September 2006

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NEWS FROM NOMINATION HEARING
Testimony of FCC Chairman Kevin Martin
Testimony of John Kneuer, NTIA
Boxer Says FCC 'Stifled' Local News Data
FCC Chairman Expresses Consolidation Concerns
Martin Says FCC Shouldn't Regulate Online Video
FCC To Await Congress On Emergency Alert

TELECOM REFORM BILL
Key Hill Aides Share Insight Into Telecom Debate
Net Neutrality 'May Well' Kill Bill, Says Stevens
State Groups Fight Pre-Emption For Wireless Industry In Telecom Bi=
ll
Net Neutrality not Going Away
Electronics group restates case for Net Neutrality
Heed the Threat to Internet Fairness

MORE FCC NEWS
FCC Ignores America's Broadband Woes
Where Are TV Complaints From Kids?
FCC sets Roadmap for using Vacant TV Airwaves
Comcast Won't Be a Cellular Competitor

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
House GOP Leaders Fight Wiretapping Limits
Democrats Call NSA's Input To Senate Panel Inappropriate
Critics Dispute Impact of China's Revised Media Rules
Proposed Treaty on TV Signals Spurs Criticism

QUICKLY -- Time to Sell-off of Magazine Titles;=20
New York Times Exploring Sale of Stations;=20
Mainstream Media Outpacing Everyone on Web; NYC=20
orders $500 million emergency data network; Moonves Still Eyeing Retrans Ca=
sh

NEWS FROM NOMINATION HEARING

TESTIMONY OF FCC CHAIRMAN KEVIN MARTIN
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
"If reconfirmed, I would continue to make=20
decisions based on a fundamental belief that a=20
robust, competitive marketplace, not regulation,=20
is ultimately the greatest protector of the=20
public interest. Competition is the best method=20
of delivering the benefits of choice, innovation,=20
and affordability to American=20
consumers. Competition drives prices down and=20
spurs providers to improve service and create new=20
products. Government, however, still has an=20
important role to play. The Commission should=20
focus on creating a regulatory environment that=20
promotes investment and competition, setting the=20
rules of the road so that players can compete on=20
a level playing field. For example, high speed=20
Internet access offered by a phone company should=20
be treated the same way as high speed Internet=20
access offered by a cable operator. Government=20
also must act when necessary to achieve broader=20
social goals. Thus, while I support eliminating=20
economic regulations, I recognize that there are=20
issues that the marketplace alone might not fully=20
address. For instance, government should ensure=20
that people with disabilities have access to=20
communications in the same manner as all=20
Americans, that people in rural areas, schools=20
and libraries have access to affordable, current=20
technology, and that the communications needs of=20
the public safety community are met." Chairman=20
Martin noted these achievements: 1) "I have made=20
broadband deployment my highest priority at the=20
Commission." "During my tenure as Chairman, the=20
Commission has worked hard to create a regulatory=20
environment that promotes broadband=20
deployment. We have removed legacy regulations,=20
like tariffs and price controls, that discourage=20
carriers from investing in their broadband=20
networks, and we worked to create a regulatory=20
level playing-field among broadband platforms."=20
2) "When I first became Chairman, I identified=20
public safety and emergency preparedness as=20
another top priority. 3) "The Commission has=20
taken a number of important actions over the past=20
year to fulfill our statutory goal of ensuring=20
that every person has equal access to this=20
nation's communications services." 4) "The=20
Commission remains committed to pursuing=20
fundamental universal service contribution and distribution reform as neede=
d."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267390A1.doc
* The NAB has endorsed the renomination of FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6370977?display=3DBreaking+News

