and satellite companies to seek=20
subsidies for equipment they are planning to deploy on a commercial basis,=
=20
and 6) providing no policy direction for establishing the public interest=20
obligations of broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite companies.
The Senate Commerce Committee is expected to vote on the bill Wednesday.
[SOURCE: Consumer Federation of America/Free Press]
http://www.freepress.net/news/release.php?id=3D26
See also:
Spectrum Bill Vote Scheduled
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Bill McConnell]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA454714?display=3DBreaking+New...
ferral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

BEFORE SENATE, VERIZON WIRELESS WARNS COLLEAGUES ON 411
Privacy concerns were raised at the Senate Commerce Committee hearing on a=
=20
411 directory for wireless phones. Verizon Wireless CEO Dennis Strigl said=
=20
his company would never participate in such a directory and Sen Barbara=20
Boxer (D-CA) warned colleagues about the =93chaos=94 that would ensue once=
=20
constituents in their states start
receiving unwanted calls on their wireless phone. She added she was working=
=20
with Sen Specter (R-PA) on an amendment to proposed legislation, S-1963, to=
=20
add privacy protections to a bill that already aims to require opt-in=20
privacy protection for existing wireless subscribers and opt-out options=20
for new subscribers. Sen Boxer wants consumers to know about requests for=20
their numbers before the information is given out.
The bill is scheduled to be marked-up by the same committee today.
[SOURCE: Communications Daily, AUTHOR: Terry Lane]
(Not available online)
Also see --
*News.com
http://news.com.com/Will+cell+numbers+be+listed+with+411/2100-1039_3-537...
.html?tag=3Dnefd.top
See summaries of testimony and links below.
http://commerce.senate.gov/hearings/witnesslist.cfm?id=3D1315

CONGRESS SHOULD PASS CELL PHONE NUMBER PRIVACY BILL BEFORE WIRELESS=20
INDUSTRY LAUNCHES 411 DIRECTORY
Congress should immediately pass a law to give cell phone customers control=
=20
over their phone numbers before the wireless industry launches a proposed=20
411 directory in the coming months, Consumers Union urged Tuesday in=20
written testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee. Consumers Union is=
=20
supporting S. 1963, the =93Wireless 411 Privacy Act,=94 because the bill=
would=20
make law some privacy protections rather than relying on industry promises=
=20
to do so. The bill, which is to be considered today by the full Senate=20
Commerce Committee, prohibits charging new fees for unlisted numbers and=20
gives consumers discretion whether to list their number. However,=20
Consumers Union is urging that the legislation be strengthened through an=20
amendment to require that all customers affirmatively =93opt-in=94 to the=20
directory in writing. As filed, the legislation creates a dual system of=20
obtaining consumers=92 permission to have their cell phone numbers listed in=
=20
the directory. Current customers would have to affirmatively opt into the=20
directory, while new customers would have their numbers included in the=20
directory unless they opted-out. The directory is expected to reap billions=
=20
for the cell phone industry -- based on anticipated revenues from callers=20
to the 411 directory service and more calls being connected.
[SOURCE: Consumers Union]
http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_telecom_and_utilities/001380.html...
e

EPIC TO TESTIFY ON WIRELESS PHONE DIRECTORIES
On Tuesday, September 21, EPIC Executive Director Marc Rotenberg testified=
=20
before the Senate Commerce Committee on "The Wireless 411 Privacy Act." The=
=20
law would establish some privacy safeguards for wireless phone subscribers.=
=20
EPIC's testimony argues for an opt-in approach for directory listings,=20
security safeguards, and a prohibition on the sale of personal mobile phone=
=20
numbers to data brokers.
[SOURCE: Electronic Privacy Information Center]
http://www.epic.org/privacy/wireless/dirtest_904.html

