March 2007

FCC MEETING RECAP
FCC to study need for Network Neutrality Regulation
FCC Rules Wireless Broadband is an Information Service
FCC OKs Digital Radio
Access to Multiple Dwelling Units for Video Providers
FCC Approves Citadel/Disney Radio Transaction
FCC Evaluates 76 Noncommercial Educational FM Application Groups
State of Competition in the Satellite Industry
FCC Grants 182 E-Rate Appeal

DIGITAL CONTENT
Net porn ban faces another legal setback
A Brave New World of Political Skulduggery?
Viacom sued over Colbert parody on YouTube
Music publishers accuse XM of copyright infringement
Tangled Web
Hollywood's big online rival: the little guy

NEWS FROM CONGRESS
NTIA Testimony before House Commerce Committee
A Push to Create a Fresh Class of Public Servants

MORE FCC-RELATED NEWS
Jet passengers may not get to chat on cellphones after all=09
Powell Joins Cisco Board

QUICKLY -- Single Sponsor to Allow ABC News to=20
Air Ad-Free; An Immigrant Segment by Radio=92s=20
=91Jersey Guys=92 Draws Fire; Parents, teachers, kids=20
speak up on ed tech; Time Warner cable unit could face fine

FCC MEETING RECAP

FCC LAUNCHES INQUIRY INTO BROADBAND MARKET PRACTICES
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The FCC began an inquiry to better understand the=20
behavior of participants in the market for=20
broadband services. The Notice of Inquiry seeks=20
information on the behavior of broadband market=20
participants, including: How broadband providers=20
are managing Internet traffic on their networks=20
today; Whether providers charge different prices=20
for different speeds or capacities of service;=20
Whether our policies should distinguish between=20
content providers that charge end users for=20
access to content and those that do not; and How=20
consumers are affected by these practices. The=20
Notice of Inquiry further seeks comment on=20
whether the Commission's 2005 Internet Policy=20
Statement should incorporate a new principle of=20
nondiscrimination and, if so, how would=20
"nondiscrimination" be defined, and how would such a principle read.
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=3Dnode/5254
* Public Knowledge Disappointed with FCC Broadband Notice of Inquiry
Gigi Sohn: "While we welcome the FCC=92s interest=20
in maintaining an open Internet, we are=20
disappointed that the Commission chose to issue a=20
simple Notice of Inquiry. This bureaucratic=20
process will delay by months if not years the=20
crucial action needed to guarantee that consumers=20
will always have access to an open and=20
non-discriminatory Internet =97 assuming that it=20
issues a proposed rule after evaluating the=20
information it receives from the inquiry."
http://www.publicknowledge.org/node/881

FCC CLASSIFIES WIRELESS BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS=20
SERVICE AS AN INFORMATION SERVICE
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The FCC declared that wireless broadband Internet=20
access service is an information service under=20
the Communications Act (Act). This action places=20
wireless broadband Internet access service on the=20
same regulatory footing as other broadband=20
services, such as cable modem service, wireline=20
broadband (DSL) Internet access service, and=20
Broadband over Power Line (BPL)-enabled Internet=20
access service. It thus ensures, the FCC said,=20
that wireless broadband Internet access services=20
are similarly free from unnecessary regulatory burdens.
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=3Dnode/5253
* Statement in response to Wireless Broadband Declaratory Ruling:
Harold Feld: =93If the Commission genuinely wants=20
to =91standardize treatment of broadband services=20
across platforms,=92 it must require wireless=20
services to allow subscribers to attach any=20
device to its network. Media Access Project fully=20
supports Commissioner Copp=92s call for a Notice of=20
Proposed Rulemaking to apply the Cartefone=20
principles and the Commission=92s network attachment rules to wireless netw=
orks.=94
http://www.mediaaccess.org/press/MAP%20Statement%20on%20Wireless%20Rulin...
df

