October 2007

On Wednesday morning, FCC Chairman Kevin martin,=20
NTIA head John Kneuer, GAO Director Mark=20
Goldstein, and many more will testify before the=20
House Telecom Subcommittee concerning the Status=20
of the DTV Transition. For this and other=20
upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org/?q=3Devent

MEDIA OWNERSHIP
"It's just research"
Dow Jones Drops CNBC Ads From Web Sites in Favor of Fox Links
Attorney General Looking Into Sale of Connecticut Dailies to Media=
News
YouTube begins public test of anti-piracy database
Scripps to Separate into Two Companies

DIGITAL TV TRANSITION
Martin: Bill Mandating DTV-Education Reporting Would Be Helpful
The digital revolution must be televised nationwide
Broadcasters to use prime time for DTV campaign
NCTA Wants Small Op Dual Carriage Exemption
Auction the spectrum=92s =91white spaces=92
FCC Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Members Named

BROADCASTING/CABLE
Sensationalism is bad for local news ratings
NCTA: Leave Leased-Access and Program-Sales Model Alone
Advertising, Net -- Not Cable -- Playing Big Role in Presidential =
Bids
Regulators order AT&T to apply for cable TV license for 'U-verse'

INTERNET/BROADBAND
New bill may eliminate NH web tax
The power of the click

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
Phone carriers quiet on U.S. surveillance program
Approve the shield law

TELECOM
Verizon Letter on Privacy Stirs Debate

QUICKLY -- Nobel in Economics and Spectrum=20
Auctions; NEA, PTA to Unveil TV Education=20
Campaign; FCC Fines Nashville Station for=20
Reporting Failures; Consumers Watching More TV=20
Online; CAGW Says Government Should Leave the Telecom Industry Alone

MEDIA OWNERSHIP

"IT'S JUST RESEARCH"
[SOURCE: Lasar's Letter on the FCC, AUTHOR: Matthew Lasar]
An interview with Michigan State University=20
College of Law Professor Adam Candeub. He was not=20
interviewed in the FCC Inspector General's=20
investigation into suppressed research on media=20
ownership. Candeub worked with the authors of a=20
study of TV news. He saw as they "kept on=20
drafting and re-drafting, making change after=20
change in response to management's ever-shifting=20
criticism. What was odd was that the critique=20
they received from management became much more=20
caviling and bizarre as time went on. Eventually=20
it became clear that the FCC would never release=20
the study, and the authors were told to keep the=20
wraps on it. And that was that." The IG concluded=20
that personality differences between these=20
authors and management led the authors to=20
experience criticisms of the report as inaccurate=20
and pretextual. Concerning the Draft 2003 Radio=20
Report, the second report accused of being=20
repressed, the IG notes that the then Media=20
Bureau Chief Ken Ferree declared in an e-mail=20
message that the report should not go further=20
because he "[was] not inclined to release this=20
one unless the story can be told in a much more=20
positive way. This is not the time to be stirring=20
the 'radio consolidation' pot . . . All in all=20
this is a really bad time to release something=20
like this." The IG interprets this quote=20
essentially as an attempt to shift priorities to=20
immediate issues that management felt it needed=20
staff to focus on. Candeub responds, "What is=20
most disturbing about the IG's report is its=20
willingness to credit Ferree's and management's=20
claims that they did not stifle the TV report for=20
political reasons=97when there is indisputable=20
evidence that Ferree stifled the radio report for political reasons."
http://www.lasarletter.net/drupal/node/484

