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May 2008


Expanding Broadband Access and Allocating Spectrum More Efficiently

Thursday, May 22, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Ronald Reagan Building
Atrium Ballroom
1300 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC

Featured Speaker
Larry Page
Google Co-Founder & President, Products

In Conversation with
Michael Calabrese
Director, Wireless Future Program
New America Foundation

With Google, Larry Page has gone a long way toward achieving the audacious goal he and co-founder Sergey Brin set for the company: "organize the world's information and make it universally accessible."

One of his current goals is equally ambitious: making the Internet itself accessible, anywhere and anytime, through pervasive and affordable wireless broadband networks. Page has helped lead Google's efforts over the past year to pry open both unused TV airwaves and closed cellular networks to promote wireless broadband competition and consumer choice.

In an interview-style discussion with New America's Michael Calabrese, Page will describe Google's strategy for expanding access to the Internet and allocating spectrum more efficiently -- and explain why opening the vacant TV channels for unlicensed access after next February's DTV transition is the most important thing the FCC can do this year to promote broadband deployment and tech sector innovation.

To RSVP for this event, click on the red button or go to the event page: http://www.newamerica.net/events/2008/google_unwired.

For questions, contact Liz Wu at wu@newamerica.net or (202) 986-2700 x315

http://www.newamerica.net/events/2008/google_unwired


Dorgan's Content Play

[Commentary] Even a cursory glance at today's media landscape reveals that a few companies do not determine what Americans see, hear and read every day. Americans have far more media choices than ever before, including ever-growing cable, satellite and Internet offerings. Increasingly, nontraditional outlets are making their presence felt. Cross-ownership bans also make little sense when newspapers are losing market share. Because ad dollars and eyeballs are migrating online – more than a third of Americans read news on the Web – traditional media properties are being sold off to invest in the new media frontier. Some 60% of Internet users download videos. YouTube alone uses more bandwidth today than the entire Internet did in 2000. Senator Dorgan's bill has 25 sponsors, including Senator Obama, and was voted out of committee last month. President Bush has promised a veto, and we hope he keeps that promise.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121063603460086723.html?mod=todays_us_op...
(requires subscription)

'Newsday' sale eases Tribune debt - for now

Tribune Co.'s $650 million sale of Newsday, announced Monday, is an important step toward alleviating its debt burden -- for this year. To get favorable tax treatment, Tribune will retain a 3% stake in a joint venture to be formed containing Newsday, as well as several related assets, including Newsday.com, some regional magazines and the free New York City daily newspaper amNewYork. Cablevision will hold the other 97%. Now, the Chicago company needs to move on its next big asset sales, including the Chicago Cubs baseball team and Wrigley Field, to meet its obligations to creditors looming in 2009. Tribune needs the cash it will raise in the sale. Last December, it bought out its public shareholders in an $8.2 billion deal orchestrated by real estate mogul Sam Zell, and now it's struggling to service that debt. Zell had originally hoped to keep Tribune's newspaper and broadcasting businesses intact, but had to consider options for Newsday, following a rapid drop in the newspaper business this year. Tribune now seems to be covered on a $650 million lump-sum debt payment coming due in December as well as other near-term obligations, but analysts say it needs to get moving on other asset sales to be in shape to deliver on a $750 million debt payment due in June 2009. Another option for Tribune would be selling its roughly 30% stake in Food Network back to E.W. Scripps, which owns the rest of the rapidly growing cable TV channel. Analysts estimate that stake could be worth well above $500 million.
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20080513/2b_newsday13.art.htm

