March 2006

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POLICYMAKERS
McDowell Sails Through Hearing For FCC Seat

TELECOM REFORM
Panel Leaders OK National Franchise
McSlarrow Blasts =91Sweetheart=92 Bill
Hispanic Groups Jockey in Franchise Flap
Bells hang up on civil rights

INTERNET
Net Neutrality As Campaign Finance Reform
Net neutrality equals property theft
Google in China: New Media Still Needs the Old West

MEDIA OWNERSHIP
Univision May Have New Suitor
Surprise! McClatchy Makes Top Bid for Knight Ridder
Communities Fear Effect of a Knight Ridder Sale

TELEVISION
Too Much Barnum In Broadcast News
Groups Call for Retrans Reform
Changing U.S. Audience Poses Test for a Giant of Spanish TV

QUICKLY -- US court OKs computer searches for=20
child porn; Hollywood sex scenes attract=20
lawmakers' attention; Miami Beach closer to free=20
Wi-Fi Internet access; Political bloggers may get=20
federal protection; Digital ants wreck the music=20
industry=92s picnic; New ed-tech chief touts=20
'systemic' approach; This Ombud's for You

POLICYMAKERS

MCDOWELL SAILS THROUGH HEARING FOR FCC SEAT
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens=20
(R-Alaska) said he would try to hold a vote on=20
confirmation of FCC nominee Robert McDowell March=20
16. In a short hearing on the nomination that=20
featured not a discouraging word, McDowell=20
invoked the American Revolution in his opening=20
statement, both comparing it to the current=20
communications revolution and saying that he=20
would similarly defend the right of free=20
expression born of that revolution. McDowell, who=20
comes to the commission from a post at telecom=20
lobby Comptel (member companies include BellSouth=20
for one), said that he had been in discussions=20
with the White House and the FCC=92s general=20
counsel's office about possible conflicts and=20
recusal procedures. McDowell said he would take=20
the appropriate steps when necessary. But he also=20
pointed out that commissioners had come straight=20
from private sector companies without mass=20
recusals and asked that his ability to judge=20
impartially not be prejudged. McDowell declared=20
himself a friend of the consumer and the=20
markeplace, and a foe of the regulatory=20
underbrush. He also said he would make it a=20
priority to make sure the digital revolution=20
reached every American, including rural and=20
low-income areas, a particular priority of Sen Stevens'.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6314795?display=3DBreaking+Ne...
referral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)
* FCC nominee favors hands-off stance
http://msn-cnet.com.com/2061-10796_3-6048145.html?part=3Drss&tag=3D60481...
subj=3Dnews
* US FCC nominee pledges to keep open mind on issues
http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=3DmergersNew...
toryID=3D2006-03-09T230742Z_01_N09251572_RTRIDST_0_CONGRESS-TELECOMS-FCC.XML
* FCC nominee addresses concerns about neutrality
http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=3D%7BD5EF3057%2D93...
2D464F%2D826F%2D9B55B78EE45E%7D&dist=3Dnewsfinder&siteid=3Dgoogle&keyword=
=3D
* Senate Questions FCC Nominee On Telecom Mergers
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB114194113247394023.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
e_one
(requires subscription)

