March 2013

BENTON'S COMMUNICATIONS-RELATED HEADLINES for TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

FCC Oversight on today’s agenda (see preview) http://benton.org/calendar/2013-03-12/

CYBERSECURITY
   Commerce officials call on Congress to pass cybersecurity legislation
   In cyberwarfare, rules of engagement still hard to define
   White House demands China stop hacking into US companies
   NIST Trying to Drum Up Cyber Standards Support
   How Many Cyberattacks Hit the United States Last Year?
   The US is not ready for a cyberwar - editorial
   Cyberattacks: The complexities of attacking back

INTERNET/BROADBAND
   FCC's McDowell: 'We Are Losing the Fight for Internet Freedom'
   Moving from an age of Internet scarcity to abundance - op-ed
   Tim Berners-Lee on the making of new worlds [links to web]

WIRELESS/SPECTRUM
   Supporting Innovative Approaches to Spectrum Sharing - press release
   FCC May Clear T-Mobile-PCS Deal Without Vote, Union Says
   Commotion Wireless: Free and Open Way to Network
   The Federal Government’s Mobility Plan Could Reshape the Industry - analysis [links to web]
   Report: AT&T bests Verizon in raw 4G speed but still lags in LTE coverage [links to web]
   Preventing Harmful Interference to Satellite Systems - press release [links to web]
   Meet the New Mobile Workers [links to web]

VIDEO/AUDIO
   FCC: For Now, OVDS Don't Have to Show Comparables to Comcast [links to web]
   Zero-TV Doesn’t Mean Zero Video - research [links to web]
   Watching a Video on Your Phone? You’re Probably Using an iPhone, Not an Android. [links to web]
   Rupert Murdoch Goes All-In on College Sports [links to web]
   Millennials Want TV—And Accept Ads: Study [links to web]

CONTENT
   On Facebook, you are what you 'like,' scientific study says
   After Newtown, video game industry starts education campaign [links to web]
   “Finding out who your real friends are”: How David Carr views paid content [links to web]
   Newspapers Remain Top Sports Source For Men [links to web]

PRIVACY
   Harvard Explains Why Staff E-Mails Were Searched [links to web]

EDUCATION
   Wireline Competition Bureau Announces E-Rate Inflation-Based CAP for Funding Year 2013 - public notice [links to web]
   Districts Forge School-to-Home Digital Connections [links to web]
   Seven steps to success with mobile learning [links to web]

TELECOM
   Kansas Senate to debate AT&T bill that loosens regulations on phone providers
   Emergency Access Advisory Committee Report on TTY Transition - research [links to web]

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
   Tech-savvy Newark Mayor Booker: Government flunking social media [links to web]

POLICYMAKERS
   Who will replace Julius Genachowski as FCC chair?
   Appointment of Members to the Re-Chartered FCC Diversity Committee - public notice

STORIES FROM ABROAD
   Mexican Leaders Propose a Telecom Overhaul
   Australia’s new media law irks News Corp
   Progress on UK press regulation elusive
   To China's Censors, With Love - editorial [links to web]
   Venezuelan Media Sale Elicits Worries