FCC chairman pushes reform agenda amid congressional inquiry

Last month, in a conference room atop the Federal Communications Commission building that has become a gathering spot for journalists, Chairman Kevin Martin made what appeared to be a routine announcement. The agency, he stated matter-of-factly, would soon issue press releases outlining the tentative agenda of each monthly meeting three weeks in advance. The pronouncement may have sounded routine, but it wasn't. For decades, the agendas have been among the most closely guarded secrets at the commission, which regulates the trillion-dollar communications industry. The FCC formerly issued meeting advisories only seven days in advance, with regulatory items often mysteriously appearing or disappearing at the last moment. The agency still issues updated advisories a week in advance, with fewer surprises at the meetings. The announcement, and the press conference itself, were the direct result of pressure on Martin from the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which is conducting a months-long review of the FCC and its regulatory practices. Four days later, on April 28, an internal Energy and Commerce staff memo tightened the squeeze when it recommended holding oversight hearings in June, asserting, "The FCC process appears broken and most of the blame appears to rest with Chairman Martin." In an effort to tamp down such criticism, the chairman has instituted a series of unilateral moves designed to make the FCC more transparent. "I've tried to be responsive to individual concerns that people have raised about the public not being aware enough about some of the issues that were in front of us," Chairman Martin said. Reviews are mixed.
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0508/051208nj1.htm

Driver Cellphone Bans Questioned

As California gears up to start enforcing a law banning hand-held cellphone use by its millions of drivers, a new study casts doubt on whether such laws do much good in many situations. The study, from the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California, predicts that the state's hands-free requirement, which goes into effect July 1, will reduce traffic deaths in the state by 300 a year. But the institute -- which reached its conclusion by studying state-by-state traffic-fatality data, including data from a handful of states that already restrict cellphones on the road -- found a decrease in deaths only when people drove in adverse conditions, such as in rain, or on wet or icy roads.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121064495947187259.html?mod=todays_us_pe...
(requires subscription)

Benton's Communications-related Headlines For Tuesday May 13, 2008

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
Bond: White House seems flexible on immunity for telecoms over wiretaps

ELECTIONS & MEDIA
Is The Fat Lady Humming?

FCC REFORM
FCC chairman pushes reform agenda amid congressional inquiry

BROADCASTING
NAB to FCC: Reporting Requirement a Burden

MEDIA OWNERSHIP
Dorgan's Content Play
Big media slams proposal to roll back cross-ownership rule
Consumer Groups Push Issue on XM-Sirius
Cablevision Enlarges News Push with Newsday Buy
Analyst: Newsday Buy Should Clear DC Hurdles
'Newsday' sale eases Tribune debt - for now

SPECTRUM/WIRELESS
Legal troubles could threaten Sprint/Clearwire deal
EarthLink vs. City of Philadelphia
Driver Cellphone Bans Questioned

LABOR
Hollywood actors and studios clash over Internet clips

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS

BOND: WHITE HOUSE SEEMS FLEXIBLE ON IMMUNITY FOR TELECOMS OVER WIRETAPS
[SOURCE: The Hill, AUTHOR: Manu Raju]
The White House appears willing to compromise on=20
the issue of retroactive immunity for telephone=20
firms that joined the Bush administration=92s=20
wiretapping program, said Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO).=20
The fight over whether the phone companies that=20
helped in national security surveillance should=20
be given immunity from lawsuits has prevented=20
Republicans and Democrats from reaching an=20
agreement to overhaul the Foreign Intelligence=20
Surveillance Act (FISA). Sen Bond, Vice Chairman=20
of the Intelligence Committee, said the White=20
House seems willing to let the FISA court help=20
determine whether phone companies should be shielded from litigation.
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/bond-white-house-seems-flexible-on-i...
nity-for-telecoms-over-wiretaps-2008-05-12.html