TELECOM REFORM

PANEL LEADERS OK NATIONAL FRANCHISE
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
House Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton=20
(R-TX), Telecommunications and the Internet=20
Subcommittee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Reps.=20
Chip Pickering (R-Miss), Committee ranking=20
members John Dingell (D-MI) and Rep Edward Markey=20
(D-MA) have apparently agreed in principle to=20
award a national cable franchise to phone=20
companies and to subject cable operators to=20
continued local franchising requirements until=20
phone rivals have reached 15% local-video-market=20
penetration. Under the House agreement, one=20
provision would withhold regulatory relief from=20
cable until the phone company had secured 15% of=20
local video market. Under current law, cable=20
operators are price-deregulated on the basic tier=20
when pay TV competitors are serving more than 15%=20
of local households. Sources familiar with the=20
agreement stressed that legislative language had=20
not been crafted and that many details had not=20
been worked out. Capitol Hill sources could not=20
elaborate on the 15% test, including whether it=20
meant 15% of local households, 15% of local TV=20
households or 15% of local pay TV households. A=20
second provision would protect phone companies=20
from predatory pricing tactics by cable=20
incumbents. As explained by sources, if the cable=20
company cut its rates to meet or beat=20
phone-company video prices, the cable company=20
would be required to make the price cuts=20
available to its entire local subscriber base,=20
not just those homes served or capable of being=20
served by the local phone company.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6314469.html?display=3DBreaking+News
(requires subscription)
* House Panel Might Debate Telecom Measure Next Week
[SOURCE: Congress Daily, AUTHOR: Drew Clark]
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-FHQN1141915457539.html
* Commerce Minds Meeting on National Franchise
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6314544?display=3DBreaking+Ne...
referral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)
In a related story...
* Verizon Details Delays
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Verizon told the FCC Wednesday that delays caused=20
by local franchise negotiations continue to delay=20
the roll-out of its FiOS video service. In=20
additional comments in the FCC's inquiry into=20
franchise reform, the telco said that of 95=20
negotiations pending as of March 1, 2005, only 10=20
had been granted. Of 238 negotiations in progress=20
as of six months ago, it said, only 15 franchises=20
have been granted. Of the total 301 negotiations=20
still underway, said Verizon, 22 are into their=20
15th month, 85 are over a year and the rest=20
between six months and a year, said the company.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6314774?display=3DBreaking+Ne...
referral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

MCSLARROW BLASTS 'SWEETHEART' BILL
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
National Cable & Telecommunications Association=20
president Kyle McSlarrow urged key House members=20
Thursday to reconsider terms of a draft bill that=20
would create a national video franchise for phone=20
companies and deny cable operators similar relief=20
until their phone rivals had grabbed 15% of the=20
market. =93This is clearly a sweetheart deal for an=20
industry that doesn't deserve a special break and=20
a competitive advantage over anybody, let alone=20
the cable industry,=94 McSlarrow said in a=20
late-afternoon conference call with reporters.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6314826.html?display=3DBreaking+News
(requires subscription)

HISPANIC GROUPS JOCKEY IN FRANCHISE FLAP
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
In early February, Esteban Torres, chairman of the National
Latino Media Council and former congressman,=20
wrote Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), chairman of=20
the Senate Commerce Committee, and committee=20
members urging them to "streamline the current=20
system of local cable TV franchises and open the=20
cable market to real competition." Turns out all=20
the members of the coalition weren't on board,=20
though a majority had voted to send the letter.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6314473?display=3DBreaking+Ne...
referral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

BELLS HANG UP ON CIVIL RIGHTS
[SOURCE: Tucson Citizen, AUTHOR: Lillian=20
Rodr=EDguez-L=F3pez, president of the Hispanic Federation]
[Commentary] The giant telephone companies want=20
to get into the cable television business. But=20
there is a catch. Rather than play by the rules,=20
they want to end the federal and local=20
anti-discrimination protections that have helped=20
to close the digital divide by making sure=20
competition for the latest broadband and video=20
services comes to Hispanic, African-American and=20
working-class communities. If the phone companies=20
get their way, the digital divide may widen. Many=20
Hispanic and other traditionally underserved=20
communities will lack parity of access to the=20
competitive broadband technologies so critical=20
for educational and professional advancement in=20
today's world. Here's the simple fact: Nothing is=20
standing in the way of television companies=20
competing for cable services but the phone=20
companies, which shouldn't be given the legal=20
authority to discriminate. We welcome more=20
competition and more choice, but only if every community can benefit.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/news/opinion/030906_guest2ONLINE

