July 2007

FCC OKs ‘Hardship’ Waivers for RCN, Three Others

FCC OKs 'HARDSHIP' WAIVERS FOR RCN, THREE OTHERS
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Todd Spangler]

No Such Thing as Simple Carriage Talks

NO SUCH THING AS SIMPLE CARRIAGE TALKS
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Mike Reynolds]
CTAM Summit panelists discuss complicated negotiations which, today, are more time-consuming and complex than ever before, but contract conclusions only mark the beginning of the relationship between programmers and distributors.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6462762.html

Bloggers take aim at city governments -- and hit home

BLOGGERS TAKE AIM AT CITY GOVERNMENTS -- AND HIT HOME
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times 7/23, AUTHOR: Jonathan Abrams]
Examples of the growing influence of citizen journalists roiling communities across Southern California, many of which rarely are covered by newspapers or other traditional media outlets. These muckraking bloggers say they have stepped in to fill the government watchdog vacuum. Some are anonymous, others are scurrilous and, on occasion, possibly libelous. And to local politicians, most are a royal pain in the tuchis.

CDT: Constitutional Issues Critical in Online Child "Protection"

CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES CRITICAL IN ONLINE CHILD "PROTECTION"
[SOURCE: Center for Democracy & Technology]

The New Wireless Playing Field

THE NEW WIRELESS PLAYING FIELD
[SOURCE: BusinessWeek, AUTHOR: Olga Kharif]
Cell-phone makers and outsiders like Google want to break free from carriers' rigid controls and gain direct access to subscribers.
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jul2007/tc20070724_805104...

How Fresh Is Your Cable News? Check the Label

HOW FRESH IS YOUR CABLE NEWS? CHECK THE LABEL
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Paul Farhi]
This just in! There's no more news on TV, at least not on the cable news networks. Plain old news apparently just isn't good enough anymore, so TV news stories have been getting new and improved names -- "Developing Story", "Breaking News", "Very Latest".
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/24/AR200707...
(requires registration)

Benton's Communications-related Headlines For Wednesday July 25, 2007

FCC OVERSIGHT HEARING RECAP
FCC Commissioners Back New Auction Rules
Commissioners Talk Broadband On The Hill
FCC To Reveal Test Results On Unlicensed Devices
FCC's Food Marketing Majority: Give Self-Regs a Chance
FCC's Martin says will consider Tribune sale in 4th quarter
Links to Opening Statements

SPECTRUM POLICY
Verizon: Google Auction Plan Will Discourage Bidders
Open Access for the 700 MHz Auction

BROADCASTING/CABLE
APTS: Seniors out of touch with digital transition
Cable Must Help with Digital Transition
FCC OKs =91Hardship=92 Waivers for RCN, Three Others
No Such Thing as Simple Carriage Talks
CBS Traces Social Responsibility

OWNERSHIP
Bit Players XM, Sirius Hold A High-Stakes Merger Game
Web Radio Battles Efforts to Expand Royalties for Music

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
FBI Seeks To Pay Telecoms For Data

QUICKLY -- Bloggers take aim at city governments=20
-- and hit home; Constitutional Issues=20
Critical in Online Child "Protection"; The New=20
Wireless Playing Field; How Fresh Is Your Cable News? Check the Label

FCC OVERSIGHT HEARING RECAP

FCC COMMISSIONERS BACK NEW AUCTION RULES
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: John Dunbar]
A majority of the Federal Communications=20
Commission members told a House subcommittee=20
Tuesday that they support an "open access"=20
requirement on one swath of airwaves that will be=20
auctioned early next year. The provision, put=20
forth by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, would allow=20
cell phone customers to use any device they would=20
like on a new network encompassing about=20
one-third of the 60 megahertz of spectrum to be=20
auctioned. The provision drew support from=20
Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce=20
Committee's subcommittee on telecommunications=20
and the Internet, and resistance from most of the=20
panel's Republicans. A broader open access=20
provision, however, supported by Google Inc. and=20
public interest groups, received limited support=20
from the commission's two Democrats and opposition from Martin.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/24/AR200707...
0889.html?nav=3Drss_technology
* Congress Quizzes FCC on Spectrum Auction
It is the growing debate over the=20
interoperability of wireless devices -- driven in=20
part by Google's $4.6 billion interest in the=20
wireless spectrum up for auction and in part by=20
the widespread frustration over AT&T's five-year=20
exclusive deal for the iPhone -- that has=20
stripped the FCC of much of its bureaucratic anonymity.
http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=3D54071
* Republican lawmakers protest spectrum plan
Republican members of the House Subcommittee on=20
Telecommunications and the Internet question the=20
FCC chairman's net-neutrality rules for the spectrum auction
http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/07/24/Republican-lawmakers-protest-s...
trum-plan_1.html
* House oversight hearing on the FCC
http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/house-oversight-hearing-fcc/2007-07-24
* FCC Majority Backs Open-Access Plan for Airwaves
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/24/AR200707...
0889.html
* FCC chairman differs with Google's plans for airwaves
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-google25jul25,1,31599...
story?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business

