Hear the FCC's open meeting today starting at 9:30 (eastern) --=20
http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio/
For upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org/calendar.htm
Former executive director of the Civil Rights Forum on Communications=20
Policy and Benton Foundation general counsel is now a senior fellow at the=
=20
Center for American Progress. See=20
http://www.americanprogress.org/site/pp.asp?c=3DbiJRJ8OVF&b=3D139896
DIGITAL TV/MEDIA POLICY
Communications Reform Could Get Caught in Bigger Fight
Media Ownership Limits May Depend on Election
Powell Pitches 2009 DTV Date
Advocate of Educational Programming Returns to Fight in the Digital TV Era
Public TV Groping for Business Models for HDTV, Multicasting
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
House Panel OKs Copyright, Spyware Bills
RTNDA Fights for Satellite Photos
QUICKLY
Cellphone Tower Rules May Loosen Up
Unleashing the Educational Power of Broadband
CDT Urges Caution on Wiretap Mandates for Internet
Forrester: 92% of Ads Skipped by DVR Users
Web Aids Search for the Right -- or Left -- Mate
DIGITAL TV/MEDIA POLICY
COMMUNICATIONS REFORM COULD GET CAUGHT IN BIGGER FIGHT
The 9-11 Commission legislation introduced by Sens McCain (R-AZ) and=20
Lieberman (D-CT) including provisions to clear 700 MHz spectrum for=20
emergency communications by expediting the digital TV transition could get=
=20
bogged down in election year politics and a bigger fight over intelligence=
=20
reform. In the Senate, the main barrier may be Intelligence Committee=20
Chairman Roberts (R-KS) who is said to have a different approach to=20
intelligence reform than other Republicans and the White House. In the=20
House, Democratic Leader Pelosi (CA) and 100 other members introduced=20
legislation wrapping together several 9/11 Commission reforms, but without=
=20
GOP support.
[SOURCE: Communications Daily, AUTHOR: Howard Buskirk]
(Not available online)
MEDIA OWNERSHIP LIMITS MAY DEPEND ON ELECTION
Don't see much of a difference between Bush and Kerry? "Of all the issues=20
affecting the telecom-media sector, the one issue on which Bush and Kerry=20
have the most predictable differences is media ownership," said Blair=20
Levin, media regulatory analyst at investment firm Legg Mason. If President=
=20
Bush is reelected, the FCC is likely to push for the relaxation of media=20
ownership rules it approved in 2003 but were rejected by a court in June.=20
If Sen Kerry is elected, he has called for a reversal of the FCC's=20
relaxation of ownership limits. His election would mean a shake-up of the=20
five-member commission, putting Democrats in the majority and possibly=20
elevating Commissioner Michael Copps to Chairman. Waiting this out are=20
large media companies like Tribune (which owns Newsday and New York=20
television station WPIX). The company lost an appeal to lift a ban on=20
owning a TV station and newspaper in the same big-city market. Tribune "has=
=20
so much bet on this thing and they're really starting to sweat," said=20
Andrew Schwartzman, president of the Media Access Project, which represents=
=20
a group seeking strict limits on media ownership. "There's billions of=20
dollars sitting on the sidelines - transactions that are being held up."=20
The first crunch for Tribune could come Aug. 1, 2006, when its license for=
=20
TV station KTLA in Los Angeles expires, after which it has one year to=20
decide whether to drop the station or its newspaper there, the Los Angeles=
=20
Times. Pundits think that is unlikely the Supreme Court will hear Tribune's=
=20
case and that the FCC is unlikely to issue new media ownership rules before=
=20
June 2005. Those revised rules likely will have to stand court challenges=20
as well.
[SOURCE: Newsday (9/8), AUTHOR: Harry Berkowitz]
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/ny-bztrb083959362s...