INTERNET

NET NEUTRALITY AS CAMPAIGN FIANCE REFORM
[SOURCE: Tales from the Sausage Factory, AUTHOR: Harold Feld]
[Commentary] It is quite possible that the most=20
important piece of campaign finance reform to=20
pass in 2006 will be Senator Wyden's =93Internet=20
Non-Discrimination Act of 2006.=94 Until now the=20
Internet did not require candidates to raise huge=20
amounts of money to pay for the ability to reach=20
voters. Without Net Neutrality, all that changes.=20
The Internet will increasingly come to resemble=20
radio, television and cable, where the=20
well-funded buy their way onto your screen and=20
the rest get crowded out. Not because of any evil=20
corporate conspiracy or antidemocracy cabal, but=20
because of the iron rules of economics. If=20
companies can make money charging political=20
speakers for premium access, they will. If that's=20
bad for democracy and free speech, too bad.=20
Companies aren't in business to promote=20
democracy, but to maximize value for=20
shareholders. If that means that well-funded=20
candidates and talk radio hosts can buy =93premium=94=20
access while independent bloggers and pod casters=20
can't, that's what will happen. Too bad about=20
that democracy and free speech thing. Nothing=20
against it you understand but, y'know, it's just=20
business. Publicly traded companies exist for one=20
purpose =97 to maximize shareholder value.=20
According to free market boosters, that's what=20
makes them so incredibly efficient and wonderful.=20
As a result, they will maximize revenue wherever=20
permitted. They are not about promoting free=20
speech or democracy. While that may be fine when=20
two appliance companies try to sell you different=20
brands of toasters, it can cause all kinds of=20
=93unintended consequences=94 in the =93marketplace of ideas.=94
http://www.wetmachine.com/item/453
See also --
* Building Momentum from the Internet=20
Communications Industry for "Net Neutrality"
[SOURCE: Jeff Pulver Blog]
[Commentary] As I have been blogging for so many=20
months/years now, the Net Neutrality issue will=20
be the seminal issue to determine the rules=20
shaping the future of the Internet. It is now=20
clear that Net Neutrality will be at the heart of=20
Congressional debate in the US Congress this=20
year. To that end, we are trying to build a=20
groundswell of support from Internet innovators,=20
entrepreneurs and enthusiasts who might not=20
normally participate in the political process.
http://pulverblog.pulver.com/archives/003862.html

THINK TANK FORUM: NET NEUTRALITY EQUALS PROPERTY THEFT
[SOURCE: InfoWorld, AUTHOR: Grant Gross, IDG News Service]
Speakers affiliated with Progress and Freedom=20
Foundation , promoting its own bill to deregulate=20
broadband providers, criticized net neutrality=20
bills, which would prohibit broadband providers=20
such as AT&T and Comcast from blocking or slowing=20
services to competing services such as VOIP=20
(voice over Internet Protocol). "There's nothing=20
neutral about net neutrality," said Jeffrey=20
Eisenach, chairman of the consulting firm=20
CapAnalysis Group and co-founder of PFF. "Net=20
neutrality is, in fact, the theft of property=20
rights from [broadband] infrastructure providers.=20
It's simple regulatory theft -- the transfer of=20
ownership from one group of people to another group of people."
http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/03/09/76291_HNnetneutrality_1.html
* Internet Non-Discrimination Act: Friend or Foe?
http://www.adotas.com/2006/03/internet-non-discrimination-act-friend-or-...

GOOGLE IN CHINA: NEW MEDIA STILL NEEDS OLD WEST
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Danial Henninger]
[Commentary] Defending his company's presence in=20
China before a House committee recently, Yahoo=20
Senior Vice President Michael Callahan=20
articulated the ethos of the Internet on behalf=20
of the whole wide world of Web believers -- from=20
inventor Al Gore down to the lowliest bedroom=20
blogger and back up to Google zillionaire=20
founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page. Speaketh Mr.=20
Callahan: "We believe the Internet can positively=20
transform lives, societies and economies. We=20
believe the Internet is built on openness."=20
Despite its claims to special status as the=20
guardian angel of unfettered expression, the=20
Internet industry's commercial success -- and=20
indeed that of the Internet itself -- depends=20
crucially on including in its mantras a=20
commitment to protecting the ideas of private=20
markets and free trade, ideas equally responsible=20
for the long-running success of the Western=20
tradition, which gave us the Internet. It would=20
be naive to think it is going to be possible to=20
fence off Internet speech from attempts by=20
governments and activists to impair markets and=20
trade. Maybe the Google Foundation could pitch a=20
penny or two into that fight. The Internet in its=20
relative infancy is like a child exercising new=20
freedom primarily through challenges to orderly=20
systems -- old retailing models, old media, old=20
privacy rights, old libel standards, even old=20
notions of parental control. Some of the pushed,=20
notably governments with statutory power, are=20
going to push back. Part of this process of=20
challenge and progress, then, will have to=20
include rediscovering and redefending some very=20
old Western ideas and values. Free speech is one, but it is not the only on=
e.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB114195870307294450.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
nion
(requires subscription)
* Rock 'n' Rolling Into China
Rolling Stone's China launch illustrates the=20
possibilities -- and difficulties -- of=20
journalism in one of the world's most censored=20
media markets, where readers looking for edgy=20
content and the Communist Party must both be satisfied.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB114195658678494390.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
ketplace
(requires subscription)