COMMISSIONERS TALK BROADBAND ON THE HILL
[SOURCE: Telecom Web]
On increasing broadband proliferation in the United States:
* Commissioner Copps: "The 700 MHz auction could=20
help turn this around. If we get it right, this=20
auction offers the prospect of new competition,=20
innovation and consumer choice -- perhaps even a=20
third broadband pipe. Here's another huge step we=20
could take: include broadband as part of=20
comprehensive Universal Service Fund reform to=20
keep our nation competitive in the global economy."
* Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein: "We need to=20
set ambitious goals and shoot for real=20
high-bandwidth broadband deployment. We should=20
start by updating our current anemic definition=20
of high-speed of just 200 Kbps in one direction=20
to something more akin to what consumers receive=20
in countries with which we compete, speeds that=20
are magnitudes higher than our current=20
definitions. Another important tool is better=20
mapping of broadband availability, which would=20
enable the public and private sectors to work=20
together to target underserved areas. Legislation=20
under consideration by leaders in both the House=20
and the Senate would enable us and other agencies=20
like the Census Bureau to make enormous progress=20
on this front. We must redouble our efforts to=20
encourage broadband development by increasing=20
incentives for investment because we will rely on=20
the private sector as the primary driver of=20
growth. These efforts must take place across=20
technologies, so that we not only build on the=20
traditional telephone and cable platforms, but=20
also create opportunities for deployment of=20
fiber-to-the-home, fixed and mobile wireless,=20
broadband over power line, and satellite=20
technologies. Ensuring the vitality of universal=20
service will be particularly important as=20
technology continues to evolve. Increasingly,=20
voice, video, and data will flow to homes and=20
businesses over broadband platforms. In this new=20
world, as voice becomes just one application over=20
broadband networks, we've got to have ubiquitous=20
broadband pipes to carry the most valuable IP=20
services everywhere. Without such broadband=20
networks, IP services can't reach their full=20
audience or capability. The economic, public=20
health, and social externalities associated with=20
access to broadband networks will be far more=20
important than the significant effects associated=20
with the plain-old-telephone-service network,=20
because broadband services will touch so many=20
different aspects of our lives. So, it is=20
important that the Commission conduct its=20
stewardship of the program with the highest of=20
standards and that we ensure that universal=20
service evolves to promote advanced services,=20
which is a priority that Congress has made explicitly clear."
http://www.telecomweb.com/tnd/24380.html

FCC TO REVEAL TEST RESULTS ON UNLICENSED DEVICES
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said the FCC would=20
release within a week the results of tests of=20
several remote-sensing unlicensed devices that=20
would potentially be allowed to operate in the=20
so-called "white spaces" between DTV channels.=20
The FCC has already said it plans to allow fixed=20
devices in the band subject to testing and other=20
safeguards to make sure the devices do not cause=20
interference to TV reception. It has not yet=20
decided to allow the remote-sensing unlicensed=20
devices. The fixed devices rely on base stations=20
and satellites to establish that they are=20
operating on vacant channels while the=20
remote-sensing devices do it intuitively and on=20
the fly. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has looked to=20
such devices to get more efficient use out of the=20
spectrum. When asked by Georgia Republican Rep.=20
Nathan Deal at an FCC oversight hearing on the=20
Hill Tuesday to make FCC engineers available to=20
the committees lawyers and manufacturers to=20
explain the results, Martin said he would.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6462740.html?rssid=3D193

