September 2006

NEWS FROM CONGRESS
Stevens Vows To Move Telecom Bill After Election
Deal Is Likely on Detainees but Not on Eavesdropping
FOIA Measure a Good Step for Open Government
Online gambling bill hits snags in Congress
New Campaign Ads Have a Theme: Don't Be Nice

FCC MEETING RECAP
FCC OK's Kids TV Compromise
FCC Announces Details for Public Hearing on Media Ownership
Excluding the Deaf from the Gospel?
Launch of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau
Report To Congress: Mobile Americans Like To Talk...A Lot
FCC Adopts Pilot Program Under Rural Health Care Mechanism

MEDIA OWNERSHIP
Local news means ... more local news
'Neutrality' Is New Challenge for Internet Pioneer
Resurrecting '7th Heaven' -- on the Cheap
Christians Are Bidders Too
Is Publicly Owned Information Infrastructure A=20
Good Investment for San Francisco?
CBS Combines Syndication Companies
Scripps Sells Shop at Home Stations

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
U.S. Pushes Anti-Castro TV, but Is Anyone Watching?
In Italy, Political Fallout Over Plans for Telecom
Group That Paid Off Iraqi Papers Gets New $6.2 Million Media Contract
Goal Is Electronic Health Records. Path Is State by State.

QUICKLY -- NBC chief expects more advertising=20
within TV shows; Families pack 43 hours of=20
activity into 1 day; Qwest Beats the Odds

REACTION TO FCC DECISION ON CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION

NEWS FROM CONGRESS

STEVENS VOWS TO MOVE TELECOM BILL AFTER ELECTION
[SOURCE: Technology Daily 9/21, AUTHOR: David Hatch]
Senate Commerce Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska)=20
vowed to move his telecommunications bill during=20
a post-election congressional session. While Sen=20
Stevens acknowledged during a speech that his=20
bill "obviously can't be done before we go into=20
recess," he said he is hopeful the Senate will=20
schedule lame-duck floor action before=20
adjournment. That would ensure the legislation is=20
"part of the plans when we come back into=20
session," he said, noting that lawmakers expect=20
to return about Nov. 13. "It is possible still to=20
get it passed, and I'm working as hard as I can=20
to see that that happens," he said. The senator=20
conceded, however, that if there is a "sea=20
change" in the composition of the House and=20
Senate as a result of the mid-term election, his=20
bill is effectively dead. "I've been through a=20
couple of sea changes. Nothing happens after a=20
sea change," he said. Sen Stevens continued to=20
blame advocates of so-called network neutrality=20
restrictions for holding up his bill. "No one can=20
tell me what net neutrality is other than=20
something that a few big companies want," he said.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-TYVG1159299131945.html

DEAL IS LIKELY ON DETAINEES BUT NOT ON EAVESDROPPING
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Carl Hulse & Kate Zernike]
Congress on Tuesday was headed toward a split=20
decision on President Bush=92s pre-election=20
national security agenda, moving closer to=20
passage of legislation on the handling of=20
terrorism suspects while all but giving up hope=20
of agreeing on a final bill to authorize the=20
administration=92s eavesdropping program. Lawmakers=20
in both the House and Senate said it now appeared=20
doubtful that bills covering the National=20
Security Agency=92s eavesdropping program could=20
pass both houses and be reconciled before=20
Congress adjourns this weekend, an outcome that=20
would deny Republicans one of the main=20
achievements they hoped to take into the=20
election. Representative John A. Boehner, the=20
House majority leader, said the House would still=20
proceed with its own measure this week in hopes=20
of working out disagreements with the Senate after the election.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/27/washington/27detain.html
(requires registration)
* No Compromise On Wiretap Bill
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/26/AR200609...
1272.html
* CDT Blasts Meaningless Wiretapping "Compromise"
[SOURCE: Center for Democracy and Technology]
CDT on Monday criticized a purported "compromise"=20
on the Cheney-Specter warrantless wiretapping=20
bill that led to three Senators announcing their=20
support for the measure. The changes made to the=20
bill were meaningless. The provisions in the=20
Cheney-Specter measure that threaten to=20
dangerously erode both privacy protections and=20
national security remain very much intact, CDT=20
said in a new Policy Post. CDT maintains that it=20
would be better to do nothing than to pass a=20
measure that not only validates the=20
administration's illegal program of warrantless=20
wiretapping, but also grants broad new snooping=20
powers to future administrations. September 26, 2006
Policy Post: Wiretapping "Compromise":=20
http://www.cdt.org/publications/policyposts/2006/17
Press Release: http://www.cdt.org/press/20060925press.php