DOW JONES DROPS CNBC ADS FROM WEB SITE IN FAVOR OF FOX LINKS
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Bill Carter]
On the day they had contracted to run=20
advertisements placed by CNBC, two Web sites=20
owned by Dow Jones & Company instead ran ads for=20
that cable business channel=92s new competitor, the=20
Fox Business Network. Both MarketWatch and The=20
Wall Street Journal=92s Web site, WSJ.com, filled=20
up the exact spaces CNBC had purchased with=20
rotating ads that included some for Fox Business=20
Network. These were accompanied by links to=20
foxbusiness.com, the Web site of the Fox Business=20
Network. The ads for Fox started running soon=20
after midnight. CNBC, which is owned by NBC=20
Universal (both are units of General Electric),=20
had concluded a deal with Dow Jones more than a=20
month ago to secure those locations for ads=20
supporting CNBC. CNBC paid about $87,000 for the=20
ads. Aware that yesterday was the day that its=20
new rival, Fox Business, was going on the air,=20
CNBC specifically asked for =97 and was granted =97=20
an exclusive position on MarketWatch,=20
guaranteeing that its ads would be seen by=20
everyone who went to the home page. CNBC had also=20
purchased a two-month position on the Markets=20
Data page on WSJ.com. In both cases, ads for Fox=20
Business Network turned up exactly where CNBC had=20
contracted for its ads to be. Fox=92s owner, the=20
News Corporation, agreed to purchase Dow Jones in=20
July, but that deal has not been completed.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/16/business/media/16foxads.html?ref=3Dtod...
paper
(requires registration)

ATTORNEY GENERAL LOOKING INTO SALE OF CONNECTICUT DAILIES TO MEDIANEWS
[SOURCE: Editor&Publisher]
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal=20
says he's monitoring reports that one of the=20
country's largest newspaper chains might be=20
interested in buying The Advocate of Stamford and=20
Greenwich Time. MediaNews Group already owns the=20
Connecticut Post in Bridgeport, The News-Times in=20
Danbury, and several weekly papers in Fairfield=20
County. The president of The Hour Publishing=20
Company, which owns The Hour in Norwalk and=20
weekly papers in Wilton and Stamford, wrote to=20
Blumenthal to say MediaNews might have an unfair=20
competitive advantage in southwestern Connecticut=20
if it buys the two papers. They have a combined circulation of 35,000.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003658658

YOUTUBE BEGINS PUBLIC TEST OF ANTI-PIRACY DATABASE
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Eric Auchard]
YouTube, the Google Inc video-sharing site, said=20
on Monday it has begun public testing of a=20
long-awaited video-matching database in its=20
latest bid to ward off lawsuits over video=20
piracy. The world's largest online video-sharing=20
site said the YouTube Video Identification=20
technology is a database that stores reference=20
files of original video content and associated=20
ownership rights and compares it to any video YouTube users attempt to uplo=
ad.
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN1538371420071015
* Google Blinks, and Today the Internet is a Little Less Free
http://www.publicknowledge.org/node/1217
* Google Takes Step on Video Copyrights
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/16/business/16video.html?ref=3Dtodayspaper
* YouTube gets media providers' help foiling piracy
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20071016/you_tube16.art.htm
* YouTube unveils copyright protection plan
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-youtube16oct16,1,6860...
.story?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business

SCRIPPS TO SEPARATE INTO TWO COMPANIES
[SOURCE: tvnewsday]
E. W. Scripps Co. will split into two publicly=20
traded companies: E.W. Scripps Co. will include=20
its 10 TV stations and newspapers; Scripps=20
Networks Interactive will comprise cable networks and Internet businesses.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/10/16/daily.5/