MEDIA OWNERSHIP

UNIVISION MAY HAVE NEW SUITOR
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Andrew Ross Sorkin]
A consortium of companies and investors that=20
includes the Mexican television giant Grupo=20
Televisa has emerged as a potential bidder for=20
Univision, the largest Spanish-language=20
television and radio company in the United=20
States. The consortium includes private equity=20
firms Providence Equity Partners and Madison=20
Dearborn Partners, as well as the Cisneros Group=20
of Venezuela and the media entrepreneur Haim=20
Saban, according to people involved in the group.=20
The team has an inherent advantage in the closely=20
watched auction because Televisa has a contract=20
through 2017 to provide Univision with much of=20
its programming, potentially making it more=20
viable for the company to make a higher bid than=20
its rivals. As a major gateway to the growing=20
Hispanic audience in the United States, Univision=20
set off a flurry of speculation about possible=20
bidders last month when it confirmed that it=20
would offer itself for sale. UBS is running the=20
sale process. Media giants like CBS and Time=20
Warner are also seriously weighing bids, people=20
close to those companies said. A handful of other=20
private equity firms are also planning to bid,=20
and some are trying to team up with bigger media=20
companies. Blackstone Group, for example, has=20
held talks about joining CBS, these people said.=20
Texas Pacific Group is also actively exploring a=20
bid, these people said. For more on Televisa see=20
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=3Dnode/1638
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/10/business/media/10univision.html
(requires registration)
* Televisa, Private Equity Firm May Bid Jointly for Univision
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-uni10mar10,1,4900542....
ry?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business
(requires registration)

SURPRISE! MCCLATCHY MAKES TOP BID FOR KNIGHT RIDDER
[SOURCE: Editor&Publisher, AUTHOR: Jennifer Saba]
McClatchy has turned in the top bid for Knight=20
Ridder =96 an offer of roughly $65 per share in a=20
cash and stock deal =96 The Wall Street Journal=20
reported late Thursday night. Knight Ridder=20
spokesman Polk Laffoon would not comment but he=20
did say that no deal has been reached. The=20
auction will be in play at least until Sunday; an=20
announcement is not expected until several days=20
after March 12. Gannett, MediaNews Group, and=20
private equity firms are reportedly still in the process.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1002156193
* Pioneer Press employees aren't cheering on McClatchy
[SOURCE: Romenesko, AUTHOR: David Hanners, St. Paul Pioneer Press]
http://poynter.org/forum/view_post.asp?id=3D11192

COMMUNITIES FEAR EFFECT OF A KNIGHT RIDDER SALE
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Joseph Menn]
As newspaper giant Knight Ridder Inc. began=20
mulling over buyout bids after a 5 p.m. deadline=20
Thursday, investors and employees weren't the=20
only ones worrying about the future. Readers and=20
community leaders around the country also are=20
concerned that new owners of the nation's No. 2=20
newspaper chain will scale back coverage, install=20
unfamiliar leaders or cut charity and other civic=20
efforts. Cost cutting is likely to pay=20
acquisition costs. Sooner or later, those cuts=20
would translate into reduced coverage and a=20
diminished civic dialogue, said John McManus,=20
director of a journalism watchdog project at San=20
Jose State University, near Knight Ridder's=20
corporate headquarters and flagship newspaper,=20
the San Jose Mercury News. "If newsrooms lose 25%=20
of the people and are paid less, which I think=20
will happen, then the quality of news will damage=20
the civic vitality of these communities," McManus=20
said. Even people who don't read a paper will=20
suffer, he said, because "a lot of what local TV,=20
local radio and bloggers do is based on what they=20
learn from the newspaper." He said the changes=20
might be more profound in places like Aberdeen,=20
population 25,000. "People in smaller and medium=20
markets are more dependent on the monopoly papers=20
than in larger markets," he said.
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-knight10mar10,1,99719...
tory?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business
(requires registration)