FCC'S FOOD MARKETING MAJORITY: GIVE SELF-REGS A CHANCE
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and fellow=20
Commissioners Michael Copps and Deborah Tate told=20
Congress to that they would be willing to step in=20
if self-regulation on kids TV food ads did not=20
measure up, but weren't ready to set a government=20
standard on what foods should not be marketed to=20
kids. House Telecommunications & Internet=20
Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA) pointed=20
out that 11 food manufacturers had committed not=20
to market "unhealthy" foods to kids under 12.=20
Chairman Markey and at least one other Democratic=20
representative were concerned that the companies=20
would be defining what qualified as "unhealthy."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6462781.html?rssid=3D193

FCC'S MARTIN SAYS WILL CONSIDER TRIBUNE SALE IN 4TH QUARTER
[SOURCE: MarketWatch, AUTHOR: Corey Boles]
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin=20
Martin said Tuesday he hopes that the agency will=20
determine whether the Tribune's sale to real=20
estate magnate Sam Zell can proceed in the fourth quarter of the year.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/fccs-martin-says-consider-tribune/...
ry.aspx?guid=3D%7B0E7537E8%2DE6CF%2D4AE5%2D95B1%2D2AAFF03AF83B%7D&dist=3Dsi=
teid=3Drss

_Statements_

* Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA)
Highlighted pending issues before the FCC=20
including: the digital television transition,=20
universal telephone service, special access,=20
several forbearance petitions, and the upcoming spectrum auction rules.
http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=3Dcom_content&task=3Dview&id=3D...
7&Itemid=3D141

* Chairman John Dingell (D-MI)
I would like to thank the Chairman and the=20
Commissioners for the pro-consumer actions that=20
the FCC has taken since our last oversight=20
hearing. Ensuring a smooth DTV transition is the=20
most important task facing the Commission. While=20
much work remains to be done, I was particularly=20
pleased that the FCC brought enforcement actions=20
against TV manufacturers for importing non-DTV=20
compliant sets and against retailers that failed=20
to properly label analog sets. The Commission=20
also re-chartered its consumer advisory=20
committees and increased their focus on the DTV transition.
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110st69.shtml

* FCC Chairman Martin
"The pro-competition policies that we have been=20
furthering are designed to ensure that consumers benefit from innovation and
technological advancements in all of the communications industries."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-275464A1.pdf
- Martin Defends Open Access Spectrum Plan
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6462615.html?rssid=3D193

* Commissioner Copps
Focused his comments on three priorities: public safety, media, and broadba=
nd
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-275465A1.doc

* Commissioner Adelstein:
"In the interest of time, I would like to focus=20
today on three among the many urgent priorities=20
we face. First, I will discuss the need for a=20
national broadband strategy to ensure the=20
ubiquitous deployment of affordable, high speed=20
broadband infrastructure to every corner of this=20
country. Second, I will touch upon the role of=20
spectrum-based services, and the importance of=20
the upcoming 700 MHz auction, as a critical=20
aspect of that national strategy. And third, I=20
would like to highlight the pressing media=20
agenda, involving media ownership, including=20
women and minority ownership, public interest and=20
localism obligations, and the need for strong=20
leadership by the Commission to ensure a=20
successful and smooth transition to digital television."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-275467A1.pdf

* Commissioner Tate
Focused on 1) the work the Commission has been=20
doing on behalf of children, families and=20
consumers- including the areas of media and=20
childhood obesity, as well as educational=20
programming for children and the effects of=20
violent programming. Other areas include our=20
outreach initiatives to solicit public input on=20
broadcast ownership and localism; and our efforts=20
to ensure that the public is fully educated about=20
the DTV transition, to improve access to=20
communications services for persons with=20
disabilities, and to strengthen our privacy rules=20
to prevent pre-texting. 2) Increasing broadband=20
deployment. The Commission launched two=20
initiatives that will allow the Commission to=20
gain an even better picture of broadband=20
deployment in this country- and is also looking=20
at how to structure the upcoming 700 MHz auction=20
to further deployment of wireless broadband=20
services. The Commission also started a review of=20
broadband industry practices. 3) Public safety=20
and Homeland Security. The upcoming 700 MHz=20
auction could enhance 911 access and location=20
system performance. The Commission also=20
implemented various recommendations of the=20
Commission's Independent Panel reviewing the=20
impact of Hurricane Katrina on communications networks.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-275468A1.pdf

* Commissioner McDowell
Concentrated on wireless issues, media policy,=20
public safety and homeland security, satellites, and wireline telephony.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-275469A1.pdf