DIGITAL TV TRANSITION

MARTIN: BILL MANDATING DTV-EDUCATION REPORTING WOULD BE HELPFUL
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin=20
Martin told Reps. Joe Barton (R-Texas) and Fred=20
Upton (R-Mich.) that he plans to have a draft of=20
FCC digital-TV-education proposals ready for a=20
vote by the other FCC Commissioners by the end of=20
the month, but that a bill requiring broadcasters=20
to report on their DTV-transition efforts and=20
cable to provide bill-stuffers would be helpful.=20
Martin told the ranking members of the House=20
Commerce Committee that it would be "helpful" to=20
have the "additional authority" provided by=20
Barton's and Upton's proposed bill, H.R. 608,=20
which would require broadcasters to report to the=20
Commission every 90 days on their progress in=20
informing viewers about the February 2009 switch=20
to digital broadcasting, although it would not=20
mandate any set number of PSAs they have to run.=20
Cable would be required to include bill-stuffers=20
on the transition. The FCC could levy fines for=20
noncompliance. Chairman Martin also told the=20
legislators that the FCC's next report on video=20
competition has been circulated among the=20
Commissioners for a vote and that it found that=20
fewer than 20% of U.S. households rely solely on=20
over-the-air broadcasting, although it could not=20
break out how many of those had digital TVs that=20
would not need DTV-to-analog converter boxes. The=20
Commission will modify the next competition=20
report to try to ascertain that answer.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6491438.html?rssid=3D193
* FCC Seeks Refined DTV Tuner Adoption Data
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6491416.html?rssid=3D196

THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION MUST BE TELEVISED NATIONWIDE
[SOURCE: The Hill, AUTHOR: Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii)]
[Commentary] A revolution is coming to television=20
sets across this country. The rewards of a=20
successful digital television (DTV) transition=20
are enormous. Yet a recent poll from the National=20
Association of Broadcasters suggests that only 1=20
in 10 Americans know when the digital transition=20
is coming. To ensure success, we must draw up a=20
battle plan. At the federal level, this=20
responsibility falls principally on the Federal=20
Communications Commission (FCC) and the National=20
Telecommunications and Information Administration=20
(NTIA). The time has come to manage the mechanics=20
of the transition with the American public in=20
mind. First, to get this done right, the=20
administration should establish a federal,=20
interagency DTV Task Force, co-chaired by=20
leadership at the FCC and NTIA. The DTV Task=20
Force would determine how best to marshal=20
existing resources across the federal government=20
and advise Congress as to what additional=20
measures may be necessary to ensure a smooth=20
transition. Second, as we develop this national=20
effort, it is imperative that we match our work=20
with local needs and strategies. Finally, we must=20
enhance transparency and accountability for the=20
digital transition. Indeed, success will require=20
that we regularly measure data in each television market.
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/the-digital-revolution-must-be-telev...
d-nationwide-2007-10-16.html

BROADCASTERS TO USE PRIME TIME FOR DTV CAMPAIGN
[SOURCE: Reuters]
U.S. broadcasters promised on Monday to air more=20
than $327 million worth of television spots as=20
part of a broad campaign to alert consumers about=20
the approaching switch-over to digital=20
television. The major television networks, as=20
well as 95 station-owning broadcast companies,=20
pledged to run the ads as part of a $697 million=20
campaign designed to keep viewers from being=20
caught off guard when broadcasters switch to=20
digital signals by February 17, 2009. The=20
television spots, including some to be aired=20
during prime time, warn viewers that older,=20
analog televisions will not work after the=20
switch-over and steer them towards possible=20
solutions. The campaign, announced by the=20
National Association of Broadcasters, will also=20
include repeated reminders on local news=20
stations, as well as public relations and other=20
educational programs designed to raise public=20
awareness of about the switch-over.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=3DentertainmentNews&...
ryID=3D2007-10-15T231551Z_01_N15390311_RTRUKOC_0_US-BROADCASTERS-DTV.xml&ar=
chived=3DFalse
* NAB Details $700 million DTV Education Push
Every TV network and over 900 stations are on=20
board to inform the public about the switch from=20
analog broadcasting. NAB says the campaign will=20
generate 98 billion audience impressions by Feb. 17, 2009.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/10/15/daily.11/
* NAB: DTV-Education Campaign Valued at $697M
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6491479.html?rssid=3D193
* APTS, PBS Continue DTV Transition Initiative
The Association of Public Television Stations and=20
PBS set out the next phase of their initiative to=20
educate viewers about the DTV transition. Member=20
stations will air informational spots across daytime, primetime and weekend=
s.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/10/15/daily.7/
* PBS, NCTA Grab Some DTV-Transition-Education Spotlight
The National Cable & Telecommunications=20
Association announced the production of two new bilingual PSAs.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6491474.html?rssid=3D193
* APTS and PBS press release
http://www.apts.org/upload/PTV%20Consumer%20Education%20Campaign%20relea...
FINAL.doc
* Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez Praises NAB
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/press/2007/DTV_NAB_101507.html
* Chairman Martin Applauds NAB
http://www.fcc.gov/101507/martin101507.pdf