LARGENT PROMOTES WIRELESS 411 IN SENATE HEARING
Citing the proposed Wireless 411 service as the newest chapter in the=20
wireless industry=92s outstanding history of providing consumers with=20
attractive options, Steve Largent, President and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless=20
Association, testified today before the United States Senate Committee on=20
Commerce, Science and Transportation. Largent=92s testimony was in regard to=
=20
S. 1963, the "Wireless 411 Privacy Act", introduced by Senator Arlen=20
Specter (R-Pennsylvania) and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California). Largent=
=20
told the committee the wireless industry has always placed a premium on=20
protecting consumers=92 privacy and that the proposed service was developed=
=20
with maintaining that respect. Largent says the Wireless 411 service would=
=20
be appealing to millions of small business owners in the United States as=20
well as the more than eight million Americans who have "cut the cord" and=20
exclusively use their wireless phone for telecommunication. Many of these=20
customers currently pay to have their wireless numbers listed in "landline"=
=20
directories. He also outlined the featured components of the system: only=20
consumers who "opt-in" will have their numbers available in the database;=20
if a consumer chooses not to be included, they will not have to do=20
anything; there will be no fee assessed for not participating; there will=20
be no published directory of the numbers; there will be no Internet access=
=20
to the numbers; the database cannot be sold to any third-party. Largent=20
also told the committee that legislation was premature since the service=20
had not even been implemented, and that legislation was unnecessary due to=
=20
a much more powerful force, the wireless consumer.
[SOURCE: Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association]
http://www.ctia.org/news_media/press/body.cfm?record_id=3D1436
Read Larget's testimony at
http://www.ctia.org/news_media/press/body.cfm?record_id=3D1435

BROADCAST VOYEURISM, ANTI-PIRACY AND PRIVACY TACKLED BY HOUSE TUESDAY
The House approved three bills creating new criminal and civil penalties=20
for voyeurism, software and media piracy, and online fraud. The voyeurism=20
bill, S-1301 by Sen. DeWine (R-O.), already passed the Senate last year on=
=20
a voice vote. It was amended and needs to go back to the Senate, but could=
=20
make it to President Bush's desk this year. No legislation similar to the=20
copyright bill (HR-3632) or domain name fraud (HR-3754) has cleared the=20
Senate.
[SOURCE: Communications Daily, AUTHOR: Patrick Ross]
(Not available online)
Also see:
* Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=3DXTNLIHK31OC1YCRBAE...
A?type=3DinternetNews&storyID=3D6297075
* News.com
http://news.com.com/House+takes+on+piracy%2C+video+voyeurism/2110-1028_3...
6601.html?tag=3Dnefd.hed

CRITICS SAY BILL COULD TRIGGER FLOOD OF FAXES
The Junk Fax Prevention Act, which has passed through the House and awaits=
=20
a vote in the Senate, was designed to clarify rules for advertising via fax=
=20
machines, but could expose consumers to a flood of unwanted solicitations.=
=20
The bill mirrors current law by banning unsolicited faxes, but makes=20
explicit an exception for companies that have "established business=20
relationships" with consumers or other businesses. Under that exception,=20
consumers who once purchased a product, or even sought information, from a=
=20
company could be sent faxed promotions even if they had expressed no=20
interest in future transactions or had not provided their fax number. The=20
relationship could be at least five years old, but no more than seven,=20
under the bill's terms.
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Jonathan Krim]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39773-2004Sep21.html
(requires registration)

CABLE

THE WAR FOR YOUR REMOTE: SATELLITE GAINS ON CABLE
Why cable subscribership went down for the first time last year, satellite=
=20
TV operators added 2.3 million new customers. One of the biggest reasons=20
for satellite's recent gains is that cable companies, which still have=20
three times more subscribers than satellite, have lost what has long been=20
one of their most compelling competitive advantages: the ability to offer=20
local channels. That includes the local affiliates of networks such as CBS=
=20
and Fox, and popular shows such as the local news. In recent years, the two=
=20
major satellite providers, DirecTV and EchoStar, have added enough=20
satellite capacity to accommodate these extra channels in most major=20
markets. EchoStar offers them to more than 92% of U.S. households. Cable=20
has held on to its biggest spending customers and is fighting back by=20
offering local digital channels and video-on-demand.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Peter Grant at peter.grant( at )wsj.com]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109580709654324175,00.html?mod=3Dtoda...
s_personal_journal
(requires subscription)