SPECTRUM POLICY

VERIZON: GOOGLE AUCTION PLAN WILL DISCOURAGE BIDDERS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Verizon is urging the FCC not to adopt Google's=20
suggested terms for rules on reclaimed analog TV=20
spectrum to be auctioned for advanced wireless=20
services by early 2008, saying it could reduce=20
the auction's take by billions. =93Google=92s filing=20
attempts to turn this carefully considered plan=20
on its head," said Verizon executive VP, public=20
affairs and former congressman Tom Tauke. "As it=20
stands now, Google is free to participate in the=20
auction like all other companies and implement=20
its business plan if it is successful in winning=20
spectrum. However, Google=92s filing urges the FCC=20
to adopt rules that force all bidders to=20
implement Google=92s business plan =AD which would=20
reduce the incentives for other players to=20
bid....The bottom line is this: without Google=92s=20
rules, the government will get literally billions=20
more for this valuable spectrum, and the=20
taxpayers will be the winners," he said.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6462472.html?rssid=3D193
* 700 MHz Endgame: Has AT&T Asked Bush to Put Thumb On Scale?
http://www.wetmachine.com/item/850

OPEN ACCESS FOR THE 700 MHZ AUCTION
[SOURCE: New America Foundation, AUTHOR: Simon=20
Wilkie, University of Southern California]
Wilkie analyzes the competitive effects of recent=20
proposals to reserve a small portion of the=20
upcoming 700 MHz band auction for wholesale,=20
open-access use. Using this license, a wholesale=20
open-access licensee would build out the wireless=20
network, own and operate the cell sites, towers,=20
and radio equipment, and provide transport to the=20
Internet backbone. For the purposes of this=20
report, =93open access=94 means that there would be=20
=93no locking and no blocking=94 by the network=20
operator. That is, there would be no prohibitions=20
against devices that may be connected to the=20
network so long as the devices are compatible=20
with, and do not harm, the network (i.e., no=20
=93locking=94), and there would be no restrictions=20
against content, applications, or services that=20
may be accessed over the network (i.e., no=20
=93blocking=94). Verizon=92s decision to reject Apple=92s=20
iPhone is a recent example of locking, and its=20
prohibitions against video streaming,=20
peer-to-peer file sharing, and other applications are examples of blocking.
http://www.newamerica.net/publications/policy/open_access_700_mhz_auction

BROADCASTING/CABLE

APTS: SENIORS OUT OF TOUCH WITH DIGITAL TRANSITION
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Glen Dickson]
Older Americans are more likely to rely on=20
over-the-air television service and are thus less=20
prepared for the switch-off of analog signals in=20
February 2009, according to a new study released=20
by the Association of Public Television Stations=20
(APTS). "Americans aged 65 and older are=20
consistently more likely to receive television=20
signals via an over-the-air antenna than are=20
Americans under 65." According to the APTS=20
findings, 24 percent of households with Americans=20
65 and older received their TV programming=20
over-the-air, while only 19 percent of younger=20
households were over-the-air. The study also=20
found that only 17% of those senior citizens=20
relying solely on over-the-air broadcasts own a=20
digital TV, which means the rest will need to buy=20
a digital-to-analog converter box or subscribe to=20
cable or satellite service to continue to enjoy=20
television programming. The study, which APTS=20
says is the first time it has studied the impact=20
of the digital transition on a specific=20
population segment, also found that only 41% of=20
Americans 65 and older had purchased a new TV set=20
in the past three years, compared to 55 percent=20
of Americans younger than 65. According to APTS,=20
that suggests that seniors may not be as exposed=20
to "DTV transition messaging from electronics=20
retailers" as younger Americans, since they are=20
spending less time in retail outlets shopping for new TV sets.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6462711.html?rssid=3D193
* APTS: http://www.apts.org/

CABLE MUST HELP WITH DIGITAL TRANSITION
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Anne Becker]
Reps Rick Boucher (D-VA) and Greg Walden (R-OR),=20
speaking to some 2,700 attendees at the annual=20
CTAM (Cable Telecommunications Association for=20
Marketing) summit in Washington DC, urged cable=20
operators to help broadcasters raise consumer=20
awareness of the nation=92s transition to digital=20
television on Feb. 17, 2009. Rep Boucher said=20
operators, as a form of public service, should=20
make announcements on TV and include inserts into=20
monthly mailings, among other efforts. Rep Walden=20
echoed the sentiment and said operators should help avoid confusion in 2009.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6462529.html?rssid=3D193
* Legislators Push Cable Ops to Help Digital Transition
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6462726.html