ELECTIONS & MEDIA

IS THE FAT LADY HUMMING?
[SOURCE: Project for Excellence in Journalism, AUTHOR: Mark Jurkowitz]
In a campaign with more twists than a Twilight=20
Zone episode, the media all but officially=20
pronounced Sen Barack Obama (IL) the Democratic=20
nominee last week after he emerged with a big win=20
in North Carolina and a near-tie in Indiana.=20
There are only a handful of Democratic primary=20
contests left. And the consensus was that Sen=20
Hillary Clinton (NY) needed a stronger showing on=20
May 6 to change the increasingly=20
insurmountable-looking pledged delegate math=20
and/or the superdelegates who have been steadily=20
migrating to Sen Obama. Ironically, in the week=20
that calls for her to drop out grew louder, Sen=20
Clinton generated her highest level of coverage=20
this year. According to PEJ=92s Campaign Coverage=20
Index, she was a significant or dominant factor=20
in 70% of the campaign stories from May 5-11. Sen=20
Obama was a close second, at 67%. But at only=20
12%, Republican Sen John McCain (AZ) ended up=20
with his lowest level of coverage in 2008. One=20
other narrative also began to suggest itself last=20
week in the coverage. Even though Sen McCain has=20
been virtually relegated to the role of bystander=20
as the Democrats battled on, that may soon change.
http://www.journalism.org/node/11038

FCC REFORM

FCC CHAIRMAN PUSHES REFORM AGENDA AMID CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY
[SOURCE: National Journal, AUTHOR: David Hatch]
Last month, in a conference room atop the Federal=20
Communications Commission building that has=20
become a gathering spot for journalists, Chairman=20
Kevin Martin made what appeared to be a routine=20
announcement. The agency, he stated=20
matter-of-factly, would soon issue press releases=20
outlining the tentative agenda of each monthly=20
meeting three weeks in advance. The pronouncement=20
may have sounded routine, but it wasn't. For=20
decades, the agendas have been among the most=20
closely guarded secrets at the commission, which=20
regulates the trillion-dollar communications=20
industry. The FCC formerly issued meeting=20
advisories only seven days in advance, with=20
regulatory items often mysteriously appearing or=20
disappearing at the last moment. The agency still=20
issues updated advisories a week in advance, with=20
fewer surprises at the meetings. The=20
announcement, and the press conference itself,=20
were the direct result of pressure on Martin from=20
the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which is=20
conducting a months-long review of the FCC and=20
its regulatory practices. Four days later, on=20
April 28, an internal Energy and Commerce staff=20
memo tightened the squeeze when it recommended=20
holding oversight hearings in June, asserting,=20
"The FCC process appears broken and most of the=20
blame appears to rest with Chairman Martin." In=20
an effort to tamp down such criticism, the=20
chairman has instituted a series of unilateral=20
moves designed to make the FCC more transparent.=20
"I've tried to be responsive to individual=20
concerns that people have raised about the public=20
not being aware enough about some of the issues=20
that were in front of us," Chairman Martin said. Reviews are mixed.
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0508/051208nj1.htm

BROADCASTING

NAB TO FCC: REPORTING REQUIREMENT A BURDEN
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Commercial television broadcasters love to=20
provide loads of programming that addresses the=20
safety, cultural, educational, local civic and=20
public affairs needs of their communities. But,=20
oh, the paper work -- now that's a burden. The=20
National Association of Broadcasters told the=20
Federal Communications Commission its new=20
program-reporting requirement -- part of a=20
package of TV localism proposals -- would=20
increase the paperwork burden on stations by more=20
than 1,000%. It said stations would have to=20
devote an extra 21.5 hours per week to comply, or=20
more than 4 million hours per year [that is, if=20
you believe 21.5 x 52 equals 4 million -- but=20
that's Hollywood math, right?] The FCC wants=20
broadcasters to fill out a new disclosure form=20
that requires more detailed information on what=20
kind of programming it aired and why. The NAB=20
said such a burden would divert resources from=20
its mission to serve its communities. It also=20
said it would wind up being a larger burden than=20
the FCC's old program-ascertainment policy, scuttled in the deregulatory 19=
80s.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6560265.html?rssid=3D193
* NAB: FCC Understated New Disclosure Burden
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2008/05/12/daily.8/