TESTIMONY OF JOHN M.R. KNEUER, NATIONAL=20
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
[SOURCE: National Telecommunications and Information Administration]
In his opening statement to the Senate Commerce=20
Committee, John Kneuer highlighted the role of=20
the NTIA in providing telecommunications policy=20
analysis to the Secretary of Commerce and the=20
President, and managing the federal government=20
use of the radio spectrum. He said, "Throughout=20
the Bush Administration, this intersection of=20
telecommunications policy and spectrum management=20
has been the key focus of NTIA. Working=20
collaboratively with our partners in industry and=20
across government, we have made large amounts of=20
spectrum available for wireless broadband and=20
other innovative services while continuing to=20
provide access for critical federal and public=20
safety systems." He also noted the NTIA's new=20
responsibilities concerning digital television.=20
"NTIA has recently been entrusted with=20
significant responsibilities related to the=20
digital television transition. These include=20
providing financial assistance to consumers for=20
the purchase of digital-to-analog conversion=20
devices, and funding state and local government's=20
acquisition and implementation of interoperable=20
communications equipment. We are already working=20
to ensure that these critical programs are=20
executed as efficiently and equitably as=20
possible. If confirmed, I am committed to=20
working with the Congress to make the DTV=20
transition a success for all Americans."
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/_files/KneuerOpeningStatementFinal.doc

BOXER SAYS FCC 'STIFLED' LOCAL NEWS DATA
[SOURCE: tvnewsday, AUTHOR: Harry A. Jessell]
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) used FCC Chairman=20
Kevin Martin=92s re-nomination hearing this morning=20
to accuse the agency of suppressing a=20
two-year-old agency study that she said finds=20
that locally-owned TV stations produce more local=20
news. =93I think there=92s work that has been done=20
and it has been stifled,=94 Boxer told Martin=20
during questioning before the Senate Commerce=20
Committee. =93And I don't know who stifled it.=94=20
Boxer said that she had obtained (and would=20
submit into the hearing record) a =93draft report=94=20
by FCC staff dated June 17, 2004=97=93Do Local Owner=20
Do More Localism? Some Evidence from Local=20
Broadcast News.=94 According to the study, Boxer=20
said, locally owned stations produced=20
five-and-a-half minutes more local news for each=20
half-hour newscast, including more than three=20
minutes of =93on-location news.=94 She then quoted a=20
portion of the study: =93In the course of a year,=20
this means locally-owned stations produce 33 more=20
hours of regional news=97news that's directly=20
relevant and important to viewers.=94 =93Now this is=20
not national security, for god=92s sake,=94 Boxer=20
said. =93This is important information about issues=20
that are key to the people=85. So, I don't=20
understand who deep-sixed this thing. I'm going=20
to get to the bottom of it and find out if any=20
commissioners saw this.=94 Martin said that he had=20
never seen the study, noting that he was not=20
chairman at the time the study was dated. Martin=20
promised Boxer that he would read the study and=20
make sure that it is incorporated into a long=20
overdue localism study that Martin predecessor, Michael Powell, had initiat=
ed.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2006/09/12/daily.7/
* Martin Seeking Source of Mystery Paper
Chairman Martin's office says that neither he nor=20
anyone had seen a 2004 FCC "working paper" that=20
concludes that local ownership means more local=20
news, a finding the report says "may have policy=20
indications for both the Congress and the FCC.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6371192.html?display=3DBreaki...
News

FCC CHAIRMAN EXPRESSES CONSOLIDATION CONCERNS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin told the Senate=20
Commerce Committee Tuesday that he recognized=20
that the media industry had become more=20
concentrated since the 1996 Telecommunications=20
Act, that he was concerned about it, and that he=20
was keeping an open mind during the Commission's=20
latest attempt to rewrite its ownership rules.=20
But Martin also it said that it depends on how=20
you measure it. He said that, in general, there=20
had been more consolidation, but also said there=20
was an increase in the availability of news and=20
information via the Web and cable. Several=20
senators questioned Chairman Martin on the issue=20
of localism, which he called one of the key goals=20
of regulation. He promised that he has staff=20
working on a report on an open proceeding on the issue.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6370914?display=3DBreaking+News
* Big Media Gives FCC Chair Pause
http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=3D100...
0927
* Martin Says He's Re-Examining Media Ownership Issues
http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=3D10725
* FCC Chairman Kevin Martin Testifies Before Senate Commerce Committee
http://www.drewclark.com/2006/09/fcc-chairman-kevin-martin-testifies.shtml
* FCC chief grilled on media ownership vote
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117949946?categoryid=3D18&cs=3D1&nid=3...
67

