For upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org/calendar.htm
TELEVISION
Commerce Wants Public-Interest 'Guidelines'
Panel Scraps McCain DTV-Transition Deadline
Commerce OK's Captioning Cash
INDECENCY
Indecency Fines for Viacom-Owned CBS Stations for Halftime Show
Bad Mouth or Free Mouth, He Ruffles Genteel Airwaves
INTERNET
Barton Wants E-Rate Funding Reform With Local Money Added
House Could Vote on Spyware Bill Next Week
WIRELESS
Senate Panel Weighs In On Wireless Directory
Nextel Says FCC Undervalued Deal
Indians Answer Cellphones' Call
African Leaders Seek More Cell Phones, Computers
JOURNALISM
Journalism Must Evolve -- and Quickly
TELEVISION
COMMERCE WANTS PUBLIC-INTEREST 'GUIDELINES'
The Senate Commerce Committee approved an amendment, offered by Sen Frank=20
Lautenberg (D-NJ), to the digital TV transition bill that would the have=20
the FCC set guidelines for locally originated, public affairs and=20
independently produced programming that TV stations should air, guidelines=
=20
it could refer to when deciding whether to renew licenses. Broadcasters=20
have long argued against specific obligations as an infringement on their=20
free-speech rights and insist most already meet their obligations without=20
government quotas. The legislation mandates that the FCC wrap up its review=
=20
of the need for public interest obligations by Jan. 1, 2005.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Bill McConnell ]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA455236?display=3DBreaking+New...
ferral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)
PANEL SCRAPS MCCAIN DTV-TRANSITION DEADLINE
The Senate Commerce Committee voted Wednesday to scrap a plan sponsored by=
=20
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) that would have ended the digital-TV transition by=
=20
2009 in order to free up spectrum for police, fire and rescue units for=20
emergency communications. The panel adopted an amendment that would require=
=20
TV stations to give back 24 megahertz