September 2014

Tumblr Backs Title II

Social media site Tumblr told the Federal Communications Commission that it should reclassify Internet access under Title II common carrier regulations.

Tumblr says the FCC needs to adopt bright-line rules that prevent "[charging] access fees and paid prioritization schemes, congestion of interconnection points, discriminatory data cap exemptions, application-based discrimination, and site blocking." To do that, the company says, the FCC should "reclassify broadband internet access as a 'telecommunications service' subject to Title II’s framework and appropriate forbearance."

Comcast Supports Net Neutrality

The Internet in America today is an amazing success -- a growth engine for our economy, a powerful tool for free speech, a hotbed of innovation, diverse and competitive. This success is a direct result of the government’s decision to regulate broadband lightly which began back in the Clinton Administration and continues through today -- this period brought us everything from Google to Facebook and Twitter.

The idea of an open and neutral Internet has been a critical part of the dialogue for more than a decade. Comcast stands by its support for reasonable and workable rules to ensure that it stays that way. We want our customers to continue to enjoy their favorite videos, web applications, shopping, news, and whatever may come next. Light touch Open Internet regulations should be a part of that. But no one should play games with the openness of the Internet, and we certainly won't endanger the amazing Internet ecosystem that Americans enjoy.

Want a Real Internet Slowdown Day? Regulate it Like a Public Utility

It’s unfortunate, but not surprising, that the debate over how to enact reasonable network neutrality protections for consumers has come to this -- a PR stunt called Internet Slowdown Day to suggests how Internet service providers are going to ruin the consumer Internet experience.

Of course, this isn’t true. Internet Slowdown Day is sure to make a splash. It’ll drive a lot of attention to Net Neutrality, Title II regulation, and the role of ISPs in America’s broadband future. Before buying into the hype, ask yourself: Does this make sense? Would an industry that has invested over $200 billion into creating one of the largest, fastest, most comprehensive broadband networks on earth, really be trying to “destroy the Internet?”

I live in the US and I can't get home Internet

[Commentary] In some parts of the country, there is only one choice for home internet. In others, there are none. Myers is a resident of Whatcom County, Washington. He decided to go public with his story after nearly two years of frustrating negotiations for internet with local providers and officials.

Sorry to Disappoint, But NAB Is Playing It Straight Up

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler certainly traveled a great distance simply to accuse the National Association of Broadcasters of seeking to delay or derail his upcoming broadcast spectrum incentive auction.

With all due respect Mr. Chairman, I fear that your comments are not only wrong, but will create the very uncertainties and distractions you say you want to avoid. We strongly recommend avoiding further finger pointing and getting to the table to try to find the best solutions for all stakeholders. Inventing rumors of wireless carrier disinterest or about NAB “elements” that don’t like the auction is a waste of everyone’s time. NAB has worked very well with all other industries in this proceeding, even when we’ve disagreed with them. We all have an auction to run. NAB is ready. We are willing. But it would sure help if we had a partner at the helm of the FCC.

LA Noncommercial Stations Signal Plan to Channel Share

Los Angeles noncommercial stations KLCS and KCET have signaled they want to share channels and give up spectrum to the broadcast incentive auction. KLCS had been conducting a channel-sharing test with KJLA, the flagship station for the LATV Network, but will actually do the sharing with the iconic KCET, which has been going it alone since giving up its PBS affiliation in January 2011 to avoid the multi-million dollar dues.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler, who had said their FCC-approved sharing test made a compelling case for sharing, welcomed the news which means broadcasters will be giving up spectrum in at least one of the top markets the FCC is eyeing in its incentive auction. “I’m pleased Los Angeles stations KLCS and KCET have reached an agreement to share spectrum following the first-ever incentive auction. When I visited KLCS last spring, I was impressed that channel sharing worked so seamlessly and opened the door to new business models for broadcasters. It’s a compelling opportunity for broadcasters to continue their existing business on a shared channel, and take home a check for the spectrum they relinquish in the incentive auction. It is my hope that other broadcasters give it careful consideration as well.”

Senators Press CBS’s Moonves on Not Running Local Choice Ads

Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) wrote a letter to CBS President Leslie Moonves asking why CBS refused to run ads for the cable-backed "Local Choice" proposal.

They said that they recognized CBS had the right to "exercise appropriate discretion over its advertising practices," they said they needed answers related to the blocking of commercial ads "in this instance." Given CBS' obligation to operate in the public interest -- which they suggest includes allowing an "open and honest debate" about the future of the video marketplace -- the senators say they want Moonves to explain some things: why the ads did not meet advertising standards, whether CBS recognized the ads were to run on other platforms, whether CBS provided a reason for not airing the ads, whether CBS has refused to air ads related to communications policies in the past and would it ever consider denying ads to political committees which CBS disagrees with. They also wanted a response to this observation: "Quoting from Justice Brandeis, in cases where CBS has an editorial or commercial position contrary to a prospective advertiser seeking to espouse a reasonable though different view, isn't the best remedy more speech, rather than enforced speech?"

Moonves: LIN Made Mistake in Indianapolis

CBS CEO Les Moonves said he thinks LIN Media made a mistake by losing the CBS affiliation at its station in Indianapolis. He said CBS and LIN had different ideas about how much reverse compensation the network was entitled to in the market.

Tribune agreed with CBS’ valuation and the affiliation moved after 46 years. “The amount we were asking wasn’t extraordinary,” Moonves said, particularly considering that CBS carries games of the Indianapolis Colts and the NCAA Basketball Tournament. “I think LIN made a mistake. Tribune came in and paid the right price.” Moonves also noted that after the Indianapolis affiliation moved, “every other station we were negotiating with fell into place,” and the value of CBS content was established.

ISIS' Sinister Media Strategy, and How the West Is Fighting Back

Here's an ugly truth: ISIS has a really effective brand strategy.

Al Qaeda terrorists had a manifesto that claimed to represent the common man (the name means "The Base") and some grainy, boring video, but ISIS is going after the supervillain look as hard as it can. It's got a scary acronym (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, also referred to as ISIL and the less Twitter-friendly IS), a huge online presence and -- not kidding -- flashy "annual reports" since 2012. The people attracted to the organization vary across metrics like cultural background, age and sex. Workers at the US State Department's Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications (CSCC) have been putting together a propaganda push designed to counter ISIS' strategy, including trolling pro-ISIS Twitter users and pushing out an incredibly disturbing and sarcastic propaganda video on YouTube.

Five million Gmail addresses and passwords dumped online

An archive containing nearly 5 million Gmail addresses and plain text passwords was posted on an online forum, but the data is old and likely sourced from multiple data breaches according to one security firm.

Benton

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