FOIA MEASURE A GOOD STEP FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT
[SOURCE: Center for Democracy and Technology]
The Senate Judiciary Committee last week approved=20
a bill that, among other things, requires=20
government agencies to respond in a timelier=20
manner to requests made under the Freedom of=20
Information Act. Introduced by Sen. John Cornyn=20
(R-TX) the Open Government Act would require=20
agencies to provide information within 20 days of=20
receiving a FOIA request or be subject to=20
penalties. It is unclear whether the bill will=20
make its way to the President in the few=20
remaining days before Congress recesses. CDT strongly supports the measure.
The Open Government Act: http://www.cdt.org/legislation/109/8#S.394
CDT Letter in Support of S. 394, February 11,=20
2005: http://www.cdt.org/righttoknow/20050211cdtsupport.pdf
CDT Testimony: FOIA, May 11, 2005:=20
http://www.cdt.org/testimony/20050511schwartzfoia.pdf

ONLINE GAMBLING BILL HITS SNAG IN CONGRESS
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Thomas Ferraro and Peter Kaplan]
Efforts to win U.S. congressional passage of a=20
bill to ban most forms of Internet gambling by=20
tacking it onto a must-pass bill hit a roadblock=20
on Tuesday, but aides said Republican backers=20
were exploring other ways to make it law. Senate=20
Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner=20
(R-VA) raised a "strong objection" to attaching=20
any unrelated legislation to a pending defense=20
bill, which has been viewed by supporters of the=20
Internet gambling bill as a prime vehicle for it.=20
A Republican aide said Senate Majority Leader=20
Bill Frist (R-TN) has not given up on passing the=20
Internet gambling bill before lawmakers recess at=20
the end of this week to campaign for the November=20
7 elections. He and other proponents are looking=20
at other possible vehicles, such as a pending=20
measure to bolster port security against=20
potential terrorist attacks, aides said.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=3DinternetNews&storyID=
=3D2006-09-26T230803Z_01_N26221105_RTRUKOC_0_US-LEISURE-CONGRESS-GAMBLING.x=
ml

NEW CAMPAIGN ADS HAVE A THEME: DON'T BE NICE
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Adam Nagourney]
Republicans and Democrats began showing at least=20
30 new campaign advertisements in contested House=20
and Senate districts across the country on=20
Tuesday. Of those, three were positive. For=20
Republicans, it was the leading edge of a wave of=20
negative advertisements against Democratic=20
candidates, the product of more than a year of=20
research into the personal and professional=20
backgrounds of Democratic challengers. For=20
Democrats, it was part of a barrage intended to=20
tie Republican incumbents to an unpopular=20
Congress, criticize their voting records, portray=20
them as captives to special interests and=20
highlight embarrassing moments from their=20
business histories. The result of the dueling=20
accusations has been what both sides described on=20
Tuesday as the most toxic midterm campaign=20
environment in memory. It is a jarring blend of=20
shadowy images, breathless announcers, jagged=20
music and a dizzying array of statistics,=20
counterstatistics and vote citations =97 all=20
intended to present the members of Congress and=20
their challengers in the worst possible light.=20
Democratic and Republican strategists said they=20
expected over 90 percent of the advertisements to=20
be broadcast by Nov. 7 to be negative.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/27/us/politics/27ads.html?hp&ex=3D1159416...
&en=3D541a271f4c216c55&ei=3D5094&partner=3Dhomepage
(requires registration)

FCC MEETING RECAP

FCC OKs KIDS TV COMPROMISE
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The FCC Tuesday voted unanimously to approve=20
compromise kids TV programming rules that set=20
three-hour minimums of educational kids=20
programmer per free multicast digital channel and=20
sets new limits on commercials and links to=20
Internet sites. Calling the process as important=20
as the result, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said it=20
was "critical" to recognize both media companies=20
and advocates for producing a "template" for=20
compromise, echoing the praise of the other=20
commissioners. Commissioner Michael Copps said=20
"There is no doubt that this item will advance=20
the quality and quantity of children's=20
programming," but he took the opportunity to say=20
that it was time to establish public interest=20
obligations for digital programming for adults as=20
well. That sentiment was seconded by former FCC=20
Commissioner Gloria Tristani. Currently with the=20
Benton Foundation, she was a key player in the=20
compromise in her former post atop the United=20
Church of Christ's Office of Communication. =93This=20
process should be a model for the FCC, the media=20
industry and advocates to come together to define=20
what 'in the public interest' means for adults in=20
the digital age as well," Tristani said following the vote.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6375143.html?display=3DBreaki...
News
* FCC press release
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267609A1.doc
** There's a good deal of reaction to this=20
decision; we've summarized it at the end of this e-mail. **