NCTA WANTS SMALL OP DUAL CARRIAGE EXEMPTION
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
Small cable operators deserve an automatic=20
exemption from new Federal Communications=20
Commission mandates on the carriage of digital=20
signals of local TV stations in early 2009,=20
National Cable & Telecommunications Association=20
President Kyle McSlarrow is expected to say in=20
Senate testimony Wednesday. Under the rules, all=20
cable systems will need to carry local TV=20
stations that elect mandatory carriage in both=20
analog and digital formats if the systems=20
continue to provide analog programming services=20
to subscribers after Feb. 17, 2009. On that date,=20
all full-power TV station in the U.S. are=20
required by law to shut off their analog signals.=20
In his testimony, McSlarrow said the FCC=92s rules,=20
which were adopted on Sept. 11 but have not been=20
released, should have exempted small operators=20
and low-capacity systems from the dual carriage=20
requirement, to remove economic and technological=20
burdens on companies that lack regional scale like Comcast and Time Warner.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6491499.html?rssid=3D196

AUCTION THE SPECTRUM'S 'WHITE SPACES'
[SOURCE: The Hill, AUTHOR: Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.)]
[Commentary] Even after we complete the digital=20
television transition on Feb. 17, 2009,=20
broadcasters will not be using all the spectrum=20
allocated for television. The unused spectrum=20
left over throughout the country has been dubbed=20
the =93white spaces.=94 Some companies are asking=20
that the spectrum be given to them for free to=20
use for unlicensed devices. This would be a=20
mistake. The spectrum should be auctioned.=20
Auctions put spectrum into the hands of those who=20
value it most while letting market forces, rather=20
than regulators, determine the best technologies=20
and services. Auctions provide a predictable=20
environment to ensure companies can invest with=20
certainty. And the licenses that are auctioned=20
protect against interference because license=20
holders have both an incentive and a legal duty to prevent any problems.
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/auction-the-spectrums-white-spaces-2...
-10-16.html

FCC INTERGOVERNMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS NAMED
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The FCC has named members to its=20
Intergovernmental Advisory Committee. There will=20
be four municipality representatives, two county=20
representatives, one city attorney=20
representative, Mississippi Gov Haley Barbour=20
(R), one state public utility commission=20
representative, three state legislative=20
representatives, and three tribal=20
representatives. A principal focus of the IAC for=20
its current term will be the nation's transition=20
to digital television (DTV) as the Commission=20
continues its efforts to assist consumers in=20
understanding and preparing for the transition=20
which, by law, must be completed by February 17,=20
2009. Collaboration and coordination with local,=20
state and tribal governments is crucial to the=20
Commission's goal of ensuring that all consumers,=20
especially elderly, low-income, people with=20
disabilities, people living in rural areas and=20
non-English speaking consumers, are aware of the=20
transition and understand what specific steps, if=20
any, they must take to continue watching=20
television after the transition is complete on=20
February 17, 2009. The Commission looks forward=20
to the valuable insights that the IAC will=20
provide about working effectively with its local,=20
state and tribal partners to educate consumers about the DTV transition.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-277317A1.doc