MEDIA OWNERSHIP

DORGAN'S CONTENT PLAY
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Editorial staff]
[Commentary] Even a cursory glance at today's=20
media landscape reveals that a few companies do=20
not determine what Americans see, hear and read=20
every day. Americans have far more media choices=20
than ever before, including ever-growing cable,=20
satellite and Internet offerings. Increasingly,=20
nontraditional outlets are making their presence=20
felt. Cross-ownership bans also make little sense=20
when newspapers are losing market share. Because=20
ad dollars and eyeballs are migrating online =96=20
more than a third of Americans read news on the=20
Web =96 traditional media properties are being sold=20
off to invest in the new media frontier. Some 60%=20
of Internet users download videos. YouTube alone=20
uses more bandwidth today than the entire=20
Internet did in 2000. Senator Dorgan's bill has=20
25 sponsors, including Senator Obama, and was=20
voted out of committee last month. President Bush=20
has promised a veto, and we hope he keeps that promise.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121063603460086723.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
nion
(requires subscription)

BIG MEDIA SLAMS PROPOSAL TO ROLL BACK CROSS-OWNERSHIP RULE
[SOURCE: ars technica, AUTHOR: Matthew Lasar]
Rarely has one Federal Communications Commission=20
filing provoked as much ire as this. Thirteen=20
major broadcast and newspaper groups have filed=20
lengthy denunciations of a public interest=20
group's appeal to redo the FCC's recent=20
relaxation of its TV station/newspaper=20
cross-ownership ban. Their comments once again=20
expose the enormous divide between public opinion=20
and big media on this issue. Common Cause, the=20
Benton Foundation, the National Hispanic Media=20
Coalition, and three other groups opposes the=20
FCC's new media ownership rule outright. But the=20
groups knows that FCC Chair Kevin Martin's=20
Republican majority isn't going to rescind it.=20
They are instead asking the Commission to=20
eliminate the complex waiver rules the agency=20
added to their three-pronged merger criteria,=20
especially the "four factor" test. These new=20
provisions "provide no mechanism by which to hold=20
applicants accountable for promises made while=20
seeking waivers once their waivers are granted,"=20
the petitioners write. "If after receiving a=20
waiver, an applicant who promised to increase=20
local news or exercise independent news judgment=20
does not follow through," the Commission's Order=20
provides no way to undo the merger or discipline=20
the license holder. "The Commission should deny=20
the petition," insists CBS. "CBS has submitted=20
hundreds upon hundreds of pages of comments,=20
facts, and studies in this proceeding, all with=20
the goal of demonstrating that the FCC's=20
broadcast ownership scheme is woefully and=20
perilously out of sync with the realities of=20
today's media marketplace. To that end, we have=20
urged the Commission to deregulate all of its=20
media ownership rules." CBS, Clear Channel, Fox=20
Television, Gannett, Media General, the National=20
Association of Broadcasters, the Newspaper=20
Association of America, Tribune, and five other=20
parties are responding to a plucky March 24th=20
Petition for Reconsideration filed by Common Cause et al.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080512-big-media-slams-proposal-t...
oll-back-cross-ownership-rule.html

CONSUMER GROUPS PUSH ISSUE ON XM-SIRIUS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
As the Federal Communications Commission=20
continues to consider whether or not to allow XM=20
Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio, the=20
nation's two satellite-radio companies, to become=20
one, the Consumer Federation of America,=20
Consumers Union and Free Press, called the merger=20
a "roadmap to monopoly" and asked the FCC to=20
throw up its own roadblock after the Justice=20
Department gave the deal a green light. They=20
strongly opposed the merger. But if the FCC does=20
approve it, they said, it needs to make it clear=20
that it is not a precedent for other=20
media-ownership mergers, nor a roadmap for=20
others. The groups wrote the FCC outlining the=20
"fundamental flaws" in the DOJ decision, which=20
they said "abandons all of the most basic=20
principles of antitrust analysis," and how the=20
FCC should look at the deal differently. The FCC=20
already must look beyond simply competition=20
issues to include its impact more broadly on the public interest.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6560238.html?rssid=3D193