FCC ANNOUNCES DETAILS FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON MEDIA OWNERSHIP
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission will hold a=20
two-part field hearing regarding media ownership=20
on Tuesday October 3. The first part will be held=20
at the University of Southern California from=20
1:00pm-4:30pm and will include panels concerning=20
the creative community and independent=20
programming. The second part will be held at El=20
Segundo High School from 6:30pm-10:00pm and will=20
look more closely at the LA media market. The=20
purpose of the hearing is to fully involve the=20
public in the process of the 2006 Quadrennial=20
Broadcast Media Ownership Review that the=20
Commission is currently conducting. The hearing=20
is open to the public, and seating will be=20
available on a first-come, first-served=20
basis. This hearing is the first in a series of=20
media ownership hearings the Commission intends=20
to hold across the country. A final roster of=20
panelists will be released prior to the=20
hearing. The hearing format will enable members=20
of the public to participate via "open=20
microphone." A live audio cast of the hearing=20
will be available at the FCC's website at=20
www.fcc.gov on a first-come, first-served=20
basis. The public may also file comments or=20
other documents with the Commission and should=20
reference docket number 06-121. Filing=20
instructions are provided at http://www.fcc.gov/ownership/comments.html
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267624A1.doc

EXCLUDING THE DEAF FROM THE GOSPEL?
[SOURCE: DeafDCBlog, AUTHOR: Shane Feldman]
[Commentary] The FCC's meeting Tuesday included=20
protests over a Commission decision to exemption=20
of over 300 television programs simply because=20
they are produced by nonprofit organizations and=20
captioning the programs could cause =93significant=20
difficulties for these entities.=94 Most of these=20
exemptions were given to religious organizations,=20
most of which likely belong to a Christian=20
denomination. Don't Christians want to spread the=20
gospel to everyone in the world? If that is the=20
case, why would Christian organizations purposely=20
exclude deaf and hard of hearing people from the=20
gospel? Christian organizations that requested=20
and have been granted exemptions may be=20
abandoning the words of Jesus by excluding deaf=20
people from their programming. According to=20
Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus calls on his followers=20
to: =93=85go and make disciples of all nations,=20
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of=20
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them=20
to obey everything I have commanded you.=94 =93All=94=20
includes deaf people does it not?
http://www.deafdc.com/blog/shane-feldman/2006-09-26/excluding-the-deaf-f...
-the-gospel/

FCC ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The FCC announced the launch of the Public Safety=20
and Homeland Security Bureau. The events of=20
September 11, 2001 and last year's hurricane=20
season underscored America's dependence on an=20
effective national telecommunications=20
infrastructure. The new bureau will build on the=20
Commission's longstanding commitment to meet the=20
needs of public safety by promoting robust,=20
reliable and resilient communications services in=20
times of emergency. The Public Safety and=20
Homeland Security Bureau is designed to address=20
matters related to public safety, homeland=20
security, and emergency management and=20
preparedness. The bureau is responsible for the=20
combined public safety-related functions that=20
were previously dispersed among the other bureaus=20
and offices. The Public Safety and Homeland=20
Security Bureau is organized into three=20
divisions: 1) Policy Division, 2) Public=20
Communications Outreach & Operations Division -=20
responsible for coordinating the Commission's=20
emergency response procedures and operations. 3)=20
Communications Systems Analysis Division -=20
administers the Commission's information=20
collection requirements and performs analyses and=20
studies concerning public safety, homeland=20
security, emergency management and preparedness,=20
disaster management and national security.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267599A1.doc