FCC OKs 'HARDSHIP' WAIVERS FOR RCN, THREE OTHERS
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Todd Spangler]
The action on CableCARD set-tops isn't over: The=20
Federal Communications Commission=92s Media Bureau=20
Monday issued a second wave of rulings on the=20
integrated set-top ban, which went into effect=20
July 1. The agency granted a one-year waiver of=20
the integration ban to four cable operators --=20
RCN, WideOpenWest, James Cable and Great Plains=20
Cable Television -- for certain models of set-top=20
boxes, citing financial difficulties of each=20
company. Also Monday, the FCC granted waiver=20
requests to seven phone companies because they=20
already operate all-digital systems or have=20
promised to do so by Feb. 17, 2009, when TV=20
broadcasters are required to stop transmitting=20
analog signals. That=92s the same reason the agency=20
gave late last month in approving waivers for=20
Verizon Communications, Qwest Communications=20
International and about 120 other providers.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6462741.html

NO SUCH THING AS SIMPLE CARRIAGE TALKS
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Mike Reynolds]
CTAM Summit panelists discuss complicated=20
negotiations which, today, are more=20
time-consuming and complex than ever before, but=20
contract conclusions only mark the beginning of=20
the relationship between programmers and distributors.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6462762.html

CBS TRACES SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable]
CBS has issued its third annual social=20
responsibility report. The report outlines the=20
2006 efforts by the network and its broadcast=20
stations, cable nets, and print and outdoor=20
businesses to "community outreach, public service=20
announcements, responsible programming and=20
diversity." The report is meant to accentuate the=20
positive and reinforce the company's image as a=20
public servant. Among the responsible programs=20
the network spotlights heavily in the report is=20
Without a Trace. That is the show that the FCC=20
hit with the largest-ever proposed indecency=20
fine, a fine that CBS is challenging. It is also,=20
per CBS, a show that has dealt with important=20
issues including drug abuse, AIDS, and racial=20
inequity. CBS also showcases the Super Bowl, a=20
broadcast that in other years has drawn content=20
critics. In this case it was the 2006 game during=20
which CBS distributed footballs and gear to=20
soldiers in Iraq and held a flag football=20
"Baghdad Bowl" game, airing some of the footage during the game.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6462786.html?rssid=3D193

OWNERSHIP

BIT PLAYERS XM, SIRIUS HOLD A HIGH-STAKES MERGER GAME
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Jeffrey H. Birnbaum]
By any conventional measure, the proposed merger=20
between XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite=20
Radio is not a big deal. Both firms are young; XM=20
is barely 10 years old. Revenue for each last=20
year was less than $1 billion, making them bit=20
players in the media world. The only statistic=20
that is remarkable is the size of their net=20
losses: a combined $1.8 billion in 2006. Yet in=20
the Washington area, XM and Sirius are giants.=20
They have spent millions of dollars to gain=20
regulatory approval for their union. And their=20
chief opponent, the National Association of=20
Broadcasters, has spent a small fortune to block=20
it. The reason is an object lesson for the=20
nation's capital: Government has grown pivotal to=20
the business world and, in some cases, its=20
decisions are make-or-break for individual companies or industries.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/24/AR200707...
2308.html
(requires registration)

WEB RADIO BATTLES EFFORTS TO EXPAND ROYALTIES FOR MUSIC
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Lee Gomes]
Every piece of recorded music is covered by two=20
separate copyrights. The first involves the=20
musical composition itself and is usually handled=20
by music publishers on behalf of composers and=20
songwriters. The other is for a specific=20
recording of the song, which is owned by record=20
labels and musicians. Those two copyrights are=20
nearly as old as recorded music itself. They have=20
spawned huge organizations to represent the=20
various parties, including the Recording Industry=20
Association of America, which speaks for record=20
labels, and ASCAP and BMI, which are music=20
publishers that represent songwriters. Web-radio=20
companies, including big Internet broadcasters=20
such as Yahoo, are banded together through the=20
Digital Media Association. Often, interests on=20
the content-creation side of the music business=20
are aligned, as when they join forces to fight=20
music piracy. But record labels and musicians=20
typically can negotiate royalties, while=20
songwriters and composers are usually forced to=20
take a fixed amount -- one established via a=20
legal proceeding set up by Congress. The=20
publishers representing the songwriters one day=20
would like to change that to gain flexibility in negotiations.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118530628850576526.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
ketplace
(requires subscription)