BROADCASTING/CABLE

NEW RESEARCH CONCLUDES THAT THE SENSATIONALISM=20
SWEEPING LOCAL NEWS IS BAD FOR RATINGS
[SOURCE: The Boston Globe, AUTHOR: Drake Bennett]
The past two decades have seen a marked shift in=20
local television news across the country, away=20
from in-depth coverage and toward speed and=20
spectacle. Broadcast news, envisioned in the=20
early years of television as a means of enriching=20
civic life, has - according to politicians, media=20
watchdog groups, and many TV journalists=20
themselves - degenerated into=20
lowest-common-denominator entertainment. Yet many=20
who work in the industry have grimly accepted=20
this: The market has spoken. But a study=20
published earlier this year - the most exhaustive=20
ever conducted of local television news -=20
suggests that the industry has severely=20
underestimated its audience. In an unprecedented=20
survey, a team of researchers under the auspices=20
of the Project for Excellence in Journalism=20
studied the minute-by-minute Nielsen ratings for=20
newscasts from 154 local television stations over=20
five years, more than 33,000 news stories in all.=20
What they found is that quality sells.=20
Sensationalism, the study suggests, does bring=20
good ratings. But well-done, substantive TV news=20
proves just as popular -- and often earns even=20
better ratings. Viewers, the study found, are=20
perfectly willing to watch stories on education=20
policy or tax debates - in many cases they'll=20
tune in to those stories but flip away from a=20
segment on a celebrity divorce or a deadly=20
highway pileup. And they'll consistently reward=20
in-depth reporting with higher ratings than more=20
cursory stories, no matter what the topic. The=20
findings suggest that the shift to violence and=20
voyeurism has left everyone worse off.
http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2007/10/14/news_flash/

NCTA: LEAVE LEASED-ACCESS AND PROGRAM-SALES MODEL ALONE
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin=20
Martin said last week that he thought the FCC=20
should: 1) re-examine leased-access rules "to=20
better encourage independent programmers,=94 2)=20
lower cable leased-access rates as a way to help=20
minorities get more access to media outlets, and=20
3) unbundle cable programming at the wholesale=20
level. On the same day, in comments filed at the=20
FCC, the National Cable & Telecommunications=20
Association said: A) subscription fees are=20
"critical" to the viability of independent=20
programming services, B) comments from Black=20
Television News Channel point out that "leased=20
access does not support the development of=20
independent national programming," C) cable=20
operators aren't necessarily being compensated=20
sufficiently as it is for the logistics of=20
leasing capacity, and D) there is plenty of=20
competition that provides the spur to cable=20
operators' choice of what channels to deliver to its audience.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6491190.html?rssid=3D193

PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL CLINTON HAS MOST WEB VISITORS
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Jeremy Pelofsky]
With a wide open field among Democrats and=20
Republicans ahead of the November 2008 election,=20
candidates are already spending millions of=20
dollars on advertising and the Internet to draw=20
support before the nominating contests early next=20
year. Sen Hillary Clinton (D-NY) has largely=20
steered clear of traditional radio and television=20
advertising in her presidential campaign, instead=20
nurturing the Internet audience and drawing the=20
largest number of online visitors. Sen Clinton=20
had the most visitors to her Web sites in August,=20
almost 760,000, compared to her rivals, but she=20
ran only about 2,200 radio and television spots=20
so far this year, according to Nielsen data=20
released on Monday. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), who=20
has consistently run second in national polls,=20
was a close second in the number of Web page=20
visitors with about 750,000 in August, but ran=20
almost double the number of radio and television=20
spots this year with 4,300. The Democrat who ran=20
the most television and radio spots was Gov. Bill=20
Richardson (D-NM) with about 6,000. He has mostly=20
registered in the single digits in polls. He had=20
103,000 Web site visitors in August, Nielsen=20
found. Among Republicans, former Tennessee Sen.=20
Fred Thompson, who officially joined the=20
presidential race in September, had the most=20
separate visitors to his Web site in August, with=20
some 410,000, according to Nielsen.
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN1535252220071015
* Presidential Candidates Shun Cable Advertising
Both Republicans and Democrats competing in 2008=20
presidential race have largely ignored national=20
cable networks and local cable systems in their=20
attempts to woo voters through political=20
advertising, according to a report from Nielsen=20
Co. Almost 95% of the total 28,725 presidential=20
campaign ads purchased by candidates this year=20
were on local TV stations, and more than 71% of=20
those were placed in Iowa, Nielsen said Monday.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6491464.html?rssid=3D196
* Presidential Hopefuls Still Favor Local TV Ads
http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=3D100...
8398
* Romney outspends presidential rivals
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-money16oct16,1,1...
066.story?coll=3Dla-news-a_section