REPORT TO CONGRESS: MOBILE AMERICANS LIKE TO TALK... A LOT
[SOURCE: TelecomWeb]
The Federal Communications Commission will send=20
Congress a report on "effective competition" in=20
the mobile-telephony business with the probably=20
well-known but interesting observation that=20
American users apparently talk much more on their=20
cellphones than do folks in other parts of the=20
wireless world. The U.S. mobile base on average=20
last year accounted for about 740 monthly minutes=20
of use (MoU), according to the draft of the 11th=20
annual report on commercial mobile radio services=20
(CMRS) market conditions unanimously adopted by=20
the FCC at its open meeting. The U.S. monthly MoU=20
estimate compares with average MoU rates of 143=20
in Western Europe, 147 in Japan and 322 in South=20
Korea, according to report. Further buttressing=20
the growth of substituting wireless handsets for=20
landline phones, the report -- often using=20
industry-provided data -- says the 740-minute=20
monthly figure reflects Americans on average=20
adding about 120 minutes of time on a monthly=20
basis from December 2004 to December 2005.=20
Although Commissioner Michael Copps tends to=20
question a somewhat elusive definition of=20
"effective competition," the Wireless=20
Telecommunications Bureau-compiled report says=20
competitive conditions have improved during the=20
past year by all its measures. This includes=20
pricing value, technology improvements, product=20
innovations, subscriber growth, usage patterns,=20
churn, number of operators, service deployments=20
and investment. According to the bureau, last=20
year the mobile business added 28.3 million=20
subscribers to its base to reach an estimated=20
213.3 million total (representing some 71 percent=20
of the U.S. population) from about 185 million at=20
the end of 2004. During that period, the report=20
says average per-minute prices fell from 9 cents=20
to 7 cents. In addition, the bureau report will=20
tell federal lawmakers that 99 percent of the=20
U.S. population live in counties with "some form=20
of next-generation network deployment," while 98=20
percent have access to three or more wireless=20
providers and 94 percent have the choice of four=20
or more rival operators (a drop from five prior=20
to last year's Sprint Nextel merger).
http://www.telecomweb.com/tnd/19451.html
* FCC Press Release
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267610A1.doc
* Commissioner Copps remarks
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267610A3.doc

FCC ADOPTS PILOT PROGRAM UNDER RURAL HEALTH CARE MECHANISM
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission adopted an=20
Order that establishes a pilot program to help=20
public and non-profit health care providers build=20
state and region-wide broadband networks=20
dedicated to the provision of health care=20
services, and connect those networks to=20
Internet2, a dedicated nationwide backbone. The=20
construction of such networks will bring the=20
benefits of innovative telehealth, and=20
particularly, telemedicine services to those=20
areas of the country where the need for those=20
benefits is most acute. The pilot program is=20
designed to encourage health care providers to=20
join together to aggregate their needs and=20
develop a strategy for creating statewide and/or=20
regional networks that will connect numerous=20
health care providers, including rural health=20
care providers, through a dedicated, broadband=20
network. The pilot program will fund up to 85%=20
of the costs incurred to deploy state or regional=20
broadband networks dedicated to health care. The=20
pilot program will also fund up to 85% of the=20
costs of connecting the regional and/or statewide=20
to Internet2, a dedicated nationwide backbone=20
that connects a number of government research=20
institutions, as well as academic, public, and=20
private health care institutions that are=20
repositories of medical expertise and=20
information. Interested parties should submit=20
their applications to the Commission 30 days=20
after Office of Management and Budget approval of=20
the information collection requirements in the Order.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267605A1.doc

MEDIA OWNERSHIP

LOCAL NEWS MEANS... MORE LOCAL NEWS
[SOURCE: Seattle Times, AUTHOR: Editorial Staff]
[Commentary] Media ownership is too serious a=20
question to be the subject of political games at=20
the Federal Communications Commission. But under=20
former Chairman Michael Powell, the FCC started a=20
study of media concentration, saw results=20
critical to industry trends and quietly shelved=20
the study. Local owners care about local news.=20
Many people could have told the FCC that, and=20
some did, but under Powell the majority on the=20
FCC didn't want to hear it. It was in the midst=20
of a plan to lift restrictions on media mergers,=20
allowing them to be ever more elephantine, and it=20
didn't want any study to trip it up. The current=20
FCC chairman, Kevin Martin, has been more=20
cautious than Powell, and he needs to be more=20
cautious still. There is no need to liberalize=20
media ownership limits, and much reason to keep them just as they are.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2003277060_xowne...
.html

