September 2016

“Sometimes Europeans see that we have good phones and ask, ‘Why does a refugee have a phone?’ These phones are like our visas. If we lose our phones, we lose our lives.”
-- Boutros, a Syrian refugee https://www.benton.org/headlines/connectivity-world-move

BENTON'S COMMUNICATIONS-RELATED HEADLINES for FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

A Communications Act Update? In 2016?

Today's Events -- 44th Research Conference on Communications, Information, and Internet Policy, TPRC -- https://www.benton.org/node/246888
Digital Economy Board of Advisors, NTIA -- https://www.benton.org/node/246819

FCC MEETING/NEWS
   FCC pulls vote on TV set-top box plan in final minutes
   FCC Strengthens Wireless Emergency Alerts As A Public Safety Tool - press release
   FCC Proposes Rules To Increase Availability Of Diverse And Independent Progamming To Consumers - press release
   FCC Streamlines Foreign Ownership Rules and Procedures for Broadcast and Common Carrier Licenses - press release
   FCC Announces Reauthorization of its Intergovernmental Advisory Committee and Solicits Nominations for Membership on the Committee - public notice
   Recommendation of the FCC Disability Advisory Committee on Amplified Phones [links to Federal Communications Commission]
   Recommendation of the FCC Disability Advisory Committee on 911 Training for Video Relay Service Communication Assistants [links to Federal Communications Commission]
   Recommendation of the FCC Disability Advisory Committee on IP Captioned Telephone Service Quality Standards [links to Federal Communications Commission]

INTERNET/BROADBAND
   NTIA Shares Insights on Privacy and Digital Divide Research at TPRC - press release [links to Benton summary]
   The Digital Divide Is Closing, Even as New Fissures Surface - NTIA research
   Four state attorneys general sue to stop Internet transition
   Broadband Speed Tiers: Should You Eliminate Them as a Usage Based Billing Strategy? [links to Benton summary]
   Why modest broadband development steps mark a significant leap ahead - Brookings op-ed [links to Benton summary]
   Video: Is America giving away the internet? [links to USAToday]
   PSC votes to bring approximately $100 million for rural broadband investment to Montana - press release [links to Benton summary]

ELECTIONS 2016
   Partisans disagree on news media’s best, worst traits - Pew research
   Trump was briefed on Russian involvement in DNC attacks before debate [links to Benton summary]
   How Russia Wants to Undermine the US Election [links to Time]
   Op-Ed: How to Ensure Trustworthy, Open Source Elections [links to nextgov]
   Trump campaign pays off Corey Lewandowski contract [links to Politico]
   Paid or unpaid, Corey Lewandowski parrots Trump campaign talking points [links to Washington Post]
   Newspapers Face Death Threats, Lost Subscriptions for Endorsing Hillary Clinton [links to Benton summary]
   Hollywood Republicans Feel Under Siege in ‘Toxic’ Anti-Trump Industry [links to Wrap, The]
   Google prompts a Spanish language spike for ‘register to vote’ — especially in Florida [links to Benton summary]

SECURITY/PRIVACY
   Digital attack on journalist raises specter of online censorship [links to Benton summary]
   Hackers Infect Army of Cameras, DVRs for Massive Internet Attacks [links to Benton summary]
   Launch of the “Lock Down Your Login” Public Awareness Campaign [links to White House, The]
   Facebook and Twitter are exposing users to phishing attacks by opening links in new windows [links to Quartz]
   Should Facebook fix this security bug if it means losing a little functionality and a lot of influence? [links to Quartz]
   The CIA is trying to protect the privacy rights of someone who doesn’t exist [links to Quartz]
   Colin Powell, Secretary of Shade: Political authenticity in the era of the data hack [links to American Enterprise Institute]

CONTENT
   More and more people get their news via social media. Is that good or bad? - op-ed

ADVERTISING
   Industry Analysts Lower Political Ad Forecasts [links to Broadcasting&Cable]
   ANA Asks Facebook to Open Up Its Platform for More Third-Party Measurement [links to AdWeek]
   8 Stats That Show How Huge an Opportunity Instagram Is for Sports Marketers [links to AdWeek]

TELEVISION
   Why Some Broadcast Shows Are Getting Smaller, Cable-Sized Season Orders [links to AdWeek]

DIVERSITY
   Women in tech are seriously fired up over a Wall Street Journal op-ed that suggested they "obscure their gender" [links to CNNMoney]
   Why using your initials is a B.S. way to fix sexism [links to CNNMoney]
   How the Ad Industry Can Help Women Attain Top Leadership Positions [links to AdWeek]
   Melinda Gates Has a New Mission: Women in Tech [links to Medium]
   BBG Reviews Internet Freedom Initiative and Programming for Woman, Extremism [links to Broadcasting Board of Governors]