FCC ADOPTS RULES FOR DIGITAL AUDIO BROADCASTING
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The FCC adopted a 2nd report and Order on Digital=20
Audio Radio (digital radio to you and me). In the=20
Order, the Commission: Refrains from imposing a=20
mandatory conversion schedule for radio stations=20
to commence digital broadcast operations; Allows=20
FM radio stations to operate in the extended=20
hybrid digital mode; Requires that each local=20
radio station broadcasting in digital mode to=20
simulcast a digital signal of at least comparable=20
audio quality to its analog signal; Adopts a=20
flexible bandwidth policy permitting a radio=20
station to transmit high quality audio, multiple=20
program streams, and data casting services at its=20
discretion; Allows radio stations to time broker=20
unused digital bandwidth to third parties,=20
subject to certain regulatory requirements;=20
Applies existing programming and operational=20
statutory and regulatory requirements to all free=20
DAB programming streams; Authorizes AM nighttime=20
operations; Dismisses several pending Petitions=20
for Reconsideration and Petitions for Rulemaking=20
that asked, inter alia, the Commission to=20
reconsider the adoption of iBiquity's in-band,=20
on-channel (IBOC) system as the technology chosen=20
for DAB transmission; Seeks further comment on=20
appropriate limits to the amount of subscription=20
services that may be offered by radio stations;=20
and Seeks comment on whether the Commission=20
should adopt any new public interest requirements=20
for digital audio broadcasters.
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=3Dnode/5252
* MAP Disappointed With FCC Digital Radio Order
Parul Desai: "The transition to digital radio,=20
which will provide additional streams for=20
programming and other services, presents an=20
opportunity and platform for new and diverse=20
voices and greater service to the public. It is=20
unfortunate that the Commission majority refused=20
to include even a word of official encouragement=20
to broadcasters to voluntarily address the lack=20
of independent programming, especially that=20
created by women and people of color. As=20
Commissioners Copps and Adelstein warned, the=20
Commission=92s work remains unfinished. Today's=20
item leaves to a later date specific public=20
interest obligations. Hopefully, the recognition=20
of the current state of radio will guide the=20
Commission as it resolves the proposed NPRM.=20
While not a complete solution to the lack of=20
diverse voices and perspectives, the Commission=20
must seize on this opportunity to increase the=20
participation of minorities and females in radio=20
broadcasting. The Commission must seize upon this=20
opportunity to ensure that the public receives=20
truly beneficial services and programming, as the=20
public airwaves were intended to be used. Only=20
then will digital radio live up to its full potential."
http://www.mediaaccess.org/press/MAP%20Statement%20on%20DAB%20Order.pdf

FCC INITIATES RULEMAKING TO EVALUATE ACCESS TO=20
MULTIPLE DWELLING UNITS FOR VIDEO PROVIDERS
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking=20
that seeks comment on issues relating to the use=20
of exclusive contracts for the provision of video=20
services to multiple dwelling units ("MDUs") or=20
other real estate developments. With this=20
proceeding, the Commission is taking another step=20
to foster greater competition in the market for=20
the delivery of multichannel video programming.
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=3Dnode/5251
* MAP Statement in response to FCC inside wiring NPRM
Harold Feld: "This action has the potential to=20
bring the benefits of competition to millions of=20
apartment renters, many of whom live in=20
low-income neighborhoods. Hopefully, access to=20
competing providers will lower costs and improve=20
customer service for these communities. Landlords=20
and incumbent monopolists have no right to=20
collude to deny citizens the freedom to choose=20
what they see, how they access the Internet, and=20
how they talk to one another. But as Commissioner=20
McDowell made clear, the Commission must ensure=20
that the freedom to choose extends to _all_=20
communications services =AD video, voice and data.=20
If the final rule permits exclusive contracts in=20
voice or data, the Commission will have failed in=20
its responsibility to protect all Americans from incumbent monopolists.=94
http://www.mediaaccess.org/press/MAP%20Statement%20on%20MDU%20Order.pdf

FCC APPROVES CITADEL/DISNEY RADIO TRANSACTION
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The FCC Thursday approved the sale of 24 Disney=20
(ABC) radio stations to Citadel. As part of the=20
deal, Citadel has agreed to shed 11 of its=20
current stations so that it does not exceed FCC local-ownership caps.
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=3Dnode/5250

FCC EVALUATES 76 NONCOMMERCIAL EDUCATIONAL FM APPLICATION GROUPS
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The FCC adopted a Memorandum Opinion and Order=20
that will bring new or improved noncommercial=20
educational ("NCE") FM broadcast service to 76=20
communities, with millions of people expected to benefit from this decision.
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=3Dnode/5249