'NEUTRALITY' IS NEW CHALLENGE FOR INTERNET PIONEER
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: John Markoff]
A Q&A with Sir Tim Berners-Lee who is credited=20
with helping to create the Internet. He is a=20
vocal proponent of Network Neutrality, a hotly=20
debated issue as Congress moves to update the=20
nation's telecommunications laws. One quote: "Net=20
neutrality is one of those principles, social=20
principles, certainly now much more than a=20
technical principle, which is very fundamental.=20
When you break it, then it really depends how far=20
you let things go. But certainly I think that the=20
neutrality of the Net is a medium essential for=20
democracy, yes =97 if there is democracy and the=20
way people inform themselves is to go onto the Web."
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/27/technology/circuits/27neut.html
(requires registration)

RESURRECTING '7TH HEAVEN' -- ON THE CHEAP
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Brooks Barnes brooks.barnes( at )wsj.com]
The story of how "7th Heaven" was killed and=20
buried and then exhumed and resuscitated=20
underscores the new agility TV producers must=20
have in the rapidly changing TV business. In the=20
days of vertically integrated media companies,=20
distribution via the Internet, DVDs and instant=20
feedback from fans, shows must be much more=20
nimble than in the past. Decades ago, new shows=20
were given a season or two to find an audience.=20
Nowadays, shows are lucky to get a few episodes=20
to prove themselves, but new technology can just=20
as easily change network minds. A big network=20
show can be canceled and then brought back to=20
life after selling well on DVD. (The animated=20
series "Family Guy" is an example.) If writers=20
launch a new story line fans don't like, they=20
must quickly retrench or suffer the wrath of=20
bloggers who can hurt ratings with negative buzz=20
("Desperate Housewives"). And shows must be able=20
to expand or contract from a half hour to an hour=20
and back with a week's notice to cover holes on=20
the schedule ("American Idol"). The return of=20
"7th Heaven" -- the series premiered to soft=20
ratings on Monday, attracting about four million=20
viewers -- also is an example of how networks can=20
rein in escalating production costs. To make "7th=20
Heaven" more affordable, the studio producing it,=20
CBS Paramount Television, cut salaries for=20
actors, producers and writers. Executives ordered=20
that each episode be taped and edited in six days=20
instead of seven, as in the past. Expensive=20
outdoor filming at night? Forget about it. CW now=20
has to pay only between $1.4 million and $1.8=20
million an episode to license the show, down from=20
nearly $3 million an episode three years ago,=20
according to two people close to the show. That=20
price is about 70% below what the average hourlong show costs per episode.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB115931596049875005.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
ketplace
(requires subscription)

CHRISTIANS ARE BIDDERS TOO
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Editorial Staff]
[Commentary] When the owner of KOCE-TV, Orange=20
County's (CA) public television station, decided=20
to sell, the highest bidder was a Dallas-based=20
Christian broadcaster. But the station's leaders=20
wanted it to remain a PBS affiliate. Rejecting=20
the Dallas bid, in 2004 the owner illegally=20
accepted a lower offer from a well-connected=20
local group. Now Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has=20
on his desk a bill that would allow this deal to stand. He should reject it.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-ed-orange27sep27,1,5...
004.story?coll=3Dla-news-comment
(requires registration)

IS PUBLICLY OWNED INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE A=20
WISE PUBLIC INVESTMENT FOR SAN FRANCISCO?
[SOURCE: Institute for Local Self-Reliance &=20
Media Alliance, AUTHOR: Becca Vargo Daggett]
San Francisco has launched an initiative to=20
provide wireless access everywhere in the city.=20
Media Alliance invited the Institute for Local Self-Reliance to
investigate the economics of a publicly owned=20
information infrastructure. Based on conservative=20
assumptions, a publicly owned wireless network=20
can repay its original investment within five=20
years and generate an average net income of over=20
$2 million per year for ten years.
http://www.newrules.org/info/sf-financial.pdf

CBS COMBINES SYNDICATION COMPANIES
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Ben Grossman]
The CBS Corporation has formed the CBS Television=20
Distribution Group (CTDG), a new entity that will=20
combine CBS Paramount Domestic Television, King=20
World and CBS Paramount International Television.=20
Former King World CEO Roger King will take over=20
as CEO of the new organization. Robert Madden and=20
John Nogawski become presidents and COOs, while=20
Armando Nunez Jr. continues as president of CBS=20
Paramount International Television. All three=20
report to King in the new structure.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6375383.html