CABLEVISION ENLARGES NEWS PUSH WITH NEWSDAY BUY
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Robert Marich]
Cablevision Systems doubled up its news footprint=20
on Long Island in suburban New York by firming a=20
$650 million definitive agreement Monday to buy a=20
97% stake in local daily newspaper Newsday. The=20
suburban newspaper overlaps Cablevision systems=20
in Long Island and will provide editorial=20
resources that can help the company's News 12=20
news channels. In the buy, Cablevision -- the=20
nation=92s fifth-largest cable system-- will=20
acquire the stake in Newsday Media Group for $632=20
million from Tribune, which will retain a 3%=20
stake. Tribune -- which is selling assets to pay=20
down debt associated with its $8.2 billion sale=20
in December -- will also receive $18 million at=20
closing as prepaid rent from leases of property=20
used in the Newsday business, bringing the value=20
to $650 million. The deal is expected to be=20
structured as a joint venture for tax reasons.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6559829.html?rssid=3D193

ANALYST: NEWSDAY BUY SHOULD CLEAR DC HURDLES
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
Cablevision=92s $650 million purchase of Long=20
Island (NY) newspaper Newsday shouldn't face high=20
regulatory hurdles in Washington, according to=20
Stifel Nicolaus analyst Blair Levin. =93As best we=20
can determine, the Federal Communications=20
Commission would have no jurisdiction to directly=20
review the transaction because there do not=20
appear to be any communications licenses that=20
would have to be transferred and require=20
regulatory approval," he wrote to clients. The=20
FCC regulates common ownership of newspapers and=20
television or radio stations in the same local=20
market. The agency does not regulate the joint=20
ownership of cable systems and newspapers in the=20
same local market. In his client note, Levin said=20
that if the Justice Department reviews the deal,=20
Cablevision probably would not face a tough=20
ordeal. =93We do expect the deal to face some=20
antitrust scrutiny, presumably from the=20
Department of Justice, but because Cablevision=20
does not own newspapers, we believe the DOJ is=20
unlikely to give it a difficult review," Levin=20
said. Levin said that if Cablevision's control of=20
Newsday were to ignite a new round in the media=20
ownership debate, the cable operator would likely=20
come out ahead because Newsday would not end up=20
in the hands of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.,=20
owner of the Wall Street Journal, the New York=20
Post, and two TV stations in the New York market.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6559913.html?nid=3D4262

'NEWSDAY' SALES EASES TRIBUNE DEBT - FOR NOW
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: Seth Sutel]
Tribune Co.'s $650 million sale of Newsday,=20
announced Monday, is an important step toward=20
alleviating its debt burden -- for this year. To=20
get favorable tax treatment, Tribune will retain=20
a 3% stake in a joint venture to be formed=20
containing Newsday, as well as several related=20
assets, including Newsday.com, some regional=20
magazines and the free New York City daily=20
newspaper amNewYork. Cablevision will hold the=20
other 97%. Now, the Chicago company needs to move=20
on its next big asset sales, including the=20
Chicago Cubs baseball team and Wrigley Field, to=20
meet its obligations to creditors looming in=20
2009. Tribune needs the cash it will raise in the=20
sale. Last December, it bought out its public=20
shareholders in an $8.2 billion deal orchestrated=20
by real estate mogul Sam Zell, and now it's=20
struggling to service that debt. Zell had=20
originally hoped to keep Tribune's newspaper and=20
broadcasting businesses intact, but had to=20
consider options for Newsday, following a rapid=20
drop in the newspaper business this year. Tribune=20
now seems to be covered on a $650 million=20
lump-sum debt payment coming due in December as=20
well as other near-term obligations, but analysts=20
say it needs to get moving on other asset sales=20
to be in shape to deliver on a $750 million debt=20
payment due in June 2009. Another option for=20
Tribune would be selling its roughly 30% stake in=20
Food Network back to E.W. Scripps, which owns the=20
rest of the rapidly growing cable TV channel.=20
Analysts estimate that stake could be worth well above $500 million.
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20080513/2b_newsday13.art.htm