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
   How It Looked at FEMA: A Successful National Test of the Emergency Alert System [links to Benton summary]
   Trust gap: What happens when black communities call 911 less often? [links to Benton summary]

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
   Agencies Need to Improve Their Application Inventories to Achieve Additional Information Technology Savings [links to Government Accountability Office]
   Op-Ed: Probable cause and cellphone searches [links to Washington Post]

GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE
   What President Obama Did for Tech: Transparency and Open Data - analysis [links to Benton summary]

COMPANY NEWS
   National Amusements Officially Asks Viacom, CBS to Re-Merge [links to Wrap, The]

STORIES FROM ABROAD
   Connectivity for a World on the Move - ITU op-ed [links to Benton summary]
   European antitrust chief says user data may factor into merger reviews [links to Hill, The]
   Salesforce raises Microsoft-LinkedIn antitrust concerns with EU [links to Hill, The]

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FCC MEETING/NEWS

FCC PULLS VOTE ON SET-TOP PLAN
[SOURCE: The Hill, AUTHOR: David McCabe]
The Federal Communications Commission pulled a vote on a contentious proposal to open up the market for television set-top boxes from its agenda minutes before the start of its monthly meeting. The delay is a blow to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, who had been pitted against the pay-television industry in a fight over the reforms. “We have made tremendous progress — and we share the goal of creating a more innovative and inexpensive market for these consumer devices,” said Chairman Wheeler and the agency’s other two Democratic commissioners, Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel. “We are still working to resolve the remaining technical and legal issues and we are committed to unlocking the set-top box for consumers across this country.” The item now remains on “circulation,” in the parlance of the agency, meaning it is being weighed by the commissioners. An industry trade association, NCTA -- The Internet and Television Association, said they were pleased with the FCC’s move. “We are pleased that the FCC has chosen to delay consideration of its set-top box item and hope that additional time will lead to meaningful public review and comment on any newly-crafted proposal under consideration.” Sen Ed Markey (D-MA), a vocal advocate for the reforms, said he was frustrated by the delay. "Today’s vote delay is an unequivocal loss for the tens of millions of Americans across the country who are forced to spend their hard-earned money on overpriced set-top box leases that cost them hundreds of dollars a year," he said. "I am extremely disappointed that the majority of the FCC Commissioners have not yet come to an agreement to provide relief for consumers for these bloated set-top box rental fees and certainty to companies who wish to innovate with new products."
benton.org/headlines/fcc-pulls-vote-tv-set-top-box-plan-final-minutes | Hill, The | Wheeler, Clyburn, and Rosenworcel Statement | WSJ | ars technica | Multichannel News | Multichannel News | Fast Company | PK | Free Press | NCTA | AT&T
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FCC STRENGTHENS WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS AS A PUBLIC SAFETY TOOL
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission, AUTHOR: Press release]
The Federal Communications Commission adopted rules to update and strengthen Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), a system that delivers critical warnings and information to Americans on their wireless phones. The updated rules are intended to promote the wider use and effectiveness of this lifesaving service, especially for state and local authorities to convey important information to their communities. Since its launch in 2012, WEA has informed the public about severe weather, missing children, and other emergencies through alerts to their wireless phones. Now that stakeholders have four years’ experience with the service, and in light of its real-world use and technological advancements since the FCC adopted technical and procedural requirements for WEA in 2008, the agency has updated its rules. In a Report and Order adopted Sept 29, the FCC took action to improve WEA message content, help ensure that the messages reach only those people for whom an alert is relevant, and establish a WEA testing program that will improve the effectiveness of the system for public safety officials and the public. The updated rules will:
Increase the maximum length of WEA messages (from 90 to 360 characters) for 4G LTE and future networks;
Require participating wireless providers to support inclusion of embedded phone numbers and URLs in all WEA alerts, including WEA AMBER alerts, which will enable the public to click to see a photo or to call authorities;
Require participating wireless providers to deliver the alerts to more granular geographic areas;
Create a new class of alerts (“Public Safety Messages”) to convey essential, recommended actions that can save lives or property (e.g. emergency shelter locations or a boil water order);
Require participating wireless providers to support transmission of Spanish-language alerts; and
Make it easier for state and local authorities to test WEA, train personnel, and raise public awareness about the service.
Commissioner O’Rielly dissenting in part.
benton.org/headlines/fcc-strengthens-wireless-emergency-alerts-public-safety-tool | Federal Communications Commission | Recode | The Hill | The Verge | WashPost
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FCC PROPOSES RULES TO INCREASE AVAILABILITY OF DIVERSE AND INDEPENDENT PROGRAMMING TO CONSUMERS
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission, AUTHOR: Press release]
The Federal Communications Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to foster consumer choice and access to diverse programming on television. The proposed rules may prohibit the use of certain clauses in pay TV programming distribution contracts that impede carriage of independent and diverse programming. Specifically, the proposed rules would prevent pay TV providers from including so-called “unconditional” most favored nation (MFN) and “unreasonable” alternative distribution method (ADM) clauses in their contracts with independent programmers. An “unconditional” MFN clause entitles a pay TV provider to receive favorable contract terms that a programmer has given to another programming distributor, without requiring the pay TV provider to assume any corresponding obligations from the other distribution agreement. An ADM clause generally prohibits or limits a programmer from putting its programming on alternative video distribution platforms, such as online platforms. The FCC seeks comment on the specific kinds of ADM clauses that it should prohibit as unreasonable. The proposed rules are a result of the input received from an inquiry the FCC opened into the state of diversity in the video programming market. The FCC held two workshops on the issue to examine the state of the video marketplace, challenges faced by distributors of video programming, and marketplace obstacles that affect the provision of independent and diverse programming to consumers.
Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn and Rosenworcel approving. Commissioners Pai and O’Rielly dissenting.
benton.org/headlines/fcc-proposes-rules-increase-availability-diverse-and-independent-progamming-consumers | Federal Communications Commission | Multichannel News | Public Knowledge
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FCC STREAMLINES FOREIGN OWNERSHIP RULES AND PROCEDURES
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission, AUTHOR: Press release]
The Federal Communications Commission adopted rules to extend to broadcast licensees the same streamlined rules and procedures that common carrier wireless licensees use to seek approval for foreign ownership, with appropriate broadcast-specific modifications. The FCC also reformed the methodology for publicly traded broadcast and common carrier licensees and controlling U.S. parents to assess compliance with the statutory foreign ownership limits. The Communications Act establishes a 25 percent benchmark for foreign investment in U.S.-organized entities that control a U.S. broadcast, common carrier, or aeronautical fixed or en route radio licensee. Licensees must obtain FCC approval before foreign ownership exceeds 25 percent. The substantive review by the FCC of proposed, aggregate foreign ownership above 25 percent will stay in place. As a result, the rules modernize the foreign ownership filing and review processes so they are better adapted to the current business environment. The FCC adopted the rules on a 5-0 vote.
benton.org/headlines/fcc-streamlines-foreign-ownership-rules-and-procedures-broadcast-and-common-carrier | Federal Communications Commission | TVNewsCheck | B&C
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FCC ANNOUNCES REAUTHORIZATION OF ITS INTERGOVERNMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission, AUTHOR: Public Notice]
The Federal Communications Commission announces the reauthorization of the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (“IAC”) and solicits nominations for membership on the IAC. The current term of the IAC expired on July 14, 2016. The term of operations for the reauthorized IAC will be limited to two years, with an option for reauthorization at the end of the two-year period, and will commence with its first meeting. Nominations for membership are due by December 5, 2016. The mission of the IAC is to provide advice to the FCC on the many telecommunications issues affecting local, state and Tribal governments that are within the jurisdiction of the FCC. These issues can range from major FCC policy priorities such as broadband adoption and deployment, especially in unserved and underserved rural areas and Tribal lands, strengthening public safety communications infrastructure and emergency response capabilities, streamlining facilities siting, while respecting public rights-of-way, monitoring the transition from “legacy” telecommunications services to emerging wireline networks and wireless networks, and ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of the universal service programs.
benton.org/headlines/fcc-announces-reauthorization-its-intergovernmental-advisory-committee-and-solicits | Federal Communications Commission
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INTERNET/BROADBAND