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CYBERSECURITY

CALL FOR CYBERSECURITY BILL
[SOURCE: The Hill, AUTHOR: Jennifer Martinez]
Commerce Department officials stressed that Congress needs to pass cybersecurity legislation that incentivizes companies to boost the security of their computer systems and networks, adding that the executive branch cannot grant that power. "Tax incentives, liability protections— those are things that the president can't wave a magic wand and make happen," said Ari Schwartz, senior policy advisor to the Secretary of Commerce, at a briefing about the executive order hosted by law firm Venable. "Congress needs to pass those things." The officials acknowledged that it will be "a challenge" to put together a cybersecurity framework over the next eight months that can apply across various sectors of U.S. critical infrastructure—such as water systems, electric companies and banking systems—and businesses that vary in size. They also repeated the administration's call for industry to help with the implementation of the order.
benton.org/node/147582 | Hill, The
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CYBERWARFARE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Ellen Nakashima]
When Gen. Keith Alexander, the head of the Pentagon’s Cyber Command, goes to the Hill on March 12, he will probably be asked to describe his plans for building a military force to defend the nation against cyberattacks. But one question remains unclear: Under what circumstances will these cyberwarriors be used? President Barack Obama last fall signed a classified directive that requires an “imminent” or ongoing threat of an attack that could result in death or damage to national security before a military cyber-action can be taken to thwart it. But the definition of “imminent” is, like the definition of an “act of war,” subjective and dependent upon circumstances. A century ago, when one nation’s army massed at another’s border, imminence was clearer. An attack seemed about to happen. Most acknowledged the threatened nation had a right to defend itself. But today, technology and terrorism have confused the application of old rules. In cyberspace, where attacks can launch in milliseconds, a nation might not have enough time to detect an attack and mount a defense.
benton.org/node/147550 | Washington Post
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US VS CHINA ON CYBERSECURITY
[SOURCE: The Hill, AUTHOR: Brendan Sasso]
Tom Donilon, the president's national security adviser, urged China to stop hackers from breaking into U.S. computer systems and stealing business secrets. "The international community cannot afford to tolerate such activity from any country," he said. Officials have urged China to recognize the "urgency and scope" of the problem and to take "serious steps" to stop the hackers. He said the Chinese government should engage in a dialogue to establish acceptable rules of behavior in cyberspace. "From the President on down, this has become a key point of concern and discussion with China at all levels of our governments," Donilon said. He said cybersecurity is becoming a "growing challenge" to the economic relationship between the United States and China. Donilon did not directly accuse the Chinese government of launching the attacks on U.S. computer systems, only noting that the attacks are coming from inside the country. "Increasingly, U.S. businesses are speaking out about their serious concerns about sophisticated, targeted theft of confidential business information and proprietary technologies through cyber intrusions emanating from China on an unprecedented scale," he said.
benton.org/node/147581 | Hill, The | Reuters
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NIST TRYING TO DRUM UP CYBER STANDARDS SUPPORT
[SOURCE: nextgov, AUTHOR: Aliya Sternstein]
The National Institute of Standards and Technology has started visiting businesses to rally support for a nationwide cybersecurity program called for by a February executive order. The Feb. 12 mandate directed NIST, a Commerce Department agency, to develop standard guidelines for protecting computer operations in key sectors. On March 11, at an industry briefing organized by law firm Venable LLP, government officials stressed the guidelines will not be performance standards. The protections, however, would become mandatory for certain companies under a White House legislative proposal, so the order has raised questions among lobbying groups. A draft “cybersecurity framework” – the official term for the voluntary regulations -- is expected to be released by November, said Ari Schwartz, a Commerce senior policy adviser. NIST has published a formal notice requesting input from businesses and scheduled a brainstorming workshop for April 3 in Gaithersburg (MD). Future meetings to solicit feedback will not all be held in the suburbs, Adam Sedgewick, NIST senior information technology policy advisor, assured the audience, which was watching remotely via Webcast and at Venable's Washington office.
benton.org/node/147580 | nextgov
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HOW MANY CYBERATTACKS HIT THE UNITED STATES LAST YEAR?
[SOURCE: National Journal, AUTHOR: Brian Fung]
Thanks to the warnings of senior lawmakers and Obama administration officials, Americans are growing more aware of online vulnerabilities that could lead to a “cyber Pearl Harbor” attack. By definition, such a catastrophe would be extraordinarily rare, its chances perhaps no more than one in a ... what, exactly? It’s hard to talk about odds when the pool of minor cyberincidents is growing larger every day. Depending on when it arrives, the first major cybervent against the United States could be a one-in-2 million incident or a one-in-10-trillion incident. But noise from garden-variety hacks shouldn't just be ignored in a broader search for the next 9/11. Understanding those day-to-day online skirmishes can help reveal the scale of the broader problem. The Homeland Security Department runs a national clearinghouse of cyberthreat information known as the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team, or US-CERT. Part of its job is to track cyberincidents, which DHS defines as violations of an organization’s security policy. That could include unauthorized attempts to access a network, DDoS attacks, or other nasty behavior.
benton.org/node/147535 | National Journal
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NOT READY FOR CYBERWAR
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Editorial staff]
[Commentary] A recent report by a task force of the Defense Science Board on cyber-conflict makes clear that all is not well in preparing for this new domain of warfare. What would cyberwar be like? Potentially, “hundreds” of simultaneous, synchronized offensive and defensive cyber operations would be needed, and yet the task force found the U.S. military is not ready. A task force said it “could find no evidence of modeling or experimentation being undertaken to better understand the large-scale cyber war.” In a recommendation that underscores the larger direction of U.S. policy, the task force declared, “time is of the essence in developing a broader offensive cyber capability.” Will there be public sacrifices or costs — say, a regional electric-grid blackout or a stock-exchange crash? Who decides whether to launch an offensive cyberattack? Under what conditions? These are the type of questions that the administration and Congress ought to be talking about with the American people. We ought not wait until a disaster has arrived to address the policy implications of cyberwar.
benton.org/node/147601 | Washington Post
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ATTACKING BACK
[SOURCE: Politico, AUTHOR: Tony Romm]
As digital malefactors continue raiding U.S. businesses for their most valuable corporate secrets, some in Washington are wondering whether companies should test the limits and cyberattack their cyberattackers. The private sector already can police its own computers and networks, but an uptick in serious intrusions from China and elsewhere is catalyzing a market for tools that might deceive or disrupt hackers and spies — a controversial development that has important limits under federal law. “I think it’s pretty obvious companies should [be] able to detect what’s coming into their network, block it, monitor it, fix it, remediate it, mitigate it,” said Michael Chertoff, former secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and now a leader of the Chertoff Group, which consults clients on cyberissues. “Where we’re getting into controversy is the idea that when you think you’ve detected a server that’s launched an attack, to go and attack back, and either recover your data or take down the server. It’s a very risky thing to do, and it needs to be carefully considered.” The idea is known as “active defense” to some, “strike-back” capability to others and “counter measures” to still more experts in the burgeoning cybersecurity field. Whatever the name, the idea is this: Don’t just erect walls to prevent cyberattacks, make it more difficult for hackers to climb into your systems — and pursue aggressively those who do. It’s a controversial strategy, partly because of the potential legal and political implications.
benton.org/node/147600 | Politico
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INTERNET/BROADBAND