FCC ADOPTS ANNUAL REPORT ON STATE OF COMPETITION IN THE SATELLITE INDUSTRY
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The FCC adopted its First Annual Report to=20
Congress on the state of competition in the=20
communications satellite services industry. This=20
inaugural report examines six wholesale and two=20
retail satellite services markets for the period=20
of 2000 through 2006. The FCC finds effective=20
competition in the satellite markets addressed,=20
based on a range of standard economic indicators=20
commonly used to assess market concentration, conduct and performance.
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=3Dnode/5248

FCC GRANTS 182 E-RATE APPEALS
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission granted 182=20
appeals filed by schools and libraries of=20
decisions by the Universal Service Administrative=20
Company (USAC) that reduced or denied funding to=20
the institutions under the E-rate program.
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=3Dnode/5247

DIGITAL CONTENT

NET PORN BAN FACES ANOTHER LEGAL SETBACK
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Declan McCullagh]
Congress' efforts to muzzle pornography on the=20
Web were dealt another serious setback on=20
Thursday, when a federal judge ruled a 1998 law=20
was unconstitutional and violated Americans'=20
First Amendment rights. U.S. District Judge=20
Lowell Reed in Philadelphia permanently barred=20
prosecutors from enforcing the Child Online=20
Protection Act, or COPA, saying it was overly=20
broad and would undoubtedly "chill a substantial=20
amount of constitutionally protected speech for=20
adults." The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union.
http://news.com.com/Judge+rules+COPA+unconstitutional/2100-1030_3-616962...
tml?tag=3Dhtml.alert
* Court Rejects Law Limiting Online Pornography
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/23/us/23porn.html
* Judge Rejects Law Aimed at Internet Porn
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/22/AR200703...
0616.html
* CDT Hails Landmark Internet Censorship Ruling
http://www.cdt.org/

A BRAVE NEW WORLD OR POLITICAL SKULDUGGERY?
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Howard Kurtz and Jose Antonio Vargas]
The instant popularity of an attack video that=20
mocked Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.)=20
prompted plenty of talk this week about how an=20
ordinary citizen can influence political=20
discourse by tapping into the power of the=20
YouTube culture. But the unmasking of the=20
filmmaker as an employee of a company on the=20
payroll of Clinton's Democratic presidential=20
rival, Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.), raises questions=20
about whether the more old-fashioned art of=20
political chicanery was at play. Phil de Vellis,=20
who worked for the firm that designed Obama's Web=20
site, Blue State Digital, says no one at the=20
company or in Obama's camp knew he had made the=20
video depicting Clinton as the droning voice of a=20
totalitarian establishment. Obama and his aides=20
say they had no idea who was behind the 74-second=20
ad, which has been viewed online more than 2=20
million times, and which closes by flashing=20
Obama's Web address. The uncovering of de Vellis,=20
who used the screen name "ParkRidge47," a=20
reference to Clinton's 1947 birth in Park Ridge,=20
Ill., was a digital-age detective story. Liberal=20
blogger Arianna Huffington said she had 30=20
staffers contributing to a message board of tips=20
and technical sleuthing that eventually led to a=20
source who confirmed de Vellis's involvement. She=20
then called de Vellis and persuaded him to confess on the Huffington Post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/22/AR200703...
1995.html
(requires registration)
* Ad creator claimed role in Obama campaign
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-hillary23mar23,1...
87155.story?coll=3Dla-news-a_section
* Hillary's Big Bother
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/c/a/2007/03/22/MNGDROP...
1.DTL