NTIA DIGITAL DIVIDE RESEARCH
[SOURCE: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, AUTHOR: Giulia McHenry, Edward Carlson, Maureen Lewis, Rafi Goldberg, Justin Goss, Celeste Chen]
Access to ubiquitous and affordable high-speed Internet is essential to many aspects of modern society. The Internet can assist in activities like accessing employment opportunities, healthcare options, affordable housing, and educational resources. However, millions of Americans still do not use the Internet, and even among those who do, the speed, quality and form of access can vary greatly. We seek to better understand the challenges faced by non-adopters and under-connected Americans using new data from the July 2015 Computer and Internet Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey. We find that the nature of the digital divide is evolving. As usage habits and technologies change, new disparities are appearing, even while others gradually narrow. New divides based on the cost of owning multiple Internet-enabled devices appear to be surfacing. To better understand the changing needs of underserved communities, we examine three important and emerging trends. First, we analyze survey data from Internet non-adopters. NTIA added new questions to its 2015 survey in order to better understand why households report not using the Internet. We allowed households to report multiple reasons for not using the Internet, enabling us to better understand why some households are not online. We also asked whether households lacking home Internet service would subscribe to such a service if it were offered at a lower price. Second, we look specifically at one group of low adopters: rural communities. Americans in rural communities may face a disadvantage based on cumulative impact of various barriers to Internet use. For example, rural areas often face high broadband deployment costs, and may lack local facilities that offer public Internet access (e.g., community centers). Together, these factors may further depress Internet use in rural areas among those demographic groups already facing disparities, such low-income households. To understand these issues, we compare Internet use for similar demographic groups in rural and urban areas. Research suggests that, particularly among groups traditionally affected by the digital divide, Internet adoption rates are lower in rural areas. Third, we focus on the diversification of devices used to access the Internet. The proliferation of devices means more people have more alternatives for getting online. However, this trend may open up a new digital divide, based on whether an individual has access to the right type of device for a particular task. Using a smartphone to access the Internet, for example, has qualitative strengths and weaknesses compared to using a laptop computer. To better understand this new divide, we investigate device use, particularly for those most likely to be on the wrong side of the digital divide. Stimulating greater Internet use is an important and widely-prioritized public policy goal. In considering the best strategies to reach this goal, it is important to have a full, nuanced, and granular picture of the digital divide. Looking ahead, policy makers need to better understand how this divide is evolving with Internet and technology usage. Our paper aims to address these questions.
benton.org/headlines/digital-divide-closing-even-new-fissures-surface | National Telecommunications and Information Administration
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FOUR STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL SUE TO STOP INTERNET TRANSITION
[SOURCE: The Hill, AUTHOR: Ali Breland]
Republican attorneys general in four states are filing a lawsuit to block the transfer of Internet domain systems oversight from the US to an international governing body. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, and Nevada Attorney General Paul Laxalt filed a lawsuit on Sept 28 to stop the White House's proposed transition of Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions. The state officials cite constitutional concerns in their suit against the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, US government and the Department of Commerce. “The Obama Administration’s decision violates the Property Clause of the US Constitution by giving away government property without congressional authorization, the First Amendment to the US Constitution by chilling speech, and the Administrative Procedure Act by acting beyond statutory authority,” a statement released by Paxton’s office reads. The attorneys generals claim that the US government is ceding government property, pointing to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) review that “concluded that the transition does not involve a transfer of US government property requiring Congressional approval.” AG Paxton also echoed Sen Ted Cruz's (R-TX) warnings that the transition could harm free speech on the Internet by giving Russia, China and Iran a voice on the international governing body that would oversee internet domain systems. “Trusting authoritarian regimes to ensure the continued freedom of the internet is lunacy,” Paxton said. “The president does not have the authority to simply give away America’s pioneering role in ensuring that the Internet remains a place where free expression can flourish.”
benton.org/headlines/four-state-attorneys-general-sue-stop-internet-transition | Hill, The
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ELECTIONS 2016