MARTIN SAYS FCC SHOULDN'T REGULATE ONLINE VIDEO
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin says he does not think=20
the FCC should be regulating Google Video,=20
YouTube or other online video services. During=20
his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday, Chairman=20
Martin said that he did not think the Internet=20
should be taxed, or that it should be subject to=20
payments into the Universal Service Fund for=20
rural telecommunications, which he said would=20
discourage broadband rollouts by raising the=20
price. As to online video, he said that it is=20
"not necessary to regulate [Internet video=20
service] at this time." On the broader Internet=20
regulation issue of network neutrality, Chairman=20
Martin said he did not oppose Google charging=20
more to companies for higher-profile placement on=20
their search engine, and likewise did not opposed=20
a telephone company like Verizon charging more=20
for higher-bandwidth services like streaming=20
video, suggesting that if they could not, the=20
might not be able to afford to provide those=20
services. Chairman Martin said he didn't think=20
the FCC had the authority to regulate online=20
content, as it does with broadcast, but that=20
doesn't mean he wouldn't like to. He told Senator=20
Mark Pryor (D-Ark) that he thought "all=20
policymakers should try to make the Internet a=20
more decent place," but said that was a=20
challenge, pointing out that it had been=20
challenging enough in the broadcast space, where=20
the FCC does have authority to regulate decency.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6370828?display=3DBreaking+News

FCC TO AWAIT CONGRESS ON EMERGENCY ALERT
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Look for the FCC to keep its open proceeding on a=20
revised emergency alert system open until the end=20
of the year. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin told the=20
Senate Commerce Committee Tuesday that he would=20
be willing to delay that proceeding's conclusion=20
to give Congress a chance to weigh in on its own=20
proposal for a wireless-based alert system.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6371021?display=3DBreaking+News

TELECOM REFORM BILL

KEY HILL AIDES SHARE INSIGHT INTO TELECOM DEBATE
[SOURCE: Technology Daily 9/8, AUTHOR: Heather Greenfield]
The staff director of the Senate Commerce=20
Committee told communications attorneys that=20
Chairman Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, is still talking=20
one-on-one with senators to secure the votes=20
needed to debate telecommunications legislation.=20
Lisa Sutherland said at a Capitol Hill briefing=20
that since Stevens returned to Washington this=20
week, he had been busy with floor debate of the=20
fiscal 2007 Defense appropriations bill. But she=20
added, "That's not such a bad place to talk with=20
people... Sen. Stevens remains optimistic he can=20
get 60 votes. He's working with Sen. [Daniel]=20
Inouye to get the bill up." James Assey, the=20
counsel for Hawaii's Inouye, the ranking Democrat=20
on the committee, did not sound as optimistic=20
that a vote would happen this session, saying it=20
is such a multifaceted version compared with the=20
House's. "We just have to wait and see," Assey=20
said. Rumors have circulated that Stevens may try=20
to divide the bill and attach it to different=20
appropriations bills. "If he's doing that, it's=20
news to me," Sutherland said. "Sen. Stevens isn't=20
going to do something Sen. Inouye has major=20
heartburn with." She said if some senators do not=20
like sections of the entire bill, they can offer amendments then.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-JVBT1158089061695.html

NET NEUTRALITY 'MAY WELL' KILL BILL, SAYS STEVENS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), chairman of the=20
Senate Commerce Committee, said Tuesday that the=20
issue of Net Neutrality may well kill his=20
communications bill. He said the controversy "may=20
well lead to its total defeat after 19 months" of=20
work. At the nomination hearing of FCC Chairman=20
Kevin Martin, Sen Stevens asked Martin whether=20
the FCC had identified any cable or telephone=20
networks that had blocked access to content.=20
Chairman Martin said there was one instance, that=20
the Commission moved swiftly to address. He also=20
said he thought the FCC had the authority to step=20
in whenever it identified such violations. He=20
said the FCC has monitored the marketplace vigilantly.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6370824?display=3DBreaking+News
* Net neutrality bill may die this year
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Anne Broache]
http://news.com.com/Net+neutrality+bill+may+die+this+year/2100-1028_3-61...
16.html?tag=3Dhtml.alert