,0,5729398.story
POWELL PITCHES 2009 DTV DATE
At a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the 9/11 Commission=20
recommendation to speed the return of broadcast spectrum for public safety=
=20
uses, FCC Chairman Michael Powell pitched his DTV transition proposal to=20
set 2009 as a hard date for return of the analog spectrum. A proposed bill=
=20
would set the give-back date of spectrum for channels in the 700 Mhz band=
=20
now used by 75 TV stations at Jan. 1, 2007. Chairman Powell argued that if=
=20
Congress decided to make that a hard date, it should also set the 2009 hard=
=20
date too in order to minimize the inequity of making one group of=20
broadcasters give up their channels before the rest. Paxson Chairman Bud=20
Paxson, who owns 10 stations on affected channels in the band, argued that=
=20
the 2007 takeback was unfair and a serious hardship both on his company and=
=20
his audience. When asked when he thought it would be time to take back the=
=20
channels, Paxson responded, "I can't tell you when is the second coming of=
=20
Christ and I can't tell you when it is going to be intelligent to cut off=20
all analog signals." Chairman Powell spoke to reporters after the hearing=20
saying that the transition plan does not include requiring cable systems to=
=20
carry multiple digital-broadcasting services.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA451695?display=3DBreaking+News
Powell Disinclined to Multicast Must-Carry
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA451665?display=3DBreaking+News
Powell: No Multicasting Mandate in Ferree Plan
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA451681?display=3DBreaking+News
(all require subscription)
See Chairman Powell's testimony at
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-251933A1.doc
More info on the hearing is available at:
http://commerce.senate.gov/hearings/witnesslist.cfm?id=3D1300
ADVOCATE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING RETURNS TO FIGHT IN THE DIGITAL TV ERA
Since children watch three hours of television a day, the United Church of=
=20
Christ, led by former FCC Commissioner Gloria Tristani, is fighting hard to=
=20
make sure broadcasters air programming that is educational for kids. While=
=20
at the FCC, Ms. Tristani complained that the Commission wasn't doing enough=
=20
to safeguard the nation's youths from violent programming. She bluntly=20
challenged the entertainment industry to "stop violating the minds of our=20
children." Today, Tristani attends her first FCC meeting since leaving=20
office two years ago, but she remains a fierce champion of media reform.=20
This time, she's pushing for more children's educational programming on=20
digital television =97 shows such as "Blue's Clues" and "Dora the Explorer"=
=97=20
and insiders predict a key vote will go her way. Citizen groups are=20
fighting for a change in FCC rules saying digital technology allows=20
broadcasters to "multicast" as many as five different channels=20
simultaneously, so each channel should be held to the existing standard of=
=20
three hours per week devoted to educational programming for children.=20
Broadcasters are arguing that the cap remain 3 hr per week no matter how=20
many channels they provide because there are no similar requirements for=20
cable and satellite channels.
UCC's efforts to reemerge as a leader in the broadcasting arena come 40=20
years after it helped launch the modern-media public interest movement. In=
=20
1964, the Rev. Everett C. Parker sued two Jackson, Miss., TV stations,=20
alleging that their exclusion of African Americans from the airwaves=20
violated the FCC's Fairness Doctrine and was not "in the public interest"=20
of black or white viewers.The case cemented the notion that "the public has=
=20
a right to be a party and can participate in FCC matters that have an=20
impact upon them," said former FCC Commissioner Nicholas Johnson. "That was=
=20
a major breakthrough."
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR:Jube Shiver Jr]
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-kids9sep09,1,5673242....
y?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business
(requires registration)
PUBLIC TV GROPING FOR BUSINESS MODELS FOR HDTV, MULTICASTING
Public television stations have spent more than $1 billion on the=20
conversion to digital, but they are not reaping any financial rewards yet.=
=20
Association of Public TV Stations (APTS) President John Lawson says the=20
search continues for a business model for digital offerings. He said that=20
although he was bullish on digital TV=92s revenue potential,
the =93reality is that neither we nor the commercial broadcasters have been=
=20
able to implement business plans to utilize this capacity.=94 Multicasting=
=20
may provide additional revenue streams as underwriters look to reach=20
targeted audiences, but that depends on cable carriage of all public=20
television multicast channels, said one station executive. Some stations --=
=20
especially those with large urban markets -- are examining datacasting as a=
=20
possible revenue source. APTS=92s Lawson said stations were cautious about=
=20
capitalizing on the flexibility provided by the FCC to provide ad-supported=
=20
services because they wanted to develop =93business models that produce=20
revenue consistent with our noncommercial mission.=94
[SOURCE: Communications Daily, AUTHOR: Dinesh Kumar]
(Not available online)
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
HOUSE PANEL OKs COPYRIGHT, SPYWARE BILLS
The House Judiciary Committee approved legislation that would punish=20
Internet users who distribute more than 1,000 songs through "peer to peer"=
=20
networks like Kazaa and Morpheus with up to three years in prison. Gigi=20
Sohn, President of Public Knowledge, said that the version of HR 4077=20
approved by the Judiciary Committee is an improvement over the legislation=
=20
approved by Judiciary subcommittee since it makes voluntary the program=20
under which Internet Service Providers would pass on to consumers notices=20
from the Justice Department alleging copyright infringement. But PK remains=
=20
concerned that tax payer dollars could be better spent on priorities other=
=20
than notifications of possible copyright infringement. Also, PK is=20
disappointed that the Committee has established =93offering for=
distribution=94=20
as the basis for a criminal copyright violation, and =93making available=94=
as=20
the basis for a civil violation. Those standards are far too vague, and=20
could include material stored on computers and shared on networks. The=20
bill is a departure from existing copyright principles by imposing=20
liability on those who make material available, regardless of whether there=
=20
is any infringement. The bill would train agents to investigate=20
intellectual-property crimes and set up a Justice Department program to=20
educate the public about copyright rules.
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Andy Sullivan]
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=3DinternetNews&storyID=3D6...
60
See text of Public Knowledge statement at:
http://www.publicknowledge.org/content/press-releases/press-release-9-8-...