INTERNET FREEDOM FIGHT
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Federal Communications Commission member Robert McDowell plans to tell Congress that aggressive action is needed to stem that tide. "We are losing the fight for Internet freedom," Commissioner McDowell plans to tell members of the Senate Commerce Committee on March 12. "Unless defenders of Internet freedom and prosperity act quickly, boldly and imaginatively, this tragic trajectory will become irreversible," he says, according to his prepared testimony for an FCC oversight hearing in the committee. He also plans to tell the committee he thinks the FCC should: 1) at least test how to apply, or not apply, traditional regulations to an all-IP world (AT&T has asked the FCC for such test beds); 2) do nothing to restrict the pool of wireless bidders for broadcast spectrum -- including via de facto spectrum caps; 3) and modernize media ownership rules, but not start applying local ownership caps to joint sales agreements.
benton.org/node/147578 | Broadcasting&Cable
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SCARCITY TO ABUNDANCE
[SOURCE: Seattle Times, AUTHOR: Christopher Mitchell]
[Commentary] Responding to the lack of investment by cable and telephone companies, more than 100 local governments, Google and some other innovative companies have invested in ultrafast networks and make services available at affordable prices. They aren’t simply building faster networks; they are building abundant networks. And rather than capping access, they want to ensure everyone has better Internet access to better educational outcomes, encourage economic growth and improve quality of life. More than in most states, public investments in robust electrical and fiber-optic infrastructure have brought major investments in data centers to Washington. The big cable and phone companies have had their chance and should stop obstructing other entities. That way, everyone would benefit from this infrastructure. D.C. could help with the transition to abundance. Expanding unlicensed spectrum would allow innovators to create a new generation of more powerful tools similar to Wi-Fi, greatly expanding access to low-cost, fast wireless networks. Just as free public roads and low-cost universal electricity supercharged American economic growth in the 21st century, so can the Age of Internet Abundance now. I don’t know the maximum number of amps that can flow into my house and I don’t care. Soon, I hope to say the same thing about my megabits ... or even gigabits.
[Mitchell is the director of the Telecommunications as Commons Initiative at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance]
benton.org/node/147524 | Seattle Times
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WIRELESS/SPECTRUM