SPECTRUM/WIRELESS

LEGAL TROUBLES COULD THREATEN SPRINT/CLEARWIRE DEAL
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Marguerite Reardon]
Sprint Nextel's plan to spin off its WiMax=20
network and form a $14.5 billion joint venture=20
with Clearwire may have hit a speed bump. On=20
Monday iPCS, Sprint Nextel's largest affiliate,=20
said it will try to block the deal that was=20
announced last week. iPCS, which serves 640,600=20
subscribers in seven states, said three of its=20
subsidiaries have filed suit in Cook County=20
Circuit Court in Illinois against Sprint for=20
violating an exclusivity contract. iPCS , which=20
sells wireless services under the Sprint brand in=20
states like Illinois and Iowa, says it has the=20
exclusive right to sell services under the Sprint=20
brand in 81 markets. In its lawsuit, the company=20
says that the new Clearwire service would compete=20
against its iPCS's service, violating the=20
exclusivity contract it has had with Sprint since 1999.
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9942218-7.html?part=3Drss&subj=3Dnews&tag=
=3D2547-1_3-0-5

EARTHLINK VS CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
[SOURCE: BusinessWeek, AUTHOR: Olga Kharif]
Philadelphia=92s Wi-Fi project is in jeopardy. Over=20
the past year, Wi-Fi builder EarthLink has exited=20
a number of municipal Wi-Fi projects claiming=20
they were unprofitable. Now, it appears that the=20
company is preparing to exit its most ambitious=20
municipal Wi-Fi project: Philly. But the city=20
isn't about to let that happen without a fight.
http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/techbeat/archives/2008/05/earthli...
vs_ci.html?campaign_id=3Drss_blog_blogspotting
* Philly's Wi-Fi network in jeopardy (C|Net)
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9940374-7.html?tag=3Dcnetfd.mt
* The State of Philadelphia's Citywide Wi-Fi Network
http://www.wirelessphiladelphia.org/blog_detail.cfm/blog/64

DRIVER CELLPHONE BANS QUESTIONED
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Rebecca Buckman]
As California gears up to start enforcing a law=20
banning hand-held cellphone use by its millions=20
of drivers, a new study casts doubt on whether=20
such laws do much good in many situations. The=20
study, from the nonpartisan Public Policy=20
Institute of California, predicts that the=20
state's hands-free requirement, which goes into=20
effect July 1, will reduce traffic deaths in the=20
state by 300 a year. But the institute -- which=20
reached its conclusion by studying state-by-state=20
traffic-fatality data, including data from a=20
handful of states that already restrict=20
cellphones on the road -- found a decrease in=20
deaths only when people drove in adverse=20
conditions, such as in rain, or on wet or icy roads.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121064495947187259.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
sonal_journal
(requires subscription)

LABOR

HOLLYWOOD ACTORS AND STUDIOS CLASH OVER INTERNET CLIPS
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Steve Gorman]
Getting Hollywood actors paid for their smallest=20
performances -- video clips on the Internet -- is=20
shaping up as one their biggest sticking points=20
in stalemated contract negotiations with major=20
studios. Whether actors must give consent for=20
snippets of their film and TV work to be=20
displayed online, and how much they should earn=20
for them, was the No. 1 disputed issue cited by=20
the Screen Actors Guild after labor talks broke=20
down last Tuesday. Studios want to freely=20
distribute YouTube-style clips of old TV shows=20
and movies without seeking actors' permission and=20
pay them a flat fee rather than bargain on a=20
price with each performer individually. The=20
actors' union staunchly opposes that move.
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN1233346620080512
--------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Bond: White House seems flexible on immunity for telecoms over wiretaps

The White House appears willing to compromise on the issue of retroactive immunity for telephone firms that joined the Bush administration’s wiretapping program, said Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO). The fight over whether the phone companies that helped in national security surveillance should be given immunity from lawsuits has prevented Republicans and Democrats from reaching an agreement to overhaul the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Sen Bond, Vice Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, said the White House seems willing to let the FISA court help determine whether phone companies should be shielded from litigation.
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/bond-white-house-seems-flexible-on-i...