VIACOM SUED OVER COLBERT PARODY ON YOUTUBE
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Elinor Mills]
Viacom is misusing U.S. copyright law by forcing=20
YouTube to remove a parody video of The Colbert=20
Report, according to a lawsuit filed against the=20
media conglomerate Thursday. However, Viacom=20
denies the accusation and said it does not object=20
to the video being on YouTube. The suit, filed by=20
the Electronic Frontier Foundation in federal=20
court in San Francisco, accuses Viacom of filing=20
a baseless copyright complaint and takedown=20
notice on YouTube, and infringing on the=20
free-speech rights of the makers of the=20
video--activist group MoveOn.org Civic Action and=20
Brave New Films. The tongue-in-cheek clip, "Stop=20
the Falsiness," uses snippets from The Colbert=20
Report, a program on Viacom's Comedy Central, for=20
parody. That approach, the EFF said, is=20
permissible under the "fair use" provisions of=20
the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, just as The=20
Colbert Report uses excerpts from real news shows in its segments.
http://news.com.com/Viacom+sued+over+Colbert+parody+on+YouTube/2100-1030...
6169765.html?tag=3Dhtml.alert
* Stop the Falsiness
http://falsiness.org/

MUSIC PUBLISHERS ACCUSE XM OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
[SOURCE: C|Net News.com, AUTHOR: Anne Broache]
An association of music publishers late on=20
Thursday filed a lawsuit that accuses XM=20
Satellite Radio of refusing to stop "widespread=20
infringement" of popular copyrighted songs. In a=20
complaint filed in New York federal court, the=20
National Music Publishers Association (NMPA)=20
argues that the satellite radio operator's "XM +=20
MP3" music service skirts copyright laws by=20
allowing radio listeners to make permanent copies=20
of on-air tracks through devices like the Pioneer=20
Inno player without permission and without=20
properly compensating songwriters. The service=20
"constitutes pervasive and willful copyright=20
infringement to the overwhelming detriment of=20
copyright holders, legitimate online music=20
services and, ultimately, consumers," lead=20
attorney Debra Wong Yang said in a statement.
http://news.com.com/Music+publishers+accuse+XM+of+copyright+infringement...
00-1047_3-6169844.html?tag=3Dhtml.alert
* Music Publishers Sue XM Radio Over Songs Stored on Receivers
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117459929926145965.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
ketplace
(requires subscription)
* Music Publishers Accuse XM Radio of Copyright Infringement
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/22/AR200703...
1943.html

TANGLED WEB
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Steven=20
Cook & Michael Levi, Council on Foreign Relations]
The Internet has been hailed as a technology that=20
empowers average citizens to make their voices=20
heard. Its dispersed nature, most assume, makes=20
it difficult to control. Yet countries generally=20
route Internet traffic through a small number of=20
checkpoints, allowing governments to efficiently=20
monitor and control what happens on the Web. Many=20
have placed responsibility for promoting Internet=20
freedom squarely on the companies that provide=20
Internet services. When corporate leverage is=20
limited, governments must step in. U.S. efforts=20
have, so far, been anemic. The Global Internet=20
Freedom Task Force, the highest profile effort=20
launched so far, has been little more than a talk=20
shop. Congress has attempted to step in, but its=20
foreign-policy tools are blunt, and leave too=20
little room for creative diplomacy. Real action=20
has to come from the top. Washington should not=20
go so far as to bar U.S. companies from operating=20
in states like Turkey, but it should make clear=20
that its diplomats will not actively facilitate=20
IT investment from U.S. firms in countries that=20
are repressing bloggers and restricting freedom=20
of speech on the Web. Making investment in=20
information technology dependent on good Web=20
citizenship has the potential to encourage=20
meaningful change in emerging economies. The U.S.=20
should also exert global leadership. A first step=20
would be to sponsor a United Nations Declaration=20
of Internet and Electronic Freedom. To be sure,=20
the U.N.'s enforcement mechanisms are hopelessly=20
weak, but the declaration can serve as a standard=20
against which countries can be judged. Using=20
universal standards set forth in the new U.N.=20
Declaration, the State Department should include=20
a status report on Internet freedom in its annual=20
report on human rights around the world. The=20
transformative nature of the Internet is=20
well-documented, but it is not impervious to=20
authoritarian leaders intent on limiting debate.=20
Global Internet companies like Google, Yahoo! and=20
others should not be left alone at the messy=20
junction of ethics, business, corporate=20
citizenship, and technology. Washington must lead=20
the way both in establishing global standards for=20
Internet freedom and implementing a policy to=20
encourage compliance with those principles.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117461374329246343.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
nion
(requires subscription)