STATE GROUPS FIGHT PRE-EMPTION FOR WIRELESS INDUSTRY TELECOM BILL
[SOURCE: Technology Daily, AUTHOR: David Hatch]
A broad coalition of state utility groups,=20
attorneys general and watchdogs urged lawmakers=20
to kill a proposal to pre-empt state regulation=20
of the wireless industry. The language -- part of=20
a comprehensive telecommunications overhaul=20
measure that cleared the Senate Commerce=20
Committee in late June -- would place the FCC in=20
charge of handling wireless customer complaints.=20
"Why is this section in the bill today?" Billy=20
Jack Gregg, director of the consumer advocate=20
division of West Virginia's Public Service=20
Commission, asked rhetorically at a briefing for=20
Hill staffers. Answering his own question Gregg=20
asserted, "One reason: CTIA, the cellular=20
association, got it in there. Why? For consumers?=20
No. For the wireless industry" -- so that it=20
could avoid state regulatory oversight. Gregg and=20
other speakers said state regulators would lose=20
the ability to resolve disputes involving=20
billing, contracts, coverage areas, deceptive=20
practices and other concerns if the language is=20
enacted. Jeannine Kenney, a senior policy analyst=20
at Consumers Union, insisted the FCC does not=20
have the resources to handle customer complaints.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-TOXX1158088861768.html

NET NEUTRALITY NOT GOING AWAY
[SOURCE: TelephonyOnline, AUTHOR: Carol Wilson]
Proponents of Net neutrality are vowing to keep=20
fighting well past this fall's election and say=20
their grassroots movement is gaining ground.=20
There is increased skepticism that any telecom=20
bill will pass this fall, because of the short=20
congressional session in advance of the election=20
and some opposition in the Senate to Sen. Ted=20
Stevens' (R-Alaska) pending telecom reform bill.=20
The leaders of SavetheInternet.com and the It's=20
Our Net Coalition say they will keep building=20
grassroots support for Net neutrality legislation=20
with the intent of making it part of any telecom=20
reform that takes place in 2007. =93We would be=20
quite happy to sit down tomorrow and negotiate a=20
deal with the other side where we put Net=20
neutrality into the telecom bill and pass it this=20
year,=94 said Ben Scott, policy director of=20
FreePress and SavetheInternet.com. =93Failing that,=20
we will come back next year, and we will be at=20
the head of a massive movement that will have=20
grown because we will keep building it, and we=20
will have solid support to do Net neutrality next=20
year. Realistically, it is likely to be attached=20
to a larger telecom vehicle next year. But with=20
sufficient pressure from below, there could be a=20
stand-alone Net neutrality bill.=94
http://telephonyonline.com/mag/telecom_net_neutrality_not/

ELECTRONICS GROUP RESTATES CASE FOR NET NEUTRALITY
[SOURCE: San Francisco Chronicle, AUTHOR: Tom Abate]
The American Electronics Association reiterated=20
its position that Congress should enact=20
regulations to maintain the status quo with=20
regard to broadband pricing, namely that all=20
Internet traffic should get the same treatment at=20
the same price. Proponents call this "Network=20
Neutrality." In a 4-page report titled "The Case=20
for Preserving Network Neutrality," the AEA=20
repeats many familiar arguments about giving too=20
much pricing power to telephone and cable firms=20
that provide more than 90 percent of the=20
broadband access in the United States. But the=20
report adds one new bit of information to the=20
debate: how much content providers already pay to=20
pump electronic traffic through the Web.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=3D19&entry_id=3...
21
* The Case for Preserving Network Neutrality
http://www.aeanet.org/PressRoom/prac_091206_net_neutrality.asp