Is The Fat Lady Humming?

In a campaign with more twists than a Twilight Zone episode, the media all but officially pronounced Sen Barack Obama (IL) the Democratic nominee last week after he emerged with a big win in North Carolina and a near-tie in Indiana. There are only a handful of Democratic primary contests left. And the consensus was that Sen Hillary Clinton (NY) needed a stronger showing on May 6 to change the increasingly insurmountable-looking pledged delegate math and/or the superdelegates who have been steadily migrating to Sen Obama. Ironically, in the week that calls for her to drop out grew louder, Sen Clinton generated her highest level of coverage this year. According to PEJ’s Campaign Coverage Index, she was a significant or dominant factor in 70% of the campaign stories from May 5-11. Sen Obama was a close second, at 67%. But at only 12%, Republican Sen John McCain (AZ) ended up with his lowest level of coverage in 2008. One other narrative also began to suggest itself last week in the coverage. Even though Sen McCain has been virtually relegated to the role of bystander as the Democrats battled on, that may soon change.
http://www.journalism.org/node/11038

NAB to FCC: Reporting Requirement a Burden

Commercial television broadcasters love to provide loads of programming that addresses the safety, cultural, educational, local civic and public affairs needs of their communities. But, oh, the paper work -- now that's a burden. The National Association of Broadcasters told the Federal Communications Commission its new program-reporting requirement -- part of a package of TV localism proposals -- would increase the paperwork burden on stations by more than 1,000%. It said stations would have to devote an extra 21.5 hours per week to comply, or more than 4 million hours per year [that is, if you believe 21.5 x 52 equals 4 million -- but that's Hollywood math, right?] The FCC wants broadcasters to fill out a new disclosure form that requires more detailed information on what kind of programming it aired and why. The NAB said such a burden would divert resources from its mission to serve its communities. It also said it would wind up being a larger burden than the FCC's old program-ascertainment policy, scuttled in the deregulatory 1980s.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6560265.html?rssid=193

Big media slams proposal to roll back cross-ownership rule

Rarely has one Federal Communications Commission filing provoked as much ire as this. Thirteen major broadcast and newspaper groups have filed lengthy denunciations of a public interest group's appeal to redo the FCC's recent relaxation of its TV station/newspaper cross-ownership ban. Their comments once again expose the enormous divide between public opinion and big media on this issue. Common Cause, the Benton Foundation, the National Hispanic Media Coalition, and three other groups opposes the FCC's new media ownership rule outright. But the groups knows that FCC Chair Kevin Martin's Republican majority isn't going to rescind it. They are instead asking the Commission to eliminate the complex waiver rules the agency added to their three-pronged merger criteria, especially the "four factor" test. These new provisions "provide no mechanism by which to hold applicants accountable for promises made while seeking waivers once their waivers are granted," the petitioners write. "If after receiving a waiver, an applicant who promised to increase local news or exercise independent news judgment does not follow through," the Commission's Order provides no way to undo the merger or discipline the license holder. "The Commission should deny the petition," insists CBS. "CBS has submitted hundreds upon hundreds of pages of comments, facts, and studies in this proceeding, all with the goal of demonstrating that the FCC's broadcast ownership scheme is woefully and perilously out of sync with the realities of today's media marketplace. To that end, we have urged the Commission to deregulate all of its media ownership rules." CBS, Clear Channel, Fox Television, Gannett, Media General, the National Association of Broadcasters, the Newspaper Association of America, Tribune, and five other parties are responding to a plucky March 24th Petition for Reconsideration filed by Common Cause et al.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080512-big-media-slams-proposal-t...

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