SCRIPPS SELLS SHOP AT HOME STATIONS
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Linda Moss]
E.W. Scripps is selling its five Shop at=20
Home-affiliated TV stations to Multicultural=20
Television Broadcasting for $170 million,=20
officials said Tuesday. Multicultural, based in=20
New York, is acquiring WMFP-TV in Boston; WOAC-TV=20
in Cleveland; WRAY-TV in Raleigh-Durham, N.C.;=20
WSAH-TV in Bridgeport, Conn.; and KCNS-TV in San=20
Francisco. Scripps is selling the stations in the=20
aftermath of its divestiture of the Shop at Home=20
network earlier this year. Scripps sold the cable=20
network, its assets and its Nashville, Tenn.,=20
studio to Jewelry Television for $17 million in June.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6375105.html?display=3DBreaking+News

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS

US PUSHES ANTI-CASTRO TV, BUT IS ANYONE WATCHING?
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Abby Goodnough]
Soon after Fidel Castro announced his mysterious=20
illness in July, the Bush administration stepped=20
up its anti-Castro television broadcasts to Cuba=20
with a new $10 million system. For the last two=20
months, a twin-engine plane has beamed the signal=20
of the American broadcast, called TV Mart=ED,=20
toward the island from over the Straits of=20
Florida for four hours a day, six days a week, up=20
from four hours of transmission from an Air Force=20
plane on Saturdays. Because the plane flies at=20
20,000 feet, administration officials say, the=20
Cuban government cannot jam the signal as easily=20
as in the past, when a blimp tethered 10,000 feet=20
over the Florida Keys did the transmitting. But=20
in interviews in the past two weeks, many Cubans=20
said they still saw just snowy interference where=20
the TV Mart=ED broadcasts should be. About a dozen=20
people in Havana said they still had never=20
glimpsed the station even after the expanded=20
airborne broadcasts began, raising questions=20
about the usefulness of the $10 million=20
expenditure. Some said they would not watch the=20
station even if they could, because they assumed that it would be biased.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/27/us/27marti.html?hp&ex=3D1159416000&en=...
00dce12fcef44a9&ei=3D5094&partner=3Dhomepage
(requires registration)

IN ITALY, POLITICAL FALLOUT OVER PLANS FOR TELECOM
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Eric Sylvers]
It started with the announcement of a clear-cut=20
plan to split up Italy=92s largest phone company,=20
Telecom Italia, into separate mobile and=20
fixed-line units. But that seemingly simple plan=20
has led to a verbal slugfest between the prime=20
minister, Romano Prodi, and the company=92s=20
chairman, Marco Tronchetti Provera, who is also=20
the country=92s best-known executive. Now, Mr.=20
Prodi=92s government, which has a razor-thin=20
majority in Parliament, seems to be wavering for=20
the first time since he took office in May. On=20
Thursday, he faces public scrutiny by opposition=20
members of Parliament when he appears before the=20
lower house to answer to criticism that he might=20
be interfering in Mr. Tronchetti Provera=92s=20
corporate sphere. Then, on Oct. 5, Mr. Prodi will=20
again face opposition Parliament members at a=20
hearing in the Senate. Some members of Parliament=20
are concerned that Mr. Prodi appears to be=20
meddling in the affairs of a private company,=20
despite European Union guidelines against such interference.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/27/technology/27tele.html
(requires registration)

GROUP THAT PAID OFF IRAQI PAPERS GETS NEW $6.2 MILLION MEDIA CONTRACT
[SOURCE: Associated Press]
A public relations company known for its role in=20
a controversial U.S. military program that paid=20
Iraqi newspapers for stories favorable to=20
coalition forces has been awarded another=20
multimillion dollar media contract with American=20
forces in Iraq. Washington-based Lincoln Group=20
won a two-year contract to monitor a number of=20
English and Arabic media outlets and produce=20
public relations-type products such as talking=20
points or speeches for U.S. forces in Iraq,=20
officials said Tuesday. The contract is worth=20
roughly $6.2 million per year over a two-year period.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003157690

GOAL IS ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS. PATH IS STATE BY STATE.
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Reed Abelson]
In the nation=92s ambitious quest to bring=20
information technology to the practice of=20
medicine, state governments are beginning to play=20
a critical role in shepherding new systems into=20
hospitals and doctors=92 offices, health experts=20
say. Governors and legislators, for starters, are=20
embarking on a variety of strategies to encourage=20
the use of electronic health records and other=20
innovations. The primary effort has been to=20
encourage the use of electronic health records,=20
so that doctors statewide can have access to=20
patient records. State officials have begun=20
convening task forces of hospitals, doctors,=20
insurers and other groups to develop plans for=20
such regional systems. Many states were prompted=20
to action by the federal government=92s call to=20
arms in 2004 to develop electronic patient=20
records throughout the United States. Like the=20
states, the government is trying to coordinate=20
the various efforts under way. Federal officials=20
are also developing national standards for the technology.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/27/technology/circuits/27health.html
(requires registration)