REGULATORS ORDER AT&T TO APPLY FOR CABLE TV LICENSE FOR 'U-VERSE'
[SOURCE: Associated Press]
State utility regulators on Monday ordered AT&T=20
to get a cable television license for the=20
Internet protocol-based TV service it is=20
currently providing in Connecticut. Department of=20
Public Utility Control commissioners said a=20
recent ruling by a federal judge made it clear=20
that AT&T's "U-verse" constitutes a cable=20
television service, and the company is operating=20
it without proper authorization.
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/state/hc-15192355.apds.m0940.bc=
-ct--attoct15,0,2470765.story?coll=3Dhc-headlines-local-wirehttp://www.sta=
mfordadvocate.com/news/local/state/hc-15192355.apds.m0940.bc-ct--attoct15,0=
,2470765.story?coll=3Dhc-headlines-local-wire
* AT&T video rollout hits Conn. regulatory roadblock
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN1540001720071016

INTERNET/BROADBAND

NEW BILL MAY ELIMINATE STATE WEB TAX
[SOURCE: Concord Monitor, AUTHOR: Kate Davidson]
New Hampshire is one of nine states that can tax=20
Internet access and currently levies a 7 percent=20
communications tax for Internet access through=20
dial-up service, DSL, cable modem and wireless=20
connections. That could change if Congress=20
approves a bill introduced by Sen. John Sununu=20
(R-NH) that would get rid of the tax for good,=20
and phase out the grandfather clause that allows=20
New Hampshire to collect about $12 million a=20
year. Sen Sununu says the permanent ban would=20
ensure that the Internet remains affordable and=20
continues to grow, which in turn promotes=20
business innovation and helps the economy. But=20
critics say the bill is too broad and could=20
eliminate revenue for state and local governments=20
as more services move to the Internet. They want=20
a temporary extension of the tax moratorium=20
instead. If the two sides can't come to an=20
agreement before Nov. 1, the ban will expire and=20
states could begin passing new taxes. The results=20
could be disastrous, leaders on both sides have said.
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=3D/20071014/BUSI...
S/710140354/1265
* Don't create Internet-tax monster
Commentary from Barry M. Aarons, Institute for Policy Innovation
http://thehill.com/op-eds/dont-create-internet-tax-monster-2007-10-16.html
* The Web Grows Up
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Editorial staff]
[Commentary] A four-year extension on the=20
Internet tax ban is a more than fair deal for an=20
industry whose claim to special tax treatment is tenuous at best.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/15/AR200710...
1373.html
(requires registration)

THE POWER OF THE CLICK
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Bill McKibben, Middlebury College]
[Commentary] The Internet is a maturing=20
technology and people are figuring out how to use=20
it for more than gambling, shopping or looking at=20
the scantily clad. In politics, it has been a=20
fundraising tool, but some are trying to use it=20
to get candidates to answer voters' questions=20
before elections. In certain ways, it's a lousy=20
time to be coming of age -- those satellite=20
photos last month of the rapidly melting Arctic=20
ice cap foreshadowed a century that will be spent=20
trying to deal with the greatest threat to=20
stability that human civilization has ever=20
encountered. But the moment has also given us a=20
new set of tools for connection. The fight=20
against global warming requires all kinds of=20
technology -- solar panels and windmills, but also servers and routers.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-oe-mckibben16oct16,1...
33973.story?coll=3Dla-news-comment
(requires registration)