RTNDA FIGHTS FOR SATELLITE PHOTOS
The Radio-Television News Directors Association is fighting a move by the=20
Department of Defense to forbid news organizations from using some=20
satellite images. The DoD argues that since the government buys some of=20
those photos under exclusive deals, compelled disclosure "defeats the=20
purpose of those exclusive deals, defeats the purpose of [exclusive]=20
licensing agreements, removes any profit motive," and "may damage the=20
national security by mandating disclosure to the general public upon=20
request." Congress is making these restrictions possible by adding language=
=20
to the Defense Authorization Act of 2005 that would exempt from Freedom of=
=20
Information Act requests nonclassified government satellite images. In=20
addition, the legislation would preempt state and local disclosure laws.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA451686?display=3DBreaking+News
(requires subscription)
QUICKLY
CELLPHONE TOWER RULES MAY LOOSEN UP
The cellular industry and historic preservation representatives have=20
reached an agreement that would let proposed towers in many cases bypass an=
=20
arduous review designed to protect historic properties. Instead, many=20
towers could be built near other utilities or on large commercial=20
properties, such as malls, office parks or large stores, with virtually no=
=20
federal review. "This would allow us to get the towers out in a more=20
efficient manner, so we can provide improved voice quality" and roll out=20
high-speed Internet services on cellphones, says Cingular Wireless=20
spokesman Clay Owen. The plan apparently has the backing of a majority of=20
FCC commissioners.
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR:Paul Davidson]
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20040909/celltower09.art.htm
UNLEASHING THE EDUCATIONAL POWER OF BROADBAND
The FCC will host a Symposium "Unleashing the Educational Power of=20
Broadband," on Wednesday, October 6, 2004, at FCC Headquarters. The=20
symposium will explore ways to use broadband to facilitate learning in=20
schools, libraries, and the home. Among the presenters will be=20
participants in the Schools and Libraries Universal Service program, also=20
called the "e-rate," which was established as part of the=20
Telecommunications Act of 1996 to provide affordable telecommunications=20
services for all eligible schools and libraries, especially those in rural=
=20
and economically disadvantaged areas. Speakers will also include teachers=
=20
and librarians with first-hand experience using digital resources and=20
assessing their impact on learning. The event will provide a collaborative=
=20
resource for stakeholders on how to maximize the benefits of the=20
e-rate. Panel sessions and demonstrations will focus on key questions such=
=20
as: How does broadband facilitate learning? What can broadband do for=20
students and for life long learners? How does a school integrate technology=
=20
into the learning environment and curriculum most effectively? How can=20
e-rate funds be combined with funds from other sources to maximize=20
broadband access and use in schools and libraries?
To present this full day symposium, the FCC is partnering with the=20
Institute of Museum and Library Services, an independent federal=20
grant-making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of=20
learners by helping museums and libraries serve their communities, and the=
=20
Universal Service Administrative Company, the independent not-for-profit=20
corporation that administers the Universal Service Fund.
[SOURCE: FCC]
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-251908A1.doc
CDT URGES CAUTION ON WIRETAP MANDATES FOR INTERNET
Testifying before the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the=20
Internet, Center for Democracy and Technology executive Director Jim=20
Dempsey warned that the FBI is the wrong agency to put in charge of=20
technology design for the broadband Internet, and that the 1994 CALEA=20
statute is the wrong framework for addressing law enforcement concerns=20
about tapping communications over the Internet.
[SOURCE: Center for Democracy and Technology]
http://www.cdt.org/testimony/20040908dempsey.shtml
FORRESTER: 92% OF ADS SKIPPED BY DVR USERS
New research into the behavior of TV viewers using digital-video recorders=
=20
(DVRs) indicated that they spend 60% of their TV time watching shows=20
they've delayed or recorded and that they skip 92% of the ads under those=20
conditions. The research by Forrester Research also found that: 75% of DVR=
=20
users watch some ads at least sometimes, with movie ads and promotions for=
=20
upcoming TV shows scoring highest; they watch fewer than 10% of ads about=20
credit cards, long-distance carriers, car dealers and banks; overall, ad=20
exposure drops 54% among DVR users; they enjoy watching TV more using a DVR=
=20
and only 2% of DVR users drop the service after starting; DVR owners are=20
demographically mainstream but =93are off the charts in their adoption of=20
premium-TV services and home electronics,=94 with nearly one-half saying=
they=20
have home networks.
DVRs are currently in about 5% of US homes; Forrester expects penetration=20
to reach 41% over the next five years.
[SOURCE: Multichannel News]
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA451376?display=3DBreaking+News
(requires subscription)
WEB AIDS SEARCH FOR THE RIGHT -- OR LEFT -- MATE
Mr Right or Ms Left may be just a couple of mouse clicks away. There's a=20
new crop of Web sites for political-minded singles -- check 'em out at the=
=20
URL below.
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Lisa Baertlein]
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=3DinternetNews&storyID=3D6...
03&pageNumber=3D0
--------------------------------------------------------------
Communications-related Headlines is a free online news summary service=20
provided by the Benton Foundation (www.benton.org). Posted Monday through=20
Friday, this service provides updates on important industry developments,=20
policy issues, and other related news events. While the summaries are=20
factually accurate, their often informal tone does not always represent the=
=20
tone of the original articles. Headlines are compiled by Kevin Taglang=20
(headlines( at )benton.org) -- we welcome your comments.
--------------------------------------------------------------