December 2007

All five FCC Commissioners visit with the Senate=20
Commerce Committee today. See=20
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=3DHearings.Hearin...
earing_ID=3D1920

MEDIA OWNERSHIP
Copps and Adelstein Disappointed by Upcoming Media Ownership Vote
Consumer Groups State Their Case vs. Dec. 18 Vote
Diversity Group: FCC Must Settle Eligibility Issue
Minority Tax Certificates Poised for Return?
Zell hopeful Tribune deal closes Dec. 20
Teamsters To FCC: Not So Fast On Tribune TV Licenses
Harry Potter and the Media Moguls
Sirius and XM in antitrust doubts

CABLE/BROADCASTING
As new episodes fade, TV facing a long winter
Lobbying Group: FCC Should Tighten Oversight on Leased Access Rules
Barton: No Committee Support for Reregulating Cable
Kerry Offers To Broker Cable-NFL Deal -- No Takers
Satellite Continues to Take Share from Cable
NTIA, Federal Partners to Hold Converter-Box-Coupon Powwow

INTERNET/BROADBAND
Could broadband help the environment?
Save Internet freedom -- from regulation
Shift Away From Ad-Free Has a Price

POLICYMAKERS
FTC head asked to step aside in Google case
Barton Conducts a Serious Google Search

QUICKLY -- Newhouse School invites submissions=20
for 2008 Mirror Awards to recognize excellence in=20
media industry reporting; Foundation Testing=20
Potential of Philanthropy via Internet ; OMB=20
Offers an Easy Way to Follow the Money

MEDIA OWNERSHIP

COPPS AND ADELSTEIN DISAPPOINTED BY UPCOMING MEDIA OWNERSHIP VOTE
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission,=20
AUTHORS: Commissioners Copps and Adelstein]
We are deeply disappointed that the announced=20
agenda for the December 18 open meeting includes=20
media ownership. This is a huge mistake. The=20
FCC should have heeded the calls of Congress and=20
the American people to conduct a credible process=20
on an issue of this importance to our very=20
democracy. That means providing a meaningful=20
opportunity for public input, rather than the=20
callous disregard exhibited thus far - most=20
recently, the Chairman circulated a draft=20
decision on his proposal two weeks before public=20
comment was even due! And it means taking=20
meaningful action on minority and female=20
ownership and broadcast localism, rather than the=20
mish-mash of half-baked ideas currently before=20
us. We have been engaged in internal discussions=20
to try to get our processes back on track. We=20
wish those discussions had led to better=20
results. At this point, given the lateness of=20
the hour, we hope that either we can turn this=20
around internally, or that Congress can save the FCC from itself.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-278897A1.doc

CONSUMER GROUPS STATE THEIR CASE VS DEC 18 VOTE
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Free Press, the Consumer Federation of America=20
and Consumers Union filed comments on Federal=20
Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin's=20
media ownership proposal on Tuesday, but they did=20
so arguing that the Commission =93should offer a=20
further notice that explains, defines and defends=20
its new rule in a cogent and intellectually=20
consistent manner. Only then can such a rule be=20
expected to win the confidence of the public and=20
stand the tests of time and judicial scrutiny.=94=20
The groups complained that "nowhere in the record=20
does any commenter ever request, recommend, or=20
propose anything like what the chairman has=20
offered." They also said the proposal was vague=20
and needed a more formal and detailed=20
presentation, then vetting by the public, before=20
any vote. The chairman has said commenters have=20
had plenty of opportunity to weigh in on the ban=20
and allowing comment at each stage of the process=20
would unduly delay it. ["See you in court."]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6512279.html?rssid=3D193