TELEVISION

TOO MUCH BARNUM IN BROADCAST NEWS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Bill Wheatley, executive VP of NBC news before=20
retiring nine months ago, accepted a First=20
Amendment Service award at a Washington banquet=20
Thursday night, but with a caveat. Wheatley, who=20
Meet the Press host Tim Russert described as the=20
heart, soul and compass of NBC News, said that=20
celebrating the First Amendment is not only about=20
protecting journalist's rights, but also about=20
"encouraging the kind of journalism that shows=20
that we understand that with those rights come=20
responsibilities." Wheatley criticized the=20
increasing government crackdown on the free flow=20
of information, a theme sounded throughout a=20
night of salutes to journalists at the=20
Radio-Television News Director's Foundation First=20
Amendment Awards. But Wheatley says he as met the=20
biggest enemy, and it is us, arguing that most of=20
the credibility wound is self-inflicted. "With=20
the exception of public broadcasters," he said,=20
"we have always been a business as well as a=20
public service. But lately in news organizations,=20
there seems to be more emphasis on the business=20
than on the service." "Important subjects aren't=20
covered because they aren't considered to be=20
audience-friendly. Poverty and race are good=20
examples," he said. And in the choosing the=20
subjects that are covered, he said, "there is an=20
undue concentration on heat rather than light.=20
Stories are promoted in breathless tones more=20
appropriate to Barnum than to broadcasting."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6314838.html?display=3DBreaki...
News&referral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

GROUPS CALL FOR RETRANS REFORM
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Steve Donohue]
EchoStar Communications and groups representing=20
small and rural cable distributors teamed up=20
Thursday to ask Congress to reform=20
retransmission-consent rules. Pointing to a=20
recent statement from CBS Corp. CEO Les Moonves=20
-- who said the company hopes to reap =93hundreds=20
of millions of dollars=94 by getting distributors=20
to pay for carrying CBS -- the groups argued that=20
satellite and cable distribution drives broadcast=20
ad revenue, and that they, therefore, shouldn't=20
be asked to pay for the programming. The groups=20
also complained that media conglomerates Disney,=20
News Corp., Viacom and NBC Universal have used=20
retransmission consent to force distributors to=20
carry cable programming on basic tiers.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6314667.html?display=3DBreaking+News
(requires subscription)
* Hill Hears It on Retrans Reform
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6314756?display=3DBreaking+Ne...
referral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

CHANGING US AUDIENCE POSES TEST FOR A GIANT OF SPANISH TV
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Mireya Navarro]
Catering to the country's growing Latino=20
population =97 40 million and counting =97 Univision=20
now challenges ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, especially=20
in big coastal cities like New York, Los Angeles=20
and Miami, occasionally beating them in the=20
ratings with its sexy, soapy prime-time shows.=20
But as would-be buyers prepare bids for Univision=20
Communications, a consortium including Grupo=20
Televisa of Mexico, which supplies many of the=20
network's shows, emerged Thursday as a potential=20
bidder. Any new owner would have to wrestle with=20
the shifting dynamics of the company's audience.=20
More Latinos are American-born and=20
English-speaking, and their tastes in television=20
are changing more quickly than Univision's shows.=20
That poses challenges not only for Univision but=20
for other Spanish- and English-language networks.=20
For the first time, networks on each side of the=20
language divide could significantly expand their=20
audiences by pursuing the same demographic group:=20
second- and third-generation Latinos who are=20
bilingual or speak mostly English and are as=20
likely to watch "Fear Factor" on NBC as "El Gordo=20
y la Flaca" ("The Scoop and the Skinny") on=20
Univision, and who are largely underserved in=20
either language. "This audience wants to be=20
validated," said Jeff Valdez, founder of SiTV, a=20
two-year-old English-language cable network that=20
caters to young Latinos and multicultural urban=20
youth. "They want to see themselves on screen.=20
They want to hear their stories." The guidebook=20
on how to appeal to this acculturated yet=20
ethnically proud audience is still a work in progress.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/10/business/media/10visi.html?hp&ex=3D114...
3200&en=3D867f33b0560765e3&ei=3D5094&partner=3Dhomepage
(requires registration)

QUICKLY

US COURT OKs COMPUTER SEARCHES FOR CHILD PORN
[SOURCE: Reuters]
Police may search computer hard drives for child=20
pornography if their owners subscribe to Web=20
sites selling the images, a U.S. appeals court=20
ruled on Thursday. There is a "fair probability"=20
customers of child pornography Web sites receive=20
or download the illegal images, opening the door=20
for police searches, according to the ruling by=20
the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=3DinternetNews&storyID=
=3D2006-03-09T223543Z_01_N09200034_RTRUKOC_0_US-CRIME-CHILDPORN.xml