HOLLYWOOD'S BIG ONLINE RIVAL: THE LITTLE GUY
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Rick Wartzman]
[Commentary] The latest brouhaha over alleged=20
copyright infringement on the Internet has pitted=20
some of the biggest names in corporate America=20
against each other: Viacom Inc. Chairman Sumner=20
Redstone versus Google Inc. Chief Executive Eric=20
Schmidt. But you'd be wise to keep your eyes on=20
two other guys who, in a small way, are helping=20
to transform the media landscape: Christopher=20
Allan Smith and Ryan Neisz. They're the creators=20
and co-stars of an online comedy series called=20
"Snowmen Hunters," which was nominated this week=20
by Google's YouTube website for one of its=20
inaugural video awards, which seek to honor=20
user-generated content. For Big Media, the real=20
threat will emerge as more and more advertisers,=20
attracted by the millions of viewers who=20
genuinely enjoy this homespun programming,=20
gravitate toward the sites hosting these=20
productions and, in turn, more and more money=20
starts finding its way to the talent behind them.
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-calco23mar23,1,519721...
olumn?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business
(requires registration)

NEWS FROM CONGRESS

NTIA TESTIMONY BEFORE HOUSE COMMERCE COMMITTEE
[SOURCE: National Telecommunications and Information Administration]
Assistant Secretary for Communications and=20
Information John M. R. Kneuer testified before=20
the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on=20
"Oversight of the National Telecommunications and=20
Information Administration and Innovations in=20
Interoperability." Prepared testimony covered 1)=20
the NTIA's role in the transition to digital=20
television broadcasting, 2) universal, affordable=20
access to broadband, 3) spectrum policy, and 4)=20
advanced telecommunications and information services.
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/congress/2007/Kneuer_HouseEnergy_032207...
* Chairman John Dingell's opening statement:
First, I am curious to know what specific=20
policies the Executive Branch has put in place to=20
serve the telecommunications needs of all=20
Americans. Second, I am interested in NTIA=92s=20
stewardship of the digital television transition=20
converter box coupon program. All of us would=20
like to see the transition take place on time.=20
Third, I have concerns about NTIA using its role=20
in working with the Internet Corporation for=20
Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to better=20
promote an effective, open, and transparent=20
process for all parties for the governance and security of the Internet.
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110st28.shtml

A PUSH TO CREATE A FRESH CLASS OF PUBLIC SERVANTS
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Stephen Barr]
It's a project without big-time lobbyists and=20
with very little money. But advocates for a=20
federally financed public-service academy have=20
managed to put together a bill and line up=20
congressional sponsors, and now hope to find=20
committee chairmen to sponsor Capitol Hill=20
hearings. Yesterday, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton=20
(D-N.Y.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Reps.=20
James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.) and Christopher Shays=20
(R-Conn.) re-introduced legislation to create a=20
U.S. Public Service Academy. A version introduced=20
last September was too late for any congressional=20
action, but Clinton and Shays promised to try to=20
get the votes for passage this year. The school=20
would offer a free education to about 5,000=20
undergraduates in exchange for their commitment=20
to work for five years in public-service jobs in=20
local, state and federal governments.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/22/AR200703...
1945.html
(requires registration)

MORE FCC-RELATED NEWS

JET PASSENGERS MAY NOT GET TO CHAT ON CELLPHONES AFTER ALL
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: Paul Davidson]
The once-highflying idea of letting passengers=20
use their wireless phones on airplanes is about=20
to be grounded. Apparently, Federal=20
Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin=20
is recommending the FCC drop its tentative plan=20
to lift its ban on in-flight cellphone use. The=20
FCC has long worried that wireless calls at=20
35,000 feet would clog hundreds of on-ground=20
towers at once. That hurdle was expected to be=20
remedied by a plan to send passengers' cellphone=20
signals to a small airplane antenna, known as a=20
pico cell. The antenna would then relay calls to=20
earthbound towers over spectrum =97 earmarked just=20
for air-to-ground use =97 won by AirCell in an FCC=20
auction last year. But tests conducted last year=20
by CTIA, a wireless association, showed that=20
in-flight calls still cause interference,=20
especially if the pico cell couldn't recognize=20
the passenger's cellphone signal, says CTIA Vice=20
President Chris Guttman-McCabe. AirCell CEO Jack=20
Blumstein says the interference issues can be=20
fixed. The larger obstacle, he says, is a lack of=20
enthusiasm by both consumers and wireless=20
industry players for in-flight cellphone use.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/telecom/2007-03-21-fcc-usat_N.htm
* Chief Says F.C.C. Is Against Cellphone Use on Airliners
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/23/business/23FCC.html
* Cellphone calls likely to remain grounded
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-airphone23mar23,1,188...
.story?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business