DIVERSITY GROUP: FCC MUST SETTLE ELIGIBILITY ISSUE
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The Minority Media & Telecommunications Council,=20
representing Diversity and Competition=20
Supporters, told the Federal Communications=20
Commission to delay the effective date of=20
diversity initiatives, including many the MMTC=20
recommended, until it comes up with a definition=20
of who qualifies for the package. The diversity=20
proposals, scheduled to be voted on at the Dec.=20
18 meeting, are meant to benefit small=20
businesses, including minorities and women, but=20
coming up with a race-neutral classification that=20
will achieve that end has been easier said than=20
done. According to the MMTC, the FCC's Diversity=20
Committee met this week and formulated a plan for=20
a "full file" review of eligible applicants that=20
would take into account "the sizes and types of=20
transactions for which various eligible entities=20
could qualify, the persons who would evaluate=20
applications, a pre-qualification option to=20
facilitate transactional planning and the=20
program=92s adherence to constitutional=20
expectations." The committee would create a=20
subcommittee to oversee the process and seek=20
outside experts. "If the commission is otherwise=20
ready to vote now on a package of substantive=20
minority-ownership proposals," said David Honig,=20
counsel to DCS, "it should make those proposals=92=20
effective date the day the commission acts on a=20
recommendation from the Diversity Committee for a=20
full file review procedure (or, if the Diversity=20
Committee is unable to develop such a procedure,=20
such other recommendation that the committee may=20
present). In this way, the commission would not=20
need to delay its plan to approve a package of=20
minority ownership proposals next week."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6512269.html?rssid=3D193

MINORITY TAX CERTIFICATES POISED FOR RETURN?
[SOURCE: tvnewsday, AUTHOR: Kim McAvoy]
From nearly 20 years, from 1978 to 1995, the=20
minority tax certificate was the most popular and=20
effective tool for increasing the ranks of=20
minority TV and radio station owners. But the=20
certificate may have been too much of a good=20
thing. Some of the minority buyers turned out to=20
be fronts for non-minorities, and the amounts of=20
the deferred taxes start running into some=20
serious money. In 1995, Viacom announced that it=20
was selling its cable systems to an investment=20
group headed by Frank Washington for $2.3 billion=20
and that, because Washington was black, it would=20
defer as much as $400 million using the tax=20
certificate, even though Washington had only a=20
small amount of his own money in the deal. Such=20
excesses coupled with a new Republican majority=20
in Congress skeptical of race-based programs led=20
to Congress killing the certificate in 1995. Now,=20
with Democrats back in control of Congress and=20
broadcasters seeing increased minority and female=20
ownership as a pre-condition of relaxing=20
broadcast ownership rules, there is renewed hope=20
and interest in resurrecting the tax certificate=20
on Capitol Hill. The program was a =93win-win for=20
both sides and we need to reinstitute that,=94 says=20
Henry Rivera, chairman of the Minority Media and=20
telecommunications Council and chairman and of=20
the FCC=92s Advisory Committee on Diversity for=20
Communications in the Digital Age.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/12/12/daily.1/

ZELL HOPEFUL TRIBUNE DEAL CLOSES DEC 20
[SOURCE: Chicago Tribune, AUTHOR: Michael Oneal and Phil Rosenthal]
Chicago billionaire Sam Zell is hopeful that the=20
$8.2 billion deal he's leading to take Tribune=20
Co. private will close Dec. 20. Responding to a=20
question at the Executives' Club of Chicago=20
luncheon Wednesday about whether there was news=20
about the Tribune deal, Zell responded by saying:=20
"Hopefully it will close next Thursday." "The=20
assets are truly extraordinary and we have a=20
great opportunity to make a serious difference,"=20
Zell said at the luncheon. Zell and Tribune are=20
hoping to close the deal before the end of the=20
year to avoid a number of costs that would make=20
the transaction more risky and complicated.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-071212zell,0,4710295.story?tr...
=3Drss