PUBLIC OPINION OF JOURNALISM
[SOURCE: Pew Research Center, AUTHOR: Joel Ericsen, Jeffrey Gottfried]
Americans are divided in what they consider the most positive and negative attribute of the news media, and much of that divide follows party lines: Conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats stand far apart in their views of what the media do best and worst. Conservative Republicans, for example, are more likely to say that reporting biased news is the most negative thing the media do, while liberal Democrats single out poor choices in the news they cover or how they cover it. As far as the most positive thing the media do, Americans are mostly split between two traits. Three-in-ten describe the media’s most positive attribute as simply doing their job of reporting the news, whether in general or on a specific topic. (Weather and traffic tops the list of subject areas, named by 11% of U.S. adults.) Nearly as many say the news media provide a service to the public (25%), such as informing people or acting as a watchdog. The other most positive traits mentioned, though by no more than one-in-ten Americans, are the media’s reports on uplifting or positive stories (8%) and their practice of high journalistic standards (6%). Additionally, 8% say the news media do nothing positive.
benton.org/headlines/partisans-disagree-news-medias-best-worst-traits | Pew Research Center
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CONTENT

NEWS AND SOCIAL MEDIA
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Kevin Curry]
[Commentary] Because social media is so young, political science hasn’t fully explored the political implications of how citizens use it to get news. Research has found that consuming news makes people more likely to vote. In theory, democracy should benefit from the presence of more information sources. But we don’t know yet exactly how social media influences its consumers. Here are three things to think about as you read your social feed.
1. More and more people rely on social media for news and information.
2. Despite its growing popularity, social media’s influence on political participation remains unclear.
3. Gathering political information via social media brings an increased risk of digesting information from questionable sources.
[Kevin Curry is the director of integrated media at Linfield College]
benton.org/headlines/more-and-more-people-get-their-news-social-media-good-or-bad | Washington Post
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