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
FBI Seeks To Pay Telecoms For Data
FBI SEEKS TO PAY TELECOMS FOR DATA
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Ellen Nakashima]
The FBI wants to pay the major telecommunications=20
companies to retain their customers' Internet and=20
phone call information for at least two years for=20
the agency's use in counterterrorism=20
investigations and is asking Congress for $5=20
million a year to defray the cost, according to=20
FBI officials and budget documents. The FBI would=20
not have direct access to the records. It would=20
need to present a subpoena or an administrative=20
warrant, known as a national security letter, to=20
obtain the information that the companies would=20
keep in a database, officials said. The proposal=20
has raised concerns by civil libertarians who=20
point to telecom companies' alleged involvement=20
in the government's domestic surveillance program=20
and to a recent Justice Department inspector=20
general's report on FBI abuse of national=20
security letters. In one case, a senior FBI=20
official signed the letters without including the=20
required proof that they were linked to FBI=20
counterterrorism or espionage investigations.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/24/AR200707...
2479.html
(requires registration)

QUICKLY

BLOGGERS TAKE AIM AT CITY GOVERNMENTS -- AND HIT HOME
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times 7/23, AUTHOR: Jonathan Abrams]
Examples of the growing influence of citizen=20
journalists roiling communities across Southern=20
California, many of which rarely are covered by=20
newspapers or other traditional media outlets.=20
These muckraking bloggers say they have stepped=20
in to fill the government watchdog vacuum. Some=20
are anonymous, others are scurrilous and, on=20
occasion, possibly libelous. And to local=20
politicians, most are a royal pain in the tuchis.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-blogs23jul23,1,7719611,full.story
(requires registration)

CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES CRITICAL IN ONLINE CHILD "PROTECTION"
[SOURCE: Center for Democracy & Technology]
As the Senate Commerce Committee debates how best=20
to protect children on the Internet, lawmakers=20
must take special care to avoid overly simple=20
solutions that would do more harm than good. In=20
its zeal to protect kids from predators and=20
potentially inappropriate content, Congress must=20
not trample the First Amendment rights of=20
Internet users, CDT said in a statement submitted=20
to the Committee today. The Committee is holding=20
a hearing entitled "Protecting Children on the=20
Internet," that features no representatives from the civil liberties commun=
ity.
CDT Statement: http://www.cdt.org/speech/20070623child-protection.pdf

THE NEW WIRELESS PLAYING FIELD
[SOURCE: BusinessWeek, AUTHOR: Olga Kharif]
Cell-phone makers and outsiders like Google want=20
to break free from carriers' rigid controls and=20
gain direct access to subscribers.
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jul2007/tc20070724_805104...
m?campaign_id=3Drss_tech

HOW FRESH IS YOUR CABLE NEWS? CHECK THE LABEL
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Paul Farhi]
This just in! There's no more news on TV, at=20
least not on the cable news networks. Plain old=20
news apparently just isn't good enough anymore,=20
so TV news stories have been getting new and=20
improved names -- "Developing Story", "Breaking News", "Very Latest".
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/24/AR200707...
2434.html
(requires registration)
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Communications-related Headlines is a free online=20
news summary service provided by the Benton=20
Foundation (www.benton.org). Posted Monday=20
through Friday, this service provides updates on=20
important industry developments, policy issues,=20
and other related news events. While the=20
summaries are factually accurate, their often=20
informal tone does not always represent the tone=20
of the original articles. Headlines are compiled=20
by Kevin Taglang headlines( at )benton.org -- we welcome your comments.
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Broadband Baloney

BROADBAND BALONEY
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Robert McDowell]

Bandwidth Wars

BANDWIDTH WARS
[SOURCE: Financial Times, AUTHOR: Thomas Hazlett, George Mason University]

Dingell Seeks FCC Answers On Set-Tops, Spectrum Auctions

DINGELL SEEKS FCC ANSWERS ON SET-TOPS, SPECTRUM AUCTIONS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]