SPECTRUM SHARING
[SOURCE: The White House, AUTHOR: Tom Power, Lawrence Strickling]
The President’s strategy for expanding the capacity of high-speed wireless broadband services across the Nation may get a boost from a new Defense Department Initiative to fund research and development of innovative new approaches to spectrum sharing. Under one strategy for maximizing spectrum efficiency, commercial broadband providers are permitted to share spectrum bands that otherwise would be allocated for exclusive Government use, or vice versa; this approach can increase the productivity of a band that was designated for a specific purpose decades ago but is underutilized today. Spectrum sharing can take a number of forms, some of which are technologically mature and others of which are still developing, as detailed in last year’s report from the President’s Council of Advisers on Science and Technology, Realizing the Full Potential of Government-Held Spectrum to Spur Economic Growth. To stimulate investment in more advanced forms of spectrum sharing, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative research proposals aimed at efficient and reliable sharing of spectrum between radar and communications systems. Consistent with its history of promoting groundbreaking technological breakthroughs for both military and commercial use, DARPA is seeking “innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances” in spectrum sharing, specifically in the spectrum bands that are most amenable to broadband and communications services. The program may fund multi-year projects designed either to significantly modify existing radar and communications systems or to unveil new system architectures redesigned from the ground up. Sharing is just one tool for promoting more robust and efficient broadband networks; full maximization of spectrum may also require broader policy and regulatory changes. But any such changes must be informed by the best technological thinking and know-how. DARPA’s program generated an enthusiastic response from potential participants who packed the room at a Proposer’s Day event last week. We encourage qualified innovators and entrepreneurs from across industry, academia, and Government offices to review the DARPA solicitation and consider submitting proposals by the April 9 due date. We congratulate DARPA for once again stepping up to support the potential for game-changing technologies in the field of spectrum sharing.
[Lawrence Strickling is the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and the Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Tom Power is the U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer for Telecommunications in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.]
benton.org/node/147551 | White House, The
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T-MOBILE/METRO DEAL UPDATE
[SOURCE: Bloomberg, AUTHOR: Todd Shields]
The Federal Communications Commission may seek to approve, without holding a vote, Deutsche Telekom’s proposal to combine its T-Mobile USA unit with MetroPCS Communications, a deal critic said. The agency may be considering an order approving the deal “at the bureau level instead of the commission level,” Monica Desai, an attorney for the Communications Workers of America, said in a filing with the agency. The Communications Workers hasn’t opposed the deal and has asked the FCC to impose requirements aimed at preserving jobs after the companies combine. The merger as proposed will eliminate “a significant number of jobs,” the union said in a March 4 filing, without supplying a figure. “This is outrageous,” Debbie Goldman, telecommunications policy director for the Washington-based labor union, said in an interview. “It’s unprecedented that a deal that is this big and has raised controversies about its employment impacts would not be voted on by the full commission.” “I assume it’s good” for the deal’s prospects and shows the merger is “basically non-controversial” aside from the union’s concerns about employment, David Kaut, a Washington- based analyst with Stifel Nicolaus & Co., said. “No one thinks this is going to be blocked.” The FCC can issue decisions from its department offices, such as the wireless telecommunications bureau reviewing the MetroPCS deal. In such a case, there would be no recorded vote by the five commissioners.
benton.org/node/147572 | Bloomberg
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COMMOTION WIRELESS
[SOURCE: ABC News, AUTHOR: Daniel Bean]
With recent debates over openness on the Internet, and the emerging concept that you might not have the right to do what you want with your cellphone, 2013 looks to be a pivotal time for expanded technology rights. Enter the Open Technology Institute, providers of a new project meant to help spread free and accessible wireless communication. They call themselves Commotion Wireless. Sascha Meinrath, vice president and director of the Open Technology Institute, told ABC News that its open sourced wireless "mesh network" system can serve many purposes. "It can be used in places where there is no connectivity, where connectivity has gone down, or where there may be surveillance," Meinrath said. "The main purpose is to provide lower-cost access to communications for any number of barriers that may interfere with that access," added Thomas Gideon of Commotion Wireless. "Centralized control of Internet access is one case, but we have also deployed the technology in emergency response scenarios and to provide alternate communications infrastructure for traditionally under-served communities." Gideon is the overseer of technical development for the project.
benton.org/node/147526 | ABC News
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CONTENT