THREE BELLS SUPPORT DOF'S BRAND X APPEAL
BellSouth, SBC and Verizon have asked the Supreme Court to review a=20
decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San=20
Francisco, which held that cable-modem service is subject to open-access=20
requirements. The three Bells are concerned that if the Supreme Court does=
=20
not strike down the ruling in Brand X Internet Services vs. the Federal=20
Communications Commission, the FCC will be denied the authority assigned it=
=20
by Congress to establish a national deregulatory approach to broadband=20
services, regardless of the provider. In March 2002, the FCC decided to=20
keep cable-modem service deregulated, and the agency later proposed to=20
accord the same treatment to the Bells=92 digital-subscriber-line service.=
=20
But the Ninth Circuit=92s reversal of the cable-modem decision froze the FCC=
=20
from taking further steps to deregulate DSL, which must comply with=20
open-access rules.
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA454708?display=3DBreaking+News
(requires subscription)

PUBLIC BROADCASTING

PBS PANDERS TO RIGHT WITH NEW PROGRAMMING
A new public television program called The Journal Editorial Report,=20
featuring writers and editors from the conservative Wall Street Journal=20
editorial page, debuted recently on public television stations around the=
=20
country. The show joins Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered, hosted by conservative=
=20
CNN pundit Tucker Carlson, and a planned program featuring conservative=20
commentator Michael Medved as part of what many see as politically=20
motivated decisions to bring more right-wing voices to "balance" public=20
television. The notion that public broadcasting should find ways to balance=
=20
itself is odd, and accepts at face value the right-wing critique that PBS=20
is biased to the left. If anything, public broadcasting is theoretically=20
designed to balance the voices that dominate the commercial media. As the=
=20
1967 Public Broadcasting Act proposed, public broadcasting should have=20
"instructional, educational and cultural purposes" and should address "the=
=20
needs of unserved and underserved audiences, particularly
children and minorities." Instead, public television has in practice=20
largely been a home for elite viewpoints, dominated by long-running=20
political shows hosted by conservatives and by business shows aimed at the=
=20
investing class. CPB was initially intended to be a "heat shield" for=20
public broadcasting, protecting programmers from political pressures from=20
partisan lawmakers who control the purse strings. It's long since become a=
=20
mechanism for transmitting Congress' ideological desires to public=20
broadcasting, and the new shows announced for public TV show that it's very=
=20
effective in that role.
[SOURCE: FAIR]
http://www.fair.org/activism/pbs-goes-right.html

CPB AND IMLS CREATE PARTNERSHIP FOR A NATION OF LEARNERS
Partnership for a Nation of Learners, a multi-year, $3 million initiative=20
of CPB and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), will=20
provide resources to bring together libraries, public broadcasters, and=20
museums to leverage community assets and create new pathways to learning,=20
discovery, and exploration. The initiative will offer competitive grants to=
=20
support existing collaborations and to create new ones, encourage=20
professional development, and conduct project evaluations to measure=20
effectiveness. Grant application guidelines and more information about the=
=20
initiative will be available on October 31, 2004, at=20
http://www.cpb.org/partners/.
[SOURCE: Corporation for Public Broadcasting/Institute of Museum and=20
Library Services Press Release]
http://www.cpb.org/programs/pr.php?prn=3D375
Also see:
Tomlinson, Cruz Elected to Second Terms as Chair, Vice Chair of CPB Board
Kenneth Tomlinson, a veteran journalist and author, has served on the CPB=20
board since September 2000. Prior to being elected to his first term as=20
board chair, he chaired CPB=92s audit and finance committee (2001-2003).=20
Currently, he chairs the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) which=20
oversees all U.S. international broadcasting including Voice of America=20
(VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA) and=
=20
Radio-TV Marti. Tomlinson was editor-in-chief of Reader=92s Digest until=
1996.
Frank Cruz was appointed to the CPB board in August 1994, and was=20
reconfirmed for a second term in 2000. He is a past chair of CPB=92s audit=
=20
and finance committee (1996 to 1998), and past board chair (1999 to 2001).=
=20
Cruz is currently president of Cruz and Associates, which he founded in=20
1995. He founded Gulf Atlantic Life Insurance Company, the first=20
Hispanic-owned life insurance company in the United States. A former=20
journalist, Cruz is a founder of Telemundo, the nation=92s second Spanish=20
language network, and of KVEA-TV in Los Angeles. He is a member of the=20
board of trustees of the University of Southern California and a trustee of=
=20
the James Irvine Foundation and Health Net.
http://www.cpb.org/programs/pr.php?prn=3D376