HEED THE THREAT TO INTERNET FAIRNESS
[SOURCE: Philadelphia Inquirer, AUTHOR: Craig Newmark, craigslist.org]
[Commentary] The Internet allows people to help=20
one another because it is pretty much a level=20
playing field. Its inherent culture is about=20
giving everyone a fair shot at success. There's a=20
term for this attribute on the Internet: Net=20
neutrality. In America, as on the Internet, you=20
play fair and work hard, and you can get ahead.=20
However, fairness on the Net is being threatened=20
by telecommunications giants like AT&T and=20
Verizon. They have openly admitted that their=20
interests are best served by getting companies -=20
their server customers - to pay for special=20
privileges. They want to eliminate Net neutrality=20
and instead gain permission to charge companies=20
for preferential treatment. Essentially they want=20
to create a Net fast lane for a select group of=20
companies. I think most people would agree that=20
telecoms shouldn't have the ability to grant Net=20
privileges to the people with big money or power.=20
So let's keep the Internet as it is: neutral,=20
fair and free. And urge your local senators to=20
keep it that way as the Senate considers telecom=20
legislation this fall. The Philadelphia region,=20
and the rest of America, deserve that.
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/editorial/15495923.htm

MORE FCC NEWS

FCC IGNORES AMERICA'S BROADBAND WOES
[SOURCE: Free Press press release]
The United States continues to lag behind the=20
rest of the world in accessible and affordable=20
broadband service, with no signs of closing the=20
digital divide at home, according to a new report=20
released today by Free Press, the Consumer=20
Federation of America and Consumers Union.=20
Contradicting the rosy picture painted by the=20
Federal Communications Commission and Congress,=20
Broadband Reality Check II exposes the truth=20
behind America's digital decline: A failed=20
broadband policy that has left Americans with=20
higher prices, slower speeds and no meaningful=20
competition for high-speed Internet service.=20
Broadband Reality Check II updates last year's=20
report on the state of high-speed Internet in=20
America and details new empirical research. Among=20
its key findings: 1) U.S. broadband prices aren't=20
dropping: Cable modem prices are holding constant=20
or rising, and DSL customers on average are=20
getting less bandwidth per dollar than just a=20
year ago. 2) Despite claims of "fierce=20
competition," cable and DSL account for 98=20
percent of the residential broadband market. And=20
over 40 percent of U.S. ZIP codes have one or=20
fewer DSL or cable modem providers reporting=20
service. 3) The market share of "third platform"=20
alternatives like satellite, wireless and=20
broadband over powerline technologies has=20
actually decreased over the past five years. 4)=20
Those living in urban areas are nearly twice as=20
likely to have home broadband access as their=20
rural counterparts. 5) Approximately one out of=20
10 households with incomes below $30,000 reported=20
having high-speed Internet access, but six out of=20
every 10 households with incomes above $100,000=20
had broadband. 6) The price of broadband service,=20
and not necessarily the lack of a home computer,=20
is the key barrier to broadband adoption by low-income households.
http://www.freepress.net/press/release.php?id=3D164
* Broadband Reality Check II
http://www.freepress.net/docs/bbrc2-final.pdf

WHERE ARE TV COMPLAINTS FROM KIDS?
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The United Church of Christ (UCC) Office of=20
Communications said Tuesday it has written FCC=20
Chairman Kevin Martin to seek the status of four=20
petitions it filed over the past two years to=20
deny license renewals to four stations it alleges=20
violated kids TV ad rules. The first two=20
petitions, against WPXW (Paxson) and WDCA (Fox),=20
both Washington, were filed-in conjunction with=20
the Center for Digital Democracy (CDD), in=20
September 2004, the other two, against=20
Univision's WGHS and Raycom's WUAB Cleveland,=20
were filed in August 2005. They argue that the=20
station's FCC-friendly kid shows do not fit the=20
bill. The shows at issue are Miracle Pets, Ace=20
Lightning, Stargate: Infinity, Sabrina, and=20
Complices al Rescate. The complaint against=20
Univision's WGHS is the first for the UCC against=20
a Spanish-language station. "Children in=20
Virginia, Washington D.C., Cleveland, and=20
throughout the United States have been deprived=20
of the protection enacted by Congress in the=20
Children=92s Television Act," wrote CDD Counsel=20
Angela J. Campbell. "I urge you to consider these=20
matters as soon as possible." The group points=20
out that the FCC has resolved numerous kids TV ad=20
violations at other stations in the interim-those=20
have ranged from no actions to proposed fines.=20
=93In the absence of Commission action,=20
broadcasters will continue to air programming=20
that denies children the educational=20
opportunities Congress envisioned,=94 Campbell=20
wrote. =93Taking action to promote positive=20
programming for children would be in keeping with=20
the Commission=92s present focus on protecting our=20
children from indecent content.=94
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6371133?display=3DBreaking+News