FACEBOOK STUDY
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Jessica Guynn]
You are what you like on Facebook. That's the conclusion of a new study that says your Facebook "likes" reveal a whole lot more about you than you might think –- including how old you are, how you vote, whether you are liberal or conservative, if you have a high or low IQ, if you are an introvert or if you are gay, even if you use drugs. The study was a collaboration of the Psychometrics Lab at the University of Cambridge and Microsoft Research Cambridge. Researchers analyzed data from 58,000-plus American Facebook users who had supplied their profiles and “likes” through Facebook's myPersonality app. Then they made some educated guesses about personalities and behavior. And that may not get a thumbs up from people who get click happy on Facebook, indiscriminately liking articles, photos, status updates or any one of millions of pages for their favorite brand, celebrity, movie, TV show or pop star, never once stopping to think what this public information says about them.
http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-on-facebook-you-are-...
Facebook 'Likes' reveal more about you than you think (USAToday)
benton.org/node/147575 | Los Angeles Times | USAToday
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TELECOM

KANSAS PHONE BILL
[SOURCE: Wichita Eagle, AUTHOR: Dion Lefler]
The Kansas Senate will take up a bill proposed by AT&T to relieve phone companies from having to follow state rules protecting consumers from fraud and abusive billing practices. House Bill 2201 also would prevent state utility regulators from enforcing minimum quality of service standards in AT&T areas. And it would relieve AT&T of having to provide phone service to poor people on Lifeline subsidies or difficult-to-serve rural customers. In recent years in the Legislature, AT&T has steadily chipped away at regulations to move from its former perch as a regulated monopoly phone company to a fully deregulated business providing a variety of communications services including Internet access and television. David Springe, chief consumer counsel for the Citizens’ Utility Ratepayer Board, said he thinks the current bill takes that too far, because AT&T remains the dominant phone company in the state and the only viable option for telecommunications for customers in much of rural Kansas.
benton.org/node/147519 | Wichita Eagle
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POLICYMAKERS

WHO’S THE NEXT FCC CHAIR?
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Cecilia Kang]
Two questions dominate current conversation in Washington’s telecom world: When will Julius leave, and who will replace him? Julius Genachowski, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, is expected to leave his position as early as next month even though his tenure doesn’t end until the summer, according to people close to the White House and key decision makers on Capitol Hill. And what may move that process forward is growing agreement among top government leaders on a nominee to replace him. A decision will spark a reshuffling of commissioner and senior level seats at the agency, which oversees cable, phone and wireless providers. Washington is putting increasing attention on the commission and high-tech sectors. Americans depend more than ever on smartphones and the Internet for education, work and entertainment. The next FCC chairman will inherit the task of distributing more airwaves to bolster wireless networks, extend Internet access to the poor and oversee what is expected to be more mergers within the industry. The top candidates for chairman include Tom Wheeler, a tech and telecom venture capitalist and fundraiser for President Obama; Karen Kornbluh, Obama’s ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; and Lawrence Strickling, an assistant secretary for Commerce and head of the White House’s tech and advisory policy arm at the Commerce Department. Genachowski’s departure is expected to coincide with a departure by senior FCC Republican commissioner Robert McDowell. Once Senate Republican leaders find a replacement for McDowell, a package announcement on several FCC changes will occur, according to people close to the White House, Capitol Hill and FCC. Minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) or John Thune (R-SD) will probably lead the Republican Party’s consideration of candidates to replace McDowell, the observers said.
benton.org/node/147548 | Washington Post
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DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission, AUTHOR: Public Notice]
The Federal Communications Commission has re-chartered its Federal Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age and appointed the committee’s members. The Committee’s mission is to advise the Commission regarding policies and practices that will enhance diversity in the telecommunications and related industries. In particular, the Committee focuses on lowering barriers to entry for historically disadvantaged men and women and creating an environment that enables employment of a diverse workforce within the telecommunications and related industries. This Committee will continue to work on (1) unlicensed spectrum opportunities for diverse communities and entrepreneurs; (2) how exemplary EEO practices by telecommunications industry participants can contribute to the FCC’s goal of viewpoint diversity; (3) how exemplary supplier diversity practices by industry participants can contribute to the FCC’s goal of ownership diversity, and (4) reviewing past diversity initiatives that have positively impacted ownership diversity and determining how these initiatives can be incorporated in the Commission’s current diversity agenda.
Barbara Kreisman, Carolyn Fleming Williams, and Nicole McGinnis, will serve as the Designated Federal Officer and Deputy Federal Officers, respectively, of the Diversity Committee. The committee will be chaired by Henry Rivera of the Emma Bowen Foundation for Minority Interests in Media and the Benton Foundation.
benton.org/node/147545 | Federal Communications Commission | FCC Commissioner Clyburn
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STORIES FROM ABROAD