QUICKLY

NBC CHIEF EXPECTS MORE ADVERTISING WITHIN TV SHOWS
[SOURCE: Reuters 9/25]
NBC Universal Chief Executive Bob Wright on=20
Monday predicted more advertising will occur=20
within television shows in the coming years --=20
through sponsorship or product placement -- as=20
ad-skipping devices become more popular. "The=20
skipping issue is going to have a lot of=20
different dimensions," said Wright, speaking at=20
an Advertising Week event in New York. One=20
outcome, he said, would be that "advertisements=20
will move more into the program." Wright said=20
another outcome is the increasing importance of=20
event programming, such as this year's winter=20
Olympics, which ran on NBC. "I couldn't be=20
happier with what he have," Wright said,=20
referring to NBC's Olympics coverage. "This is=20
one of those scarcity issues. In a world with=20
more options, premium properties really stand=20
out." Wright also pointed to NBC's Sunday Night=20
Football, which premiered this year. "Having=20
football as a cornerstone on Sunday night takes=20
pressure off our scheduling," he said.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=3DtelevisionNews&sto...
D=3D2006-09-25T233506Z_01_N25308229_RTRIDST_0_TELEVISION-MEDIA-NBC-DC.XML

FAMILIES PACK 43 HOURS OF ACTIVITY INTO 1 DAY: STUDY
[SOURCE: Reuters]
While many a parent will lament there are not=20
enough hours in the day, the simultaneous use of=20
several technologies is allowing families to cram=20
in 43 hours worth of activity from one sunrise to=20
the next, a new study claims. The survey by Yahoo=20
Inc. and media buyer OMD untangled the=20
overlapping use of the Internet, telephones, text=20
messaging, radio and television during work and=20
recreation hours for more than 4,700 adults in 16=20
countries, from the United States to Argentina=20
and Taiwan. "While using the Internet, people are=20
also doing two or three other things, often=20
watching TV or talking on the phone," said Mike=20
Hess, global director of research at OMD, part of=20
Omnicom Group. On average, families said they=20
spent 3.6 hours per day using the Internet, 2.5=20
hours daily watching television and one hour on=20
instant messaging. Smaller increments of time=20
were spent playing video games, listening to the=20
radio and to digital music players, reading=20
newspapers and Internet blogs, as well as doing=20
household chores. In the United States, families=20
on average owned about 12 technology and=20
media-related devices. Across the survey 70=20
percent of respondents said technology allowed=20
them to stay in touch with family members.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=3DtechnologyNews&sto...
D=3D2006-09-26T152752Z_01_N25311198_RTRUKOC_0_US-MEDIA-YAHOO-SURVEY.xml

QWEST BEATS THE ODDS, SO FAR
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Ken Belson]
Though Qwest is no longer on life support, the=20
company competes with fewer arrows in its quiver=20
than the larger Bell companies, which are=20
spending billions of dollars to build and run=20
cellular and fiber networks. Given the expense=20
of those networks and Qwest=92s considerable debt=20
load, the company has focused instead on keeping=20
costs down, increasing profit and letting other=20
companies do some of the heavy lifting. Qwest is=20
in a position to buy another industry player --=20
perhaps a wireless carrier or a provider of=20
corporate telecommunications services. Such a=20
move would go a long way toward arming Qwest with=20
the tools it needs to fend off cable companies,=20
Internet phone providers like Vonage and=20
cellphone carriers like Cingular that are luring=20
away hundreds of thousands of its customers. It=20
would also help Qwest contend with Verizon=20
Communications and A.T.& T., which account for=20
half of all sales of communications services to companies.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/27/technology/27qwest.html
(requires registration)

REACTION TO FCC DECISION ON CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION

* FCC Chairman Martin:
"It is important that television play a positive=20
role in children's lives. Both Congress and the=20
Commission have recognized television's potential=20
to do so and taken steps to ensure that=20
television helps to educate and inform=20
children. Broadcasters must be mindful of the=20
unique needs and vulnerabilities of children."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267609A2.doc