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS

PHONE COMPANIES QUIET ON US SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Peter Kaplan]
Major U.S. telephone carriers refused to answer=20
questions from the Democratic-led Congress about=20
their possible participation in President George=20
W. Bush's warrantless domestic spying program,=20
according to documents released by lawmakers on=20
Monday. At issue are reports that surfaced last=20
year that some big telephone companies allowed=20
the U.S. government access to millions of=20
telephone records for Bush's anti-terror efforts=20
following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the=20
United States. Officials from AT&T, Verizon=20
Communications and Qwest Communications=20
International told the House Commerce Committee=20
they could not discuss specifics about their=20
companies' roles in any such effort. The phone=20
companies said it would be illegal for them to=20
discuss the kind of program lawmakers were asking=20
about without permission from the Bush=20
administration. Democrats vowed to push the administration for answers.
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN1539292620071015
* Telecommunications Companies Respond to=20
Committee Inquiry into NSA Wiretapping Program Participation
"After reviewing the thoughtful responses of the=20
phone companies to our inquiries about the=20
Administration=92s NSA program, I am now convinced=20
that the Administration =AD as the sponsor of this=20
program and the party preventing the companies=20
from defending themselves =AD is the entity best=20
able to resolve the many outstanding issues,=94=20
said House Commerce Committee Chairman John=20
Dingell (D-MI). =93I look forward to meeting with=20
representatives of the Administration in short=20
order, and I am hopeful that they will be=20
forthcoming with the information Congress needs=20
to properly evaluate this program.=94
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110nr106.shtml
* Press release from House Telecom Subcommittee Chairman Markey (D-MA)
"The responses from these telecommunication=20
companies highlight the need for Congress to=20
continue pressing the Bush administration for=20
answers. The water is as murky as ever on this=20
issue and it=92s past time for the administration to come clean."
http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=3Dcom_content&task=3Dview&id=3D...
6&Itemid=3D141
* AT&T:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110-ltr.101207.TI.ATTrspto1002...
pdf
* Verizon:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110-ltr.101207.Verizonrspto100...
.pdf
* Verizon Says It Turned Over Data Without Court Orders
Verizon Communications, the nation's=20
second-largest telecom company, told=20
congressional investigators that it has provided=20
customers' telephone records to federal=20
authorities in emergency cases without court=20
orders hundreds of times since 2005. The company=20
said it does not determine the requests' legality=20
or necessity because to do so would slow efforts=20
to save lives in criminal investigations.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/15/AR200710...
1857.html
(requires registration)
* Qwest:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110-ltr.101207.TI.Qwestrspto10...
7.pdf
* Computer & Communications Industry Association
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110-ltr.101207.TI.CCIArspto100...
.pdf
* Electronic Frontier Foundation:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110-ltr.TI.101207.EFFrspto1002...
pdf
* Phone firms mum on spying
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-phone16oct16,1,203771...
tory?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business
* Phone Utilities Won't Give Details About Eavesdropping
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/16/washington/16nsa.html?ref=3Dtodayspaper
* Phone Companies Defend Aiding Government
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119249883088660212.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
e_one
(requires subscription)

APPROVE THE SHIELD LAW
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Editorial staff]
[Commentary] Today, the House is expected to=20
vote on a proposal that Speaker Nancy Pelosi=20
rightly calls "fundamental to our democracy and=20
fundamental to the security of our country." The=20
Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 would=20
require that federal courts join 33 states and=20
the District of Columbia in recognizing the right=20
of journalists to protect confidential sources.=20
The first order of business is to make the=20
federal government at least as protective of a=20
reporter's privilege as are states that have=20
passed shield laws. That calls for a "yes" vote=20
today -- preferably by a veto-proof margin.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-ed-shield16oct16,1,1...
155.story?coll=3Dla-news-comment
(requires registration)
* When reporters can't shield sources, the public loses out
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20071016/edit16.art.htm
* Press has enough protection
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20071016/oppose16.art.htm