TEAMSTERS TO FCC: NOT SO FAST ON TRIBUNE TV LICENSES
[SOURCE: Editor&Publisher]
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters on=20
Tuesday asked the Federal Communications=20
Commission (FCC) to reconsider its decision to=20
grant Tribune Co. waivers from cross-ownership=20
rule that the Chicago media giant needs to go=20
private by the end of the year. Teamsters=20
represent about 2,000 employees across the=20
company, and have been staunch opponents of=20
Chicago real estate magnate Sam Zell's $8.2=20
billion deal to take Tribune private using an=20
employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). The=20
Teamsters in its filing argues the buyout=20
structure violates an FCC requirement that=20
stations be controlled by their owners -- "and=20
not by Sam Zell, a trust established for the=20
benefit of members of his family, and a=20
pre-selected ESOP trustee." That represents=20
"third party" ownership, "and undermines the=20
public interest and the FCC's mission of=20
promoting localism and diversity." As the deal is=20
structured, ownership of Tribune will be=20
transferred to an ESOP, which will be controlled=20
by the board of directors and a trustee. The=20
Teamsters maintain employees will have no=20
significant say in management of the company.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003684668

HARRY POTTER AND THE MEDIA MOGULS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Potterwatch paint Federal Communications=20
Commission Chairman Kevin Martin as the agent=20
of "a Voldemedia, controlled by the few." The=20
site urges Harry Potter fans to contact their=20
legislators and support a bill, being spearheaded=20
by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND), which would block a=20
Dec. 18 vote on Martin's proposal to loosen the=20
ban on newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6512461.html

SIRIUS AND XM IN ANTITRUST DOUBTS
[SOURCE: Financial Times, AUTHOR: James Politi and Stephanie Kirchgaessner]
Sirius and XM, the top two US satellite radio=20
providers, on Wednesday faced growing doubts over=20
their ability to secure antitrust clearance for a=20
$13bn merger announ=ADced in February. House=20
Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI)=20
sent a letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey=20
asking him to get personally involved in the=20
Department of Justice's review of the deal.=20
Chairman Conyers said in a letter to Mr Mukasey=20
that he had not taken a position on the merger,=20
but that he was dismayed by recent reports that=20
antitrust chief Thomas Barnett may be intending=20
to approve the merger against the objections of DoJ staff
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/c3bde43c-a912-11dc-ad9e-0000779fd2ac.html
(requires subscription)

CABLE/BROADCASTING

AS NEW EPISODES FADE, TV FACING A LONG WINTER
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: Gary Levin]
A writers' strike that has slowed the flow of new=20
TV shows is threatening to linger well into next=20
year =97 and force more lasting changes in=20
Hollywood that determine what we watch and when,=20
at home and in theaters. If the Writers Guild of=20
America strike isn't settled by early in the new=20
year, the absence of new scripts will narrow the=20
pipeline of movies headed to theaters starting in=20
late 2008. For the top broadcast networks, the=20
impact would be more immediate: The rest of this=20
TV season could be a virtual washout, cluttered=20
with reality shows and repeats as the networks=20
run out of fresh episodes of sitcoms and dramas.=20
The development of new shows for next season=20
already has come to a standstill, jeopardizing=20
the calendars for networks' lucrative ad-selling=20
ritual in the spring and their traditional=20
rollout of new shows in September. Meanwhile, a=20
wide swath of the entertainment business in=20
Hollywood and beyond is =97 or soon will be =97=20
unemployed, with tens of thousands of makeup=20
artists, truck drivers and others caught in the strike's crossfire.
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20071213/1a_cover13.art.htm

LOBBYING GROUP: FCC SHOULD TIGHTEN OVERSIGHT ON LEASED ACCESS RULES
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Charlie Stogner, head of the Leased Access=20
Programmers Association, has been lobbying the=20
Federal Communications Commission for years to=20
tighten its oversight and enforcement of leased=20
access rules. The commission last month voted to=20
do just that, and lower rates as well. But with=20
no order to go on, Stogner remains concerned=20
about Media Bureau follow-through and cable=20
market power. He sent a letter to the Senate=20
Commerce Committee saying "the Media Bureau=20
rather than assist [leased access programmers] in=20
continuing to have local channels, appears to=20
always defend the cable giants' action."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6512496.html