* Commissioner Copps:
"[O]ur work on the digital transition remains=20
unfinished. We are overdue for a similarly=20
constructive dialogue on the more general public=20
interest obligations of digital television=20
broadcasters.... We have yet to provide the kind=20
of clear guidance broadcasters need and viewers=20
deserve. So it's time to address now how the=20
digital transition can enhance political=20
discourse, improve access to the media for those=20
with disabilities, and increase localism,=20
diversity and competition on the people's=20
airwaves. It's also time to commit to a=20
disclosure policy for digital television=20
broadcasters. It has, after all, been eight years=20
since a blue-ribbon Presidential advisory=20
committee first made recommendations regarding=20
broadcasters' digital public interest=20
obligations. It has been nearly seven years=20
since the Commission first opened a proceeding on=20
this issue. And it has been nearly a year since=20
the Commission's own Consumer Advisory Committee=20
called for swifter action in this area. If the=20
American people are ever going to realize the=20
full benefits of digital television, then this=20
agency has a duty to call these remaining digital=20
public interest issues forward and accord them=20
the high priority they deserve. Without such=20
action, the digital transition will fall far short of its promise."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267609A3.doc

* Commissioner Adelstein:
"In today's Order, however, two clarifications=20
unnecessarily retreat from laudable standards=20
developed in the 2004 Order. First, the 2004=20
Order firmly maintained FCC's policy against host=20
selling by restricting the display of websites=20
that utilize program-related characters during=20
the airing of the program and accompanying=20
commercials. The language of the new host=20
selling restriction and the third party=20
advertising exceptions in the instant Order,=20
however, are not models of regulatory clarity and=20
certainty. It is unclear why web pages that are=20
"primarily devoted to multiple characters from=20
multiple programs" are categorically exempted=20
from our host selling restrictions.... Another=20
concern I have with today's order is that it=20
retreats from a bright line rule that treats any=20
promotion of upcoming programs, other than=20
educational or informational programs, as commercial matter."

* Commissioner Tate:
"[W]hile I fully support this item and believe=20
that it will lead to the creation of more and=20
better quality children's programming, our=20
children cannot benefit from this much needed=20
additional programming if they cannot see it. I=20
will continue to be vigilant in calling on cable=20
and satellite operators, as well as new entrants=20
to the video programming market like Verizon and=20
AT&T, to carry more family-friendly programs. It's the right thing to do."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267609A5.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267609A4.doc

* Commissioner McDowell:
"I applaud this diverse coalition of children's=20
advocacy groups, broadcast networks, children's=20
programming networks, cable companies and=20
advertisers for their efforts to forge a private=20
sector solution to this challenge."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267609A6.doc

* Benton Salutes FCC on Kids=92 TV Agreement
This process should be a model for the FCC, the=20
media industry and advocates to come together to=20
define what =93in the public interest=94 means for=20
adults in the digital age as well.... The=20
transition to digital television offers a unique=20
opportunity to improve television broadcasters=92=20
service to the public by increasing the=20
children=92s educational programming that we see=20
today. But we also have the opportunity to=20
enhance the diversity of viewpoints at a time=20
when minority media ownership levels are abysmal,=20
promote civic participation through better=20
election coverage, and expand local and community=20
programming using the advances of multicasting.=20
Now that we have moved to make sure digital=20
television serves the educational needs of=20
children, it is time to do the same for the rest of the community.
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=3Dnode/3558

* Children Now:
"This is a great victory for children. We are so=20
pleased by the FCC=92s unanimous vote today; it=20
demonstrates the Commission=92s commitment to=20
children and their needs in a rapidly-changing=20
technological environment. By adopting rules=20
along the lines proposed by advocates and media=20
industry representatives, the FCC has taken a=20
great step towards ensuring that children will be=20
provided for and protected in the digital age.=20
These rules will provide children with more=20
educational programming and also will serve to=20
protect them from the harmful effects of=20
excessive advertising. We thank the FCC for=20
prioritizing the needs of children as we transition to digital television."
http://www.childrennow.org/newsroom/press_releases/pr_092606.html

* United Church of Christ Applauds FCC Rule Changes Regarding Kids' Digital=
TV
Cheryl A. Leanza, managing director of the UCC's=20
OC, Inc: "Children must have access to television=20
that educates, not just programming that=20
entertains, and children must be protected from=20
excessive advertising. With new technology,=20
serving and protecting children should get=20
easier, not harder. This historic agreement=20
insures the current legal protections for=20
children will not disappear when children watch=20
digital television in the future."
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=3D73233
--------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------