HOLLYWOOD SEX SCENES ATTRACT LAWMAKERS' ATTENTION
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Brooks Boliek]
The House of Representatives has approved=20
child-safety legislation that includes a=20
provision bringing some legitimate film and TV=20
productions under the same federal-reporting=20
requirements as X-rated films. Under a provision=20
inserted in the Children's Safety and Violent=20
Crime Reduction Act, the legislation would=20
require "any book, magazine, periodical, film,=20
videotape or other matter" that contains a=20
simulated sex scene to come under the same=20
government-filing requirements that adult films=20
have to meet. Currently, any filmed sexual=20
activity requires an affidavit that lists the=20
names and ages of the actors who engage in the=20
act. The film is required to have a video label=20
that claims compliance with the law and lists=20
where the custodian of the records can be found.=20
The record-keeping requirement is known as=20
Section 2257, for its citation in federal law.=20
Violators could spend five years in jail. Under=20
the provision authored by Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN)=20
the definition of sexual activity is expanded to=20
include simulated sex acts like those that appear=20
in many movies and TV shows. While the overall=20
bill is designed to give law enforcement=20
officials more power to prosecute violent sexual=20
predators and sets up a comprehensive national=20
sex-offender registration system, it includes the=20
language targeting motion pictures, TV shows and other material.
http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=3DfilmNews&storyID=3...
06-03-09T035909Z_01_N08531350_RTRIDST_0_FILM-SEX-DC.XML

MIAMI BEACH CLOSER TO FREE WI-FI ACCESS
[SOURCE: Miami Herald, AUTHOR: Susan Anasagasti sanasagasti( at )MiamiHerald.com]
The Miami Beach City Commission approved a=20
contract to install a wireless Internet network=20
that will be accessible throughout the city.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/14052845.htm

POLITICAL BLOGGERS MAY GET FEDERAL PROTECTION
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Declan McCullagh]
Bloggers would be largely immunized from hundreds=20
of pages of confusing federal regulations dealing=20
with election laws, according to a bill approved=20
by the House Administration Committee on=20
Thursday. The bill would amend federal campaign=20
finance laws to give Internet publishers many of=20
the same freedoms that newspapers and magazines currently enjoy.
http://news.com.com/Political+bloggers+may+get+federal+protection/2100-1...
_3-6047902.html?tag=3Dhtml.alert

DIGITAL ANTS WRECK THE MUSIC INDUSTRY'S PICNIC
[SOURCE: Financial Times, AUTHOR: Adam Singer, MCPS-PRS Alliance]
[Commentary] There is a fear in the music=20
industry that while digital distribution in the=20
guise of broadband, digital radio,=20
third-generation phones and more than 1bn iTunes=20
downloads will not diminish the demand for music,=20
it might erode those big institutions that supply=20
it. While music continues to release natural=20
opioids in the brain and to bring pleasure there=20
will always be a demand for it. It is just that=20
the institutions that once delivered it have no=20
analog-given right to longevity.
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/8d57ef4c-af9e-11da-b417-0000779e2340.html
(requires subscription)

NEW ED-TECH CHIEF TOUTS 'SYSTEMIC' APPROACH
[SOURCE: eSchool News, AUTHOR: Corey Murray]
In an interview with eSchool News, Tim Magner,=20
newly appointed head of the federal Office of=20
Educational Technology, explains his vision for=20
the future of technology in the nation's=20
schools--and answers criticism from many in the=20
ed-tech community about the federal government's=20
recent cuts to ed-tech funding.
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStoryts.cfm?ArticleID=3D6185

THIS OMBUD'S FOR YOU
[SOURCE: AlterNet, AUTHOR: Rory O'Connor, AlterNet]
[Commentary] Ken Bode, PBS's exacting ombudsman,=20
says his job is journalism, not politics -- but=20
he sure acts a lot like a liberal.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/33220/
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...and we're outta here. Have a great weekend.
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Communications-related Headlines is a free online=20
news summary service provided by the Benton=20
Foundation (www.benton.org). Posted Monday=20
through Friday, this service provides updates on=20
important industry developments, policy issues,=20
and other related news events. While the=20
summaries are factually accurate, their often=20
informal tone does not always represent the tone=20
of the original articles. Headlines are compiled=20
by Kevin Taglang headlines( at )benton.org -- we welcome your comments.
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