TELECOM

VERIZON LETTER ON PRIVACY STIRS DEBATE
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Laura Holson]
Verizon Wireless, one of the nation=92s largest=20
cellphone carriers, has stirred up controversy=20
with a letter it sent to customers recently=20
telling them that it would begin sharing=20
information from their calling records with its=20
=93affiliates, agents and parent companies.=94=20
Verizon is seeking to share that information only=20
among Verizon divisions, so it can better sell=20
new products to existing customers. In the=20
mailing, Verizon gave customers 30 days to =93opt=20
out=94 if they did not want their information=20
shared. But analysts and consumer advocates=20
suggest the company may also be interested in=20
gathering information as it prepares to tailor=20
the advertising it displays on cellphone screens,=20
based on individual customer habits and=20
attributes. Mobile advertising is an untapped=20
source of revenue among mobile phone companies=20
looking to expand their businesses. The concern=20
about the mailing, which spread quickly online=20
and resulted in the company clarifying its=20
position late yesterday, points to the privacy=20
challenges facing communications companies as=20
they seek to deliver information and advertising directly to cellphone user=
s.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/16/business/16phone.html?ref=3Dtodayspaper
(requires registration)

QUICKLY

NOBEL IN ECONOMICS AND SPECTRUM AUCTIONS
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Steve Lohr]
Roger B. Myerson, a professor at the University=20
of Chicago, will share this year's Nobel prize in=20
Economics for theoretical research on the optimal=20
design of auctions. His work has served as=20
intellectual starting point for others in setting=20
up complex auctions like that used by the Federal=20
Communications Commission for selling radio=20
spectrum so that the government collects ample=20
funds but also reserves some of the spectrum for=20
public use and small businesses.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/16/business/16nobel.html?_r=3D1&ref=3Dtod...
paper&oref=3Dslogin
(requires registration)

NEA, PTA TO UNVEIL TV EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The PTA, the National Education Association and=20
the National Council of Women's Organizations,=20
among others, including some religious groups,=20
plan to steer parents to groups like the Parents=20
Television Council and Common Sense Media for=20
advice on what shows are appropriate family=20
viewing. The goal is not to condemn programing=20
they don't think is family-friendly, but to=20
"shine a light on the best stuff" that isn't=20
getting enough attention in an effort to "change=20
the quality of children=92s television in America."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6491509.html?rssid=3D193

FCC FINES NASHVILLE STATION FOR REPORTING VIOLATIONS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The Federal Communications Commission proposed=20
fining Meredith's WSMV-TV Nashville, Tenn.,=20
$10,000 for violating reporting requirements for=20
children's-programming information.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6491482.html?rssid=3D193

CONSUMERS WATCHING MORE TV ONLINE
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: R. Thomas Umstead]
Nearly 16% of American households who use the=20
Internet watch television broadcasts online,=20
according to a report released Monday by The=20
Conference Board and TNS. The Consumer Internet=20
Barometer survey says more than three out of five=20
online TV viewers cite personal convenience as=20
the major reason for watching TV broadcasts=20
online, while more than one-third choose online=20
viewing in order to avoid watching television=20
commercials. Other reasons sited include=20
portability and a preference for computer viewing.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6491414.html?rssid=3D196

CAGW SAYS GOVERNMENT SHOULD LEAVE THE TELECOM INDUSTRY ALONE
[SOURCE: Citizens Against Government Waste press release]
Last week, Citizens Against Government Waste=20
released a report addressing four controversial=20
telecommunications issues: cable a la carte=20
programming, the Internet tax moratorium, network=20
neutrality, and spectrum sales. The group's=20
conclusion: the government should refrain from=20
interfering with innovation and allowing the=20
private sector to provide the best value and=20
services for taxpayers and consumers.
http://www.cagw.org/site/News2?page=3DNewsArticle&id=3D11038
* Telecommunications: Pulling the Plug on Government Interference
http://www.cagw.org/site/DocServer/Telecom_Paper.pdf?docID=3D2741
--------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------