FCC SETS ROADMAP FOR USING VACANT TV AIRWAVES
[SOURCE: Reuters]
The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday=20
set a roadmap for making airwaves between=20
television channels available for other services=20
by early 2009, when broadcasters are due to=20
switch to digital signals. The agency said it=20
expects to have from its laboratory the results=20
of tests for interference by July 2007 and would=20
set final technical requirements for devices to=20
use those airwaves without an FCC license by=20
October 2007. The FCC said in a notice it would=20
accept applications for the equipment in December=20
2007 with the goal of having them on retail store=20
shelves by February 2009, when broadcasters are=20
scheduled to turn off their analog airwaves and broadcast in digital.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=3DtechnologyNews&sto...
D=3D2006-09-12T143146Z_01_N12298936_RTRUKOC_0_US-FCC-AIRWAVES.xml&archived=
=3DFalse

ALCHIN: COMCAST WON'T BE A CELLULAR COMPETITOR
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: ]
Comcast co-chief financial officer John Alchin=20
couldn't say much about the nation=92s largest=20
cable operator=92s participation in the Federal=20
Communications Commission wireless auctions, but=20
he added that there is no intention to become a=20
cellular carrier in competition with Sprint=20
Nextel, Cingular Wireless, T-Mobile USA or AT&T=20
Wireless. Comcast is a partner in SpectrumCo, a=20
group that includes Time Warner, Cox=20
Communications and Advance/Newhouse=20
Communications. Through 118 rounds of the auction=20
-- which commenced Aug. 9 -- SpectrumCo has bid=20
$2.4 billion and has 113 provisionally wining=20
bids for markets such as Los Angeles; Chicago;=20
Washington, D.C.; and Dallas. =93Any spectrum that=20
we acquire really provides us with long-term=20
flexibility and many strategic options that=20
wouldn't be otherwise available to us,=94 Alchin=20
said at the conference. =93We have no interest in=20
being the fifth cellular operator.=94 Alchin added=20
that Comcast will likely test integrating=20
wireless functionality enabled through the=20
increased spectrum in certain markets into the=20
other platforms the cable operator has, perhaps=20
in conjunction with its Sprint Nextel joint=20
venture (which also includes the other partners in SpectrumCo).
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6371166.html?display=3DBreaking+News

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS

HOUSE GOP LEADERS FIGHT WIRETAPPING LIMITS
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Jonathan Weisman]
House leaders moved yesterday to temper many of=20
the controls that a bill headed toward rapid=20
passage would have imposed on the Bush=20
administration's program for wiretapping=20
terrorism suspects without court approval. The=20
bill, set for Judiciary Committee consideration=20
today, would have forced the administration to=20
seek a warrant for surveillance within 60 days=20
and bolstered consultations with Congress on the=20
program. But last-minute changes pushed by senior=20
Republicans may allow warrantless surveillance to=20
largely continue without those controls. Instead,=20
House Republican leaders brought their bill in=20
line with legislation agreed to by the White=20
House and the Senate, which would allow but not=20
require the administration to submit the program=20
to a secret court for a constitutional review.=20
Republican leaders, in the midst of an=20
increasingly angry attack on Democrats over=20
defense matters, made it clear that they will not=20
challenge President Bush's authority in matters=20
of national security as they challenge their=20
opponents' commitment to fighting terrorism. The=20
move put House GOP leaders at odds with some=20
Republican moderates and civil libertarians in=20
the House and the Senate, who have pledged to=20
assert Congress's authority over the wiretapping=20
program. The legislation's chief author, Rep.=20
Heather A. Wilson (R-NM), made it clear that she=20
will stand by the original bill's system of=20
checks when the Permanent Select Committee on=20
Intelligence takes it up tomorrow.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/12/AR200609...
1492.html
(requires registration)