IF ONLY IT WERE APRIL

MEXICO CHURCHES WAGE HIGH-TECH WAR ON CELL PHONES
Turn off those g*% %( at )&# cell phones, say some Mexican churches. Actually,=20
they are using state-of-the-art technology to silence cell phones that ring=
=20
during mass. The technology blocks incoming calls. "Before we had the=20
system, it was very uncomfortable hearing calls coming in during the=20
celebration of mass. But now it's 95 percent quiet," said Bulmaro Carranza,=
=20
a caretaker at Sacred Heart church. Outgoing calls are not blocked as some=
=20
church goes may have god's number.
[SOURCE: Reuters]
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=3DtechnologyNews&storyID=3...
6345

NEW GERMAN MOBILE PHONE TO DETECT BAD BREATH
Some people take smelling good rather seriously and, thankfully, there's a=
=20
cell phone maker with them in mind. Siemens Mobile is developing the first=
=20
mobile phone that will alert users when their breath is bad or if they are=
=20
giving off offensive smells. And added feature will dispense breath mints=20
and deodorant.
[SOURCE: Reuters]
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=3DtechnologyNews&storyID=3...
4563
--------------------------------------------------------------
Communications-related Headlines is a free online news summary service=20
provided by the Benton Foundation (www.benton.org). Posted Monday through=20
Friday, this service provides updates on important industry developments,=20
policy issues, and other related news events. While the summaries are=20
factually accurate, their often informal tone does not always represent the=
=20
tone of the original articles. Headlines are compiled by Kevin Taglang=20
(headlines( at )benton.org) -- we welcome your comments.
--------------------------------------------------------------

For upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org/calendar.htm

TELEVISION
Your Money or Your License
More Kids TV, But Better?
McCain DTV Conversion Bill Slates $1 Billion for Converter Boxes
Lawmakers Seek to Halt DTV Transition Plan
Comcast=92s DTV Triple Play

DIVERSITY
As Media Audience Fragments, Trust -- Not Objectivity -- Is What Matters
Newsrooms Haven't Changed Much
Cable Lags In Diversity: Survey

QUICKLY
Tech's Future
Nextel Lays Out Objections to 800 MHz Rebanding Plan
Users Find Too Many Phish in the Internet Sea
A PUC Consumer Champ Draws Ire

TELEVISION

YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LICENSE
Media watchdog Parents Television Council (PTC) plans to challenge perhaps=
=20
hundreds of local TV license renewals coming due for FCC review over the=20
next three years. Other organizations -- including the United Church of=20
Christ and the Alliance for Better Campaigns -- are also challenging=20
license renewals. The activists hope to take advantage of the FCC's=20
obligation to judge each station's performance serving their community's=20
local-programming needs, including educational shows and local-news and=20
campaign coverage. Since media conglomerates have spent millions assembling=
=20
national station groups, a growing chorus of critics charge they're=20
boosting profits by airing reality shows, celebrity journalism, and prime=20
time shows laden with sex and violence. At the same time, critics say, the=
=20
networks are abandoning their obligation to serve the programming needs of=
=20
communities. FCC Commissioner Michael Copps predicts activists' efforts=20
will end what he sees as a renewal process that requires broadcasters to do=
=20
little more than mail in a postcard asking to stay in business another=20
eight years. "The FCC can do something about licensing by reinstituting a=20
serious, honest-to-God license-renewal process," he told Congress after the=
=20
FCC relaxed broadcast rules in 2003. Although the FCC has rarely denied=20
renewals, the threats raise the specter of costly legal battles to defend=20
station holdings. The TV industry will collectively spend millions=20
defending shows in staff-level FCC renewal proceedings, and any FCC action=
=20
could have greater repercussions in the industry -- from which shows are=20
chosen by stations to how the shows are sold or written.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Bill McConnell]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA454236?display=3DTop+of+the+W...
referral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)
See also --
Alliance Eyes License Challenges
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA454028?display=3DBreaking+New...
ferral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