MEXICAN OVERHAUL
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Elisabeth Malkin]
President Enrique Peña Nieto and leaders of Mexico’s three main political parties presented a sweeping overhaul of the laws regulating telecommunications, the most serious effort yet to rein in the country’s dominant telephone and television companies. The proposal would give broad new powers to regulators who have been frustrated in their attempts to reduce the market power of América Móvil, which is controlled by the billionaire Carlos Slim Helú. Most important, it would allow regulators to require a company with control of a majority of the market to divest some assets or submit to special rules to prevent it from abusing its market dominance. The measures also aim to curtail the market dominance of Mexico’s broadcast duopoly: Televisa, which is controlled by Emilio Azcárraga Jean, and TV Azteca, which between them control almost the entire television market. The proposal envisions auctioning off two new private television networks, a plan the broadcasters have fought for years. Among the proposals is one that would lift the limit on foreign investment in telecommunications to 100 percent from 49 percent. The law would give full autonomy to Mexico’s Federal Competition Commission, which has struggled to impose fines on América Móvil and tried unsuccessfully to force broadcasters to provide their free channels to pay TV competitors. The changes would also create a new body over the next year with broad powers to regulate telecommunications companies, including the possibility of ordering them to divest assets to prevent them from exercising control over the market.
benton.org/node/147596 | New York Times | Wall Street Journal | FT
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AUSTRALIA’S OVERHAUL
[SOURCE: Financial Times, AUTHOR: Neil Hume]
Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp and other media groups will face a public interest test before being allowed to make any major media acquisition in Australia, under new rules proposed by the country’s ruling Labor government. Australia’s communications minister Stephen Conroy said the new media ownership rule would ensure a “diversity of voices” was always considered when media companies of “national significance” seek to merge. The proposed test is part of a long-awaited media reform package, which also includes a toughened system of self-regulation for print and online media and new rules on local content. The changes are the result of two investigations into the Australian media industry – the Convergence Review and the Finkelstein inquiry, which were launched after the UK hacking scandal that eventually forced the closure of the News of the World newspaper.
benton.org/node/147594 | Financial Times
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UK PRESS REGULATION
[SOURCE: Financial Times, AUTHOR: Kiran Stacey, Robert Budden, Elizabeth Rigby]
Talks between the three main party leaders on the Leveson proposals for press regulation are at risk of collapsing, Labour officials have warned, with an agreement looking as far away as ever. The three lead negotiators – Maria Miller, culture secretary, Harriet Harman, Labour’s shadow culture secretary, and Lord Wallace for the Liberal Democrats – were locked in hours of talks about the make-up of a possible Royal Charter to oversee regulation. But those talks appeared not to have achieved the breakthrough hoped for. Labour advisers warned that a meeting of party leaders, tentatively planned for March 12, might not happen. Number 10 said the leaders’ talks had not been confirmed. The prime minister has championed proposals for a new press watchdog backed by royal charter but without the need for legislation. But the Tory party’s proposals have met with opposition from Labour and the Lib Dems, which want legislation to implement the Leveson recommendations.
benton.org/node/147592 | Financial Times
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VENEZUELAN MEDIA SALE
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Jose De Cordoba, Ezequiel Minaya]
The owner of the lone television network critical of the government in Venezuela said he was coerced into selling the station by a hostile government. The development raised concerns that media freedoms will be further eroded as the politically polarized country prepares for presidential elections next month. Guillermo Zuloaga, who owns Globovisión, a television news channel which has been a critic of late President Hugo Chávez's government, said the station became unviable after a campaign of harassment against it, including the imposition of millions of dollars in fines.
benton.org/node/147590 | Wall Street Journal
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