DEMOCRATS CALL NSA'S INPUT TO SENATE PANEL INAPPROPRIATE
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Walter Pincus]
Democrats on the Senate intelligence committee=20
are complaining that the National Security Agency=20
has played politics in support of the secret=20
program to intercept phone calls between alleged=20
terrorists in the United States and abroad. On=20
July 27, shortly after most members of the=20
committee were briefed on the controversial=20
surveillance program, the NSA supplied the=20
panel's chairman, Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), with "a=20
set of administration approved, unclassified=20
talking points for the members to use," as=20
described in the document. Among the talking=20
points were "subjective statements that appear=20
intended to advance a particular policy view and=20
present certain facts in the best possible=20
light," Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV) said=20
in a letter to the NSA director. The cleared=20
statements included "I can say the program must=20
continue" and "There is strict oversight in place=20
. . . now including the full congressional=20
intelligence committees," as well as "Current law=20
is not agile enough to handle the threat posed by=20
sophisticated international terrorist=20
organizations such as al-Qaeda" and "The FISA=20
should be amended so that it is technologically=20
neutral." FISA refers to the Foreign Intelligence=20
Surveillance Act, the current law. Sen=20
Rockefeller and six Democrats on the panel wrote=20
Lt. Gen. Keith B. Alexander, the NSA's director,=20
on Aug. 29 that they believed those statements=20
"appear intended to advocate particular policies=20
rather than provide guidance on classification."=20
The letter added: "We believe that it is=20
inappropriate for the NSA to insert itself into this policy debate."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/12/AR200609...
1443.html
(requires registration)

CRITICS DISPUTE IMPACT OF CHINA'S REVISED MEDIA RULES
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Maureen Fan]
Journalism and human rights groups on Tuesday=20
blasted China's efforts to further control the=20
distribution of news and financial information by=20
foreign news agencies, saying revised regulations=20
showed that the government was tightening=20
censorship. But other experts said the impact of=20
the new rules was limited in a country that=20
already bans direct delivery of general news to=20
Chinese media. They said the new rules signaled=20
an attempt by China's state media to grab a piece=20
of the lucrative financial information market.=20
The New China News Agency, mouthpiece for the=20
Communist Party, announced revisions Sunday to=20
10-year-old regulations governing foreign news=20
agencies in China. The new rules explicitly=20
forbid foreign agencies to distribute news that=20
undermines China's national unity or sovereignty=20
or endangers China's national security,=20
reputation and interests. Under the rules,=20
agencies cannot include content banned under=20
Chinese laws, and the New China News Agency has=20
the right to decide what news and information=20
will be released in China and can delete anything it deems inappropriate.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/12/AR200609...
1403.html
(requires registration)

PROPOSED TREATY ON TV SIGNALS SPURS CRITICISM
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Jim Puzzanghera]
The proposal sounds modest enough: Broadcasters=20
want to stop international pirates from hijacking=20
American TV signals and re-transmitting them over=20
the Internet. But the high-tech industry and=20
digital rights advocates see something more=20
sinister in the fine print of a proposed=20
international treaty being negotiated this week=20
in Geneva. They fear it will end up restricting=20
how people can use legally recorded shows stashed=20
on their TiVos or computer hard drives. Pushed by=20
U.S. and European TV networks, the treaty being=20
considered by a World Intellectual Property=20
Organization committee would prohibit the theft=20
of their signals, as well as those from cable and=20
satellite broadcasters. TV broadcasters said they=20
were not targeting average viewers recording=20
their favorite shows, just large-scale thieves=20
stealing their business. "If you send our signal=20
=85 to 100,000 people so it ruins our ability to=20
market our signals, we ought to be able to=20
prohibit that," said Ben Ivins, senior associate=20
general counsel for the National Association of=20
Broadcasters, which has been pressing for the=20
treaty for several years. But in what is shaping=20
up as the next major battle in the fight over=20
digital content, a coalition of phone companies,=20
information technology firms and digital rights=20
advocates warn the proposed treaty could do much=20
more and is working to derail it.
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-nutreaty13sep13,1,797...
6.story?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business
(requires registration)

