September 2005

[Commentary] There's a new tech bubble emerging nationwide, complete with eager Silicon Valley companies lining up to sell their wares, that could start deflating this morning. The bubble is forming around the notion of city-run WiFi wireless systems, where municipalities buy relatively inexpensive WiFi transmitters, stick them on light poles, and blanket their jurisdictions in a wireless Internet "cloud.'' These networks would reduce the cost of cities meeting their own wireless data needs, at least in theory, while offering low-cost Internet service to residents that undercuts the high-priced duopoly formed by big cable and DSL broadband providers. But Langberg offers some cautions. Wireless Philadelphia is behind schedule and over budget. More than a year after its launch, there are still no details on exactly how much the project will cost or how it will be financed. If the Philadelphia project fails, or ends up owned and operated by a private company, the muni wireless bubble could suddenly grow smaller. Cost-justified projects will move forward, while grandiose dreams will shrivel in the harsh light of fiscal reality.

Wall Street probably would be impressed by a media outfit that managed to double its weekly audience from 13 million to 26 million in a little more than six years. Yet the folks who run National Public Radio insist it's because they don't have to impress Wall Street that they've been able to increase their listenership and, with it, revenue through listener contributions, sponsorships, and foundation support. While the radio world has contracted in upon itself through consolidated ownership and copycat formats, public radio has only become more distinct, important and valuable. It looms ever larger on the U.S. dial simply as guardian of its niche. It's expanding its news operation at a time when most others are cutting back. It's in the midst of a $15 million, three-year plan to add 45 staffers and open new bureaus, including one in West Africa. But more important, listen to an NPR program for 30 seconds and you know you're listening to NPR. Unlike its TV cousin, PBS, whose specialties have been cloned by cable networks that siphon off the viewers underwriters want to reach, it's tough to argue NPR is redundant.

Twelve media reform groups on Wednesday called on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to increase transparency of its decision-making and open its meetings to more public participation. In a letter to CPB President Patricia Harrison, the groups proposed a series of measures to encourage greater openness and accountability at the organization, which is the largest single source of funding for public TV and radio programming. The letter was signed by Common Cause, Free Press, the Center for Digital Democracy, the Benton Foundation, the Center for Creative Voices in Media, Chicago Media Action, Citizens for Independent Public Broadcasting, Hawaii Consumers, Industry Ears, Media Alliance, Reclaim the Media and the Writers Guild of America East. That letter followed unsuccessful attempts by the reform groups to meet with Harrison and individual members of the board before the CPB's September 27 meeting. The groups first raised concerns over the internal workings of CPB after Chairman Kenneth Tomlinson secretly hired a political operative to scrutinize programming on PBS and NPR for signs of "liberal bias." An investigation by Inspector General Kenneth Konz into Tomlinson's actions -- including the hiring of Harrison, former co-chairwoman of the Republican National Committee is due to be completed next month. In a letter sent in late July, the reform groups called on CPB Board members and Harrison to consider a series of resolutions that would make the CPB more transparent and accountable to the American public. Harrison responded in a letter that these concerns already were "addressed by current practice and policy." However, neither the Public Broadcasting Act, the CPB Web site, nor CPB bylaws include language addressing the groups' concerns.

I've been writing this all year, but I really mean it this time -- Senate Commerce Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) said that he plans to circulate draft legislation among senators this week to expedite the transition to digital television. "We're moving forward," Sen Stevens said, adding that "a couple of items" in the draft still must be resolved. He said he plans to meet individually with some senators over the next couple of days to try to settle those issues, and possibly discuss some broader telecommunications issues.