BARTON: NO COMMITTEE SUPPORT FOR REREGULATING CABLE
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Former House Commerce Committee Chairman Joe=20
Barton (R-TX) said he doesn't think anybody on=20
the committee is interested in reregulating=20
cable, and that while he respects Federal=20
Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin's=20
intellect, he called him "somewhat inconsistent=20
in applying conservative principles to the FCC."=20
His evidence of the latter, he said, is Martin's=20
desire to relax newspaper-broadcast=20
cross-ownership while at the same time=20
"apparently" wanting to reregulate cable. Rep=20
Barton recently replaced Fred Upton (R-Mich.) as=20
the ranking member of the Subcommittee on=20
Telecommunications & Internet Subcommittee. He=20
told C-SPAN Upton asked for a new post as ranking=20
member on the Energy and Air Quality=20
Subcommittee. He added that the move had nothing=20
to do with the fact that a letter he had sent to=20
Martin regarding cable regulation was signed by=20
23 of the 26 Republicans but did not include Upton's signature.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6512452.html?rssid=3D193
* Barton Puts Out Mixed Signals About Martin
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6512543.html?rssid=3D196

KERRY OFFERS TO BROKER CABLE-NFL DEAL
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) wants to meet next week=20
in person with officials from the National=20
Football League, Comcast and Time Warner Cable to=20
broker a deal designed to ensure that millions of=20
fans get to witness on cable TV whether the New=20
England Patriots can complete their regular=20
season undefeated. The NFL claims the Comcast and=20
Time Warner, by refusing to carry the NFL Network=20
on a widely viewed programming tier, are denying=20
consumers access to some of the most popular=20
programming on TV. The cable companies, on the=20
other hand, insist the NFL is demanding too much=20
money and that only die-hard NFL loyalists should=20
bear the cost, not everyone with a cable subscription.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6512431.html?rssid=3D196
* Kerry Wants To Huddle With NFL, Cable Ops
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6512467.html?rssid=3D193
* Comcast to Kerry: We Already Have NFL Network Carriage Deal
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6512538.html?rssid=3D193
* NFL to Kerry: Not Interested in One-Game Fix
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6512533.html?rssid=3D193

SATELLITE CONTINUES TO TAKE SHARE FROM CABLE
[SOURCE: tvnewsday]
TVB analysis of Nielsen data finds a majority of=20
households in 15 television markets are receiving=20
their TV signals through alternate delivery=20
system (ADS) like satellite -- and cable=20
penetration continues to fall. According to=20
Nielsen NTI data, national ADS penetration=20
reached 28 percent of television households in=20
November 2007, up from 24.5 percent in November=20
2006, and now represents 31.6 percent of=20
subscription television customers (those paying=20
for video delivery). Over the same period,=20
national wired-cable penetration of television=20
households fell from 62.1 percent to 61.3=20
percent=97the last time wired cable was lower was in February 1990.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/12/12/daily.7/
* Wired Cable Continues to Lose Share to Satellite
http://www.tvb.org/nav/build_frameset.asp?url=3D/selling/Competitive_Lan...
ape/Case_Against_Cable/CL_ADS_Satellite_Cable.asp

NTIA, FEDERAL PARTNERS TO HOLD CONVERTER-BOX-COUPON POWWOW
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The National Telecommunications & Information=20
Administration will get together with its federal=20
partners in the digital-TV-to-analog=20
converter-box-coupon program for a Jan. 24=20
meeting at the U.S. Department of Commerce. The=20
hour-and-a-half meeting will come some three=20
weeks after viewers can begin applying for the=20
coupons. It also comes after criticisms in a=20
much-touted Government Accountability Office=20
study saying that there was not sufficient=20
coordination or any single coordinating entity=20
for the transition and the DTV-education=20
campaign. According to an NTIA source, the=20
meeting is meant to provide more than one-dozen=20
federal agencies -- including the NTIA's=20
principal partner, the Federal Communications=20
Commission -- with a preview of the=20
converter-box-program promotional materials=20
available to them, as well as providing an=20
opportunity to share its timeline of planned=20
activities, which include a Feb. 17 kickoff for=20
the issuing of the coupons, as well as getting=20
feedback from them on how the NTIA could=20
"leverage existing communications vehicles to=20
reach our target populations," which include the=20
rural, poor, elderly, physically challenged and minority populations.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6512531.html?rssid=3D193