QUICKLY

TIME INC SELL-OFF OF MAGAZINE TITLES
[SOURCE: AdAge, AUTHOR: Nat Ives]
Time Inc. plans to put the Parenting Group and=20
most of its Time4 Media magazines up for sale --=20
kicking off much-anticipated but previously=20
uncertain asset dispositions by the country's=20
biggest magazine publisher. The division includes=20
titles such as Ski, Skiing, Field & Stream,=20
Popular Science, the Transworld titles, Outdoor=20
Life, Motorboating and Yachting. Time Inc. is=20
unlikely to part with Golf Magazine or the iconic=20
and handsomely multiplatform This Old House. The=20
Parenting Group includes Parenting and BabyTalk magazines.
http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=3D111808
* Time Warner Puts 18 Titles on Block, Pruning Portfolio
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB115808968375860899.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
ketplace

THE NEW YORK TIMES CO EXPLORING SALE OF STATIONS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Allison Romano]
The New York Times Co. said Tuesday it is=20
exploring a sale of its TV station group that=20
could fetch up to $500 million, according to=20
analyst estimates. The company owns nine network=20
affiliated stations in mid-sized markets ranging=20
from Memphis, Tenn. to Moline, Ill. The group=20
includes one duopoly in Oklahoma City, NBC=20
affiliate KFOR and MyNetworkTV outlet KAUT. The=20
Times Co. says a sale would allow it to focus=20
newspaper business and growing digital assets.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6371181.html?display=3DBreaki...
News
* Times Company Puts Its Nine Television Stations Up for Sale
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/13/business/media/13times.html
* New York Times to Sell Group Of Nine Television Stations
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB115809449714260987.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
ketplace

MAINSTREAM MEDIA OUTPACING EVERYONE ON WEB
[SOURCE: Editor&Publisher]
"Traditional" media companies that in 2000 won=20
just 16% of total advertising and marketing=20
spending on Internet and mobile services are on=20
pace to grab 45% of the spending by the end of=20
this year, according to the Communications=20
Industry Forecast 2006-2010 released Tuesday by=20
Veronis Suhler Stevenson (VSS). The New York=20
City-based private equity and mezzanine capital=20
fund management company that concentrates on=20
media and related information industries predicts=20
that Internet and mobile services will grow at a=20
rate of 14.7% over the next five years -- and=20
that the fastest growth will come from traditional media companies.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003120897

NYC ORDERS $500 MILLION EMERGENCY DATA NETWORK
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Claudia Parsons]
New York City will spend $500 million on a=20
wireless data network for emergency services=20
following complaints that authorities had trouble=20
communicating with each other when responding to=20
the September 11 attacks. Mayor Michael Bloomberg=20
said on Tuesday that Northrop Grumman Corp. will=20
build the high-speed network, which will let=20
police and firefighters quickly share and access=20
information like anti-terrorism databases,=20
fingerprints, mug shots, maps and video.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=3DdomesticNews&storyID=
=3D2006-09-12T213419Z_01_N12328310_RTRUKOC_0_US-DEFENSE-NORTHROP.xml&archiv=
ed=3DFalse

MOONVES STILL EYEING RETRANS CASH
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Mike Farrell]
CBS CEO Les Moonves reiterated his plans to=20
obtain cash for retransmission consent from cable=20
operators at an industry conference Tuesday,=20
estimating that it could be as large as a $100=20
million-$150 million business for the company.=20
That money won't come soon, however. Moonves=20
noted that most of CBS=92 retrans deals with=20
operators don't expire until after 2008. But he=20
insisted that CBS will get cash from operators,=20
despite operators=92 claims that they will never pay cash for broadcast net=
works.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6371165.html?display=3DBreaking+News
--------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------