MORE KIDS TV, BUT BETTER?
On September 9 the FCC adopted new rules that will require digital=20
broadcasters who multicast to provide an additional three hours of=20
children's educational/information programming for each new channel they=20
air. That means there could be a lot more children's programming available=
=20
on digital TV -- but will it be better? Some are skeptical. Some critics of=
=20
broadcasters say many stations meet a three-hour weekly quota by airing=20
cartoons and other programs with little informational value. American=20
University professor and longtime kids-TV advocate Kathryn Montgomery=20
worries that the networks will spread their current libraries "as thinly as=
=20
possible" to comply. At the heart of the debate is the FCC's reluctance to=
=20
spell out exactly what qualifies as educational programming. In 1996, the=20
agency left it to broadcasters to decide, spurring complaints that stations=
=20
sometimes tried to sneak in shows like The Flintstones by arguing that they=
=20
taught kids about prehistoric life. Several station groups were embarrassed=
=20
when those attempts came to light, and few go that far anymore, but the=20
debate over quality continues.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Bill McConnell]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA454244?display=3DWashington&r...
ral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

MCCAIN DTV CONVERSION BILL SLATES $1 BILLION FOR CONVERTOR BOXES
On Wednesday, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) is=20
likely to propose -- as part of the Spectrum Availability for Emergency=20
Response and Law Enforcement to Improve Vital Emergency Service Act (the=20
SAVE LIVES Act) -- a $1 billion subsidy for digital television convertor=20
boxes to help speed the transition to digital-only TV broadcasting. The=20
FCC will have firm deadlines for deciding outstanding digital TV issues: 1)=
=20
signal carriage requirements (Jan 2005), 2), 2) broadcaster public interest=
=20
obligations (Jan 2006) and 3) DBS carriage of local broadcast signals (Jan=
=20
2006). The legislation will also direct the Department of Homeland Security=
=20
to study public safety communications in the next year, including: 1) the=20
need for additional spectrum allocation, 2) the ability of public safety=20
entities to utilize wireless
broadband applications, and 3) the communications capabilities of first=20
receivers against proposed increases.
[SOURCE: Communications Daily, AUTHOR: Terry Lane]
(Not available online)
See also --
Reuters:=20
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=3DHSJFUEJIGPRM2CRBAE...
Y?type=3DtechnologyNews&storyID=3D6274959

LAWMAKERS SEEK TO HALT DTV TRANSITION PLAN
Democratic Congressmen Frank Pallone of New Jersey and Rick Boucher of=20
Virginia on Friday urged the FCC to give up on a plan to require=20
broadcasters to make the switch to digital-only TV in 2009. Under current=20
law, broadcasters don't have to make the switch until 85% of the homes in=20
their markets are able to receive DTV signals -- something that's not=20
expected to happen for a decade or more. But in a major change that's=20
expected to go to a vote as soon as this fall, FCC Chairman Michael Powell=
=20
is proposing to modify the agency's regulations to count cable's=20
subscribers toward the penetration cap by 2009, clearing the way for an=20
immediate conversion. In a letter to Chairman Powell, the Members of=20
Congress allege that the FCC's plan runs afoul of the wishes of Congress:=20
"Indeed, abandoning Congress's 85% standard without simultaneously=20
developing a comprehensive policy to address the estimated 70 million=20
analog legacy sets would be illegal as a matter of law and reckless as a=20
matter of public policy. Accordingly, we implore you to postpone this vote=
=20
until further congressional hearings and discussions with your agency can=20
be held."
[SOURCE: TVWeek, AUTHOR: Doug Halonen]
http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=3D6325
See also:
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA454235?display=3DBreaking+New...
ferral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

COMCAST'S DTV TRIPLE PLAY
In a letter sent to the FCC last week, cable giant Comcast said=20
negotiations with digital TV stations broadcasting high-definition (HD)=20
pictures/sound could result in the following: carriage of the HD signal;=20
analog carriage of the HD signal (because nearly two-thirds of Comcast=20
subscribers are still analog-only); and simulcast carriage of the HD signal=
=20
in =93compressed digital=94 format to accommodate subscribers without HD=
boxes.=20
Comcast said it would have to set aside 6 Megahertz for the analog feed,=20
between 2 and 4 MHz for the HD feed, and 0.6 MHz for each compressed=20
digital version =97 a 10-1 digital-to-analog ratio that suggests that only=
=20
one or two 6 MHz analog channels would be needed in most markets to carry=20
every DTV station in that compressed digital format. By offering this=20
scenario, Comcast=92s point was that during and after the broadcasters=92=20
transition to digital, cable companies would have to set aside substantial=
=20
bandwidth to ensure that its subscribers received broadcast programming in=
=20
a manner compatible with the equipment in their homes. Comcast=92s scenario=
=20
was also intended to demonstrate that a requirement that cable companies=20
carry every programming service that a DTV station can cram into its=20
digital bitstream would place additional burdens on cable=92s channel=
capacity.
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA454247?display=3DTop+Stories
(requires subscription)