INTERNET/BROADBAND

COULD BROADBAND HELP THE ENVIRONMENT?
[SOURCE: Pew Internet & American Life Project, AUTHOR: Jessica Vitak]
In "Broadband Services: Economic and=20
Environmental Benefits", the American Consumer=20
Institute (ACI) suggests that if broadband=20
adoption became widespread, there could be a=20
significant reduction in greenhouse gas=20
emissions, equaling 1 billion tons over the=20
course of 10 years. Australian telecommunications=20
company Telstra also released a recent report=20
suggesting that its country could reduce=20
emissions by nearly 5% by the year 2015 if it=20
takes advantage of new telecommunication technologies.
http://www.pewinternet.org/pipcomments.asp?r=3D1228

SAVE INTERNET FREEDOM -- FROM REGULATION
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Larry Downes]
[Commentary] The Internet has thrived in large=20
part because it has managed to sidestep a barrage=20
of efforts to regulate it, including laws to ban=20
indecent material, levy sales tax on e-commerce,=20
require Web sites to provide "zoning" tags, and=20
to criminalize spam, file sharing, and spyware.=20
Some of these laws have been overturned by the=20
courts; some died before being passed; and the=20
rest--well, the rest are effectively ignored,=20
thanks to the Internet's remarkable ability (so=20
far) to treat regulation as a network failure and=20
reroute around the problem. The problem with=20
"simple" regulations is that they never=20
are--especially when the industry being=20
regulated, thanks to new technologies, is=20
evolving rapidly. Good infrastructure management=20
establishes the rules for a competitive market,=20
and then stands back to let buyers and sellers=20
bargain toward the most valuable use of assets.=20
We need that helpful kind of government=20
intervention, not a stake in the heart of a=20
thriving and rapidly evolving infrastructure.=20
Let's preserve Internet freedom -- freedom from regulation, that is.
http://www.news.com/Save-Internet-freedom-from-regulation/2010-1028_3-62...
85.html?tag=3Dnefd.top

SHIFT AWAY FROM AD-FREE HAS A PRICE
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Stephanie Story]
The Webkinz site began running movie ads on its=20
site in October, with ads for =93Bee Movie=94 and=20
later for =93Alvin and the Chipmunks.=94 The ads run=20
on the right side of the home page after users=20
log in. The Campaign for a Commercial-Free=20
Childhood, an advocacy group based in Boston, is=20
demanding that the site remove the ads. =93One of=20
the reasons why parents buy Webkinz for their=20
children is the expectation that the site will be=20
free from advertising,=94 said Susan Linn, the=20
campaign=92s director. =93It=92s disappointing that the=20
site is choosing to maximize revenue at the expense of children.=94
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/13/business/media/13adco.html?ref=3Dtoday...
per
(requires registration)

POLICYMAKERS

FTC HEAD ASKED TO STEP ASIDE IN GOOGLE CASE
[SOURCE: Associated Press]
The Electronic Privacy Information Center and the=20
Center for Digital Democracy have asked Federal=20
Trade Commission Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras=20
to recuse herself from an antitrust review of=20
Google's $3.1 billion purchase of DoubleClick.=20
Her husband, John Majoras, is a partner who=20
specializes in antitrust at the Jones Day law=20
firm representing DoubleClick. She "is reviewing=20
the petition with the chief ethics officer,"=20
Claudia Bourne Farrell, an FTC spokeswoman, said.=20
"We only learned yesterday that Jones Day is=20
representing DoubleClick before the European=20
Commission, not the Federal Trade Commission.=20
Jones Day has not appeared before the FTC in this=20
matter." John Majoras said that Jones Day is not=20
representing DoubleClick before the FTC. He said=20
he is not personally involved in any aspect of=20
the deal, in the United States or in Europe.=20
Chairman Majoras has recused herself in other=20
antitrust reviews when Jones Day has been=20
involved, the petition contended. The FTC=20
decision on the acquisition by the world's=20
largest Internet search engine company had been expected as early as next w=
eek.
http://www.siliconvalley.com/latestheadlines/ci_7708678
* Sources: FTC gets more time to review Google-DoubleClick deal
Antitrust regulators with the Federal Trade=20
Commission have received an extension to review=20
the controversial $3.1 billion Google-DoubleClick=20
megamerger, according to sources. The FTC faced a=20
Thursday deadline to either challenge the deal or=20
allow it to go through. But the commission is now=20
expected to stay quiet for at least several more=20
days as it continues to study the impact of the=20
proposed merger on competition and consumers. A decision Thursday is unlike=
ly.
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9833124-7.html?tag=3Dnefd.top