POWELL JOINS CISCO BOARD
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Former FCC Chairman Michael Powell and Yahoo=20
co-founder Jerry Yang are joining the board of Cisco Systems.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6427129?title=3DArticle&space...
c=3Dnews

QUICKLY

SINGLE SPONSOR TO ALLOW ABC NEWS TO AIR AD-FREE
[SOURCE: AdAge, AUTHOR: Claire Atkinson]
ABC's "World News With Charles Gibson" will air=20
without commercials four times in April, thanks=20
to marketers who are stepping up as presenting=20
sponsors, including CVS, following a deal via=20
Hill Holiday. The remaining sponsors are yet to=20
be named. The commercial-free broadcasts will air=20
on April 2, April 9, April 16 and April 23. Carat=20
USA negotiated the remaining commercial support.=20
In addition to regular news of the day, ABC will=20
air a series called "Key to the World," reported=20
by Bill Weir. The deal will add five minutes to=20
the broadcast and enable it to run ad-free on=20
those nights. The aim of the series is to open up=20
areas of the world U.S. viewers may not know much=20
about [that is -- we haven't gone to war with=20
yet]. The first special will look at the=20
devastating effects of global warming on=20
Kiribati, a nation of 33 islands in the Pacific Ocean.
http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=3D115692

AN IMMIGRANT SEGMENT BY RADIO'S 'JERSEY GUYS' DRAWS FIRE
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Andrew Jacobs]
Craig Carton and Ray Rossi think mental illness=20
is hilarious and Asian-Americans are best mocked=20
with sing-song Chinese accents. The men, hosts of=20
an afternoon radio show called =93The Jersey Guys=94=20
that is heard in the Garden State on WKXW (101.5=20
FM), favor adjectives for politicians that have=20
to be bleeped out. Two weeks ago, Mr. Carton and=20
Mr. Rossi started =93Operation Rat a Rat/La Cucha=20
Gotcha,=94 a listener-participation game that=20
encourages people to turn in friends, neighbors=20
and =93anyone suspicious=94 to immigration=20
authorities. They introduced the segment with=20
mariachi music and set the campaign to end on May=20
5 (Cinco de Mayo), a well-known Mexican holiday.=20
At the risk of stating the obvious, the phrase=20
=93La Cucha Gotcha=94 is meant to evoke the Spanish word for cockroach.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/23/nyregion/23jersey.html
(requires registration)

PARENTS, TEACHERS, KIDS SPEAK UP ON ED TECH
[SOURCE: eSchool News, AUTHOR: Justin Appel]
Results of the fourth annual Speak Up survey=20
reveal attitudes of students, teachers, and=20
parents about educational technology. Among the=20
survey's many findings: Students want to see more=20
integration of technology into subjects such as=20
science and math--and two-thirds of parents=20
believe technology is underused in schools.
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showstoryts.cfm?Articleid=3D6951

TIME WARNER CABLE UNIT COULD FACE FINE
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: James S. Granelli]
Moorpark became the second city this week to=20
demand that Time Warner Cable Inc. comply with=20
customer service standards =97 and the first to=20
threaten a fine of as much as $25,000 or more.=20
Exercising its waning local control on the cable=20
TV industry, the City Council late Wednesday=20
initiated a procedure that could result in fines=20
next month for the company's prolonged difficulty=20
in merging pay TV and Internet systems. Time=20
Warner has struggled to combine operations it=20
acquired last summer from Comcast Corp. and Adelphia Communications Corp.
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-cable23mar23,1,670913...
tory?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business
(requires registration)
--------------------------------------------------------------
...and we're outta here. Have a great weekend. 10 days to Opening Day!
--------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------