DIVERSITY

AS MEDIA AUDIENCE FRAGMENTS, TRUST -- NOT OBJECTIVITY -- IS WHAT MATTERS
While it is often couched as a moral issue, the question of journalistic=20
objectivity has an economic basis. To reach a mass audience, a news medium=
=20
has to be trusted by people with many conflicting points of view. Any sign=
=20
of a narrow or special interest could undermine that trust. That's starting=
=20
to change as the mass audience breaks up and its members seek information=20
sources that fit their existing worldviews. As a reader, you can expect a=20
period of confusion while writers and editors try to figure out the new=20
rules. The business of journalism is less about reaching many people with=20
the same message, and more about sending many different messages to smaller=
=20
groups of people. That shift explains Fox News far better than any=20
right-wing leanings its owner might have. Rupert Murdoch makes money by=20
=93narrowcasting=94 to a specialized audience, and to that audience, the=20
reporting really does seem fair and balanced. Today, technology -- driven=20
by computers -- makes specialized production and specialized information=20
possible. As the audience fragments, trust is still important, but it=20
should be based on getting the facts right, not on the pseudo-objectivity=20
that comes from a journalist concealing his or her views.
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR:Philip Meyer, Knight Chair in Journalism at the=20
University of North Carolina]
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20040920/opcom20.art.htm

NEWSROOMS HAVEN'T CHANGED MUCH
There are more minorities in newsrooms than there were a year ago, but it's=
=20
not like you'd notice. An annual survey by the Radio-Television News=20
Directors Association and Ball State University shows that, on average, the=
=20
percentage of minority newsroom hires hasn't changed much in a decade. In=20
1994, minorities made up 18.0% of the TV-newsroom workforce; this year,=20
they are 21.8%. Although the news is welcome, some of the increase may be=20
due to better research methodology. And minority hiring at TV stations=20
isn't growing as fast as the minority population in the US. Possibly,=20
broadcasters' efforts to recruit minority hires may have lessened because=20
the U.S. Court of Appeals kept remanding the FCC's Equal Employment=20
Opportunity rules back to the agency. With or without rules, TV and radio=20
stations employ far more minorities than do newspapers, which have never=20
faced government regulation on hiring. Minorities make up 12.5% of=20
newspaper staffs.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Paige Albiniak]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA454175?display=3DSpecial+Repo...
eferral=3DSUPP
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA454176?display=3DSpecial+Repo...
eferral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

CABLE LAGS IN DIVERSITY: SURVEY
According to the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in=20
Communications=92s (NAMIC) Multi-Ethnic Employment in the Telecommunications=
=20
Industry report, there=92s been little progress in recent years with regard=
=20
to promoting minorities to the executive ranks in cable companies. NAMIC=20
president Jenny Alonzo says cable has been proactive in attracting=20
minorities, but hasn't adequately helped them move up the corporate ladder.
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: R. Thomas Umstead]
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA454252?display=3DTop+Stories
(requires subscription)

QUICKLY

TECH'S FUTURE
Hewlett-Packard has been wrestling with fundamental questions: Does=20
computing technology have a place in villages where electricity is fitful?=
=20
Can it improve people's lives? How can villagers living in poverty pay for=
=20
the latest digital wonders? And HP came up with answers. In place of=20
standard electricity, HP designers created the portable solar charger.=20
Instead of selling gear outright, HP rents the equipment to entrepreneurs.=
=20
During the first 50 years of the info-tech era, about 1 billion people have=
=20
come to use computers, the vast majority of them in North America, Western=
=20
Europe, and Japan. But those markets are maturing. Computer industry sales=
=20
in the U.S. are expected to increase just 6% per year from now to 2008. To=
=20
thrive, the industry must reach out to the next 1 billion customers. And=20
many of those people will come not from the same old places but from=20
far-flung frontiers like Shanghai, Cape Town, and Andhra Pradesh (India).=20
"The robust growth opportunities are clearly shifting to the developing=20
world," says Paul A. Laudicina, managing director at management consultant=
=20
A.T. Kearney.
Lean more about these emerging markets and who's competing there at the URL=
=20
below.
[SOURCE: BusinessWeek, AUTHOR: Steve Hamm]
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_39/b3901013.htm
For more see Technology Can Be The Multiplier, an interview with Sarbuland=
=20
Khan, the Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Information &=20
Communications Technologies Task Force.
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/sep2004/tc20040917_6825.htm

NEXTEL LAYS OUT OBJECTIONS TO 800 MHz REBANDING PLAN
Nextel filed objections with the FCC last week to the rebanding plan meant=
=20
to clear up interference problems between the carrier and public safety=20
users. A key issue Nextel has been raising is whether the order made 2=20
major financial miscalculations. First, Nextel is arguing, the FCC erred in=
=20
not giving it back $400 million to reimburse the costs of filtering=20
equipment it will need to install to make available to public safety the=20
additional 2 MHz in the 800 MHz band it offered in June, in the closing=20
days of negotiations over the FCC=92s order. Second, Nextel is arguing that=
=20
the Wireless Bureau erred in how it calculated the value of the spectrum it=
=20
will receive at 1.9 GHz as a key part of the plan. In the order, the FCC=20
looked at several possible benchmarks -- and low proposals by Nextel and a=
=20
high proposal by Verizon Wireless -- before concluding that the proper=20
per-MHz POP price is $1.70. That translates to $4.86 billion for 10 MHz=20
nationwide. Based on Nextel=92s proposal, the carrier is now asserting, the=
=20
real price should be $300 million-$700 million less.
[SOURCE: Communications Daily, AUTHOR: Howard Buskirk]
(Not available online)

USERS FIND TOO MANY PHISH IN THE INTERNET SEA
A recent flood of fake Citibank e-mail messages demonstrates the growing=20
arsenal of technical and psychological tricks that online tricksters,=20
called phishers, are using to get people to divulge personal information.=20
Hackers first coined the term phishing in the mid-1990's to refer to the=20
art of stealing America Online accounts. But e-mail messages collected by=20
the Anti-Phishing Working Group, an industry association, show that=20
phishers are now going where the money is. In the group's June report, the=
=20
most recent available, it said it had seen 492 different mass-mailings=20
intended to fool Citibank customers. That compared with 285 aimed at eBay=20
users. The messages, and the fake Web sites they direct recipients to, are=
=20
loaded with tricks that in some cases circumvent the tips once given to=20
consumers about how to avoid online fraud.
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: ]
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/20/technology/20phish.html
(requires registration)
See Also:
Money Increasingly Is Motive
For Computer-Virus Attacks
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109563248885821801,00.html?mod=3Dtoda...
s_marketplace
(requires subscription)

A PUC CONSUMER CHAMP DRAWS IRE
California Public Utilities Commissioner Carl Wood's term expires at the=20
end of the year and he is running for the top spot of an AFL-CIO regional=20
organizing and coordinating body. He's gained the support of the=20
Communications Workers of America, California's largest telecommunications=
=20
union. But some are uneasy with this support given that Commissioner Wood=20
is proposing a 20% hike in wholesale telephone rates which CWA also=20
supports. Wood was appointed to the PUC six years ago to represent=20
organized labor's concerns. He has supported measures that help utilities=20
pay higher wages. Most of his increase in the SBC rate case, he said, is=20
based on his projections of higher labor costs. AT&T, MCI and a slew of=20
smaller companies and consumer advocates say that a bump in the wholesale=20
rate not only would drive up the cost of phone service but also could cause=
=20
many carriers to exit the business in California, killing competition=20
altogether.
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: James S. Granelli]
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-wood20sep20,1,1828436...
ry?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business
(requires registration)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Communications-related Headlines is a free online news summary service=20
provided by the Benton Foundation (www.benton.org). Posted Monday through=20
Friday, this service provides updates on important industry developments,=20
policy issues, and other related news events. While the summaries are=20
factually accurate, their often informal tone does not always represent the=
=20
tone of the original articles. Headlines are compiled by Kevin Taglang=20
(headlines( at )benton.org) -- we welcome your comments.
--------------------------------------------------------------