BARTON CONDUCTS A SERIOUS GOOGLE SEARCH
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
House Privacy Caucus founder Rep Joe Barton=20
(R-Texas) is feeling dissed by the folks at=20
Google and wants some answers to questions he has=20
about the merger of that company and DoubleClick.=20
Rep Barton is concerned about the "intentional=20
collection and coordination" of personal data. In=20
a letter to Google chairman Eric Schmidt=20
Wednesday, Barton said that at a Nov. 6 meeting,=20
Schmidt "graciously offered assistance to my=20
staff to learn about your company=92s and the=20
broader industry=92s current search and=20
targeted-advertising practices." But, he added,=20
=93Subsequently, attempts to send staffers on a=20
fact-finding mission had been rebuffed on=20
numerous occasions =85 Your warm initial=20
invitation, followed by Google=92s chilly response=20
to a proposed visit by committee counsels, is=20
disconcerting." Google was baffled by the letter.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6512324.html?rssid=3D193

QUICKLY

NEWHOUSE INVITES 2008 MIRROR AWARDS SUBMISSION
[SOURCE: Syracuse University, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications]
In 2006, Syracuse University=92s S.I. Newhouse=20
School of Public Communications established the=20
Mirror Awards to recognize excellence in media=20
industry reporting. The 2007 Mirror Awards, the=20
first awards of their kind, were presented at a=20
luncheon on June 14 at the W New York with NBC=92s=20
=93Today=94 co-anchor Meredith Vieira serving as=20
mistress of ceremonies. The school is now=20
inviting submissions for the second annual Mirror=20
Awards. The deadline for 2008 Mirror Award=20
entries is no later than midnight on Feb. 15,=20
2008. Complete information, including an=20
application and entry guidelines, is available on the Mirror Awards website.
http://mirrorawards.syr.edu

FOUNDATION TESTING POTENTIAL OF PHILANTHROPY VIA INTERNET
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Stephanie Strom]
The Case Foundation is embarking on an effort to=20
test the potential of citizen-led philanthropy=20
via the Internet. Starting at 3 p.m. on Thursday,=20
readers of Parade magazine and members of the=20
Causes section of the Facebook Web site can enter=20
a contest to win a total of $500,000 and=20
$250,000, for their favorite charities, provided=20
by Case. The prizes will go to the charities and=20
causes that attract the greatest numbers of=20
unique donors, rather than the one that raises=20
the most money. =93Philanthropy shouldn=92t be=20
defined as a bunch of rich people writing big=20
checks,=94 said Jean Case, who founded the Case=20
Foundation with her husband, Steve, founder of=20
America Online. =93Small amounts of money given by=20
large numbers of individuals can be combined to do great things.=94
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/13/us/13foundation.html?ref=3Dtodayspaper
(requires registration)
* Twin Efforts Aim to Popularize Online Giving
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/12/AR200712...
2505.html
(requires registration)

OMB OFFERS AN EASY WAY TO FOLLOW THE MONEY
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Elizabeth Williamson]
Today, the White House budget office officially=20
launches USASpending.gov, a Web site that shows=20
taxpayers where their dollars go and which=20
legislators, contractors and regions get the=20
most. USASpending allows users to search by=20
contracts and grants, contractor names,=20
congressional districts and lawmakers. The data=20
can be easily downloaded and used. A "wiki"=20
function gives users a chance to suggest changes=20
and add information. Charts and rankings show to=20
whom and where the bulk of federal dollars go.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/12/AR200712...
2701.html
(requires registration)
--------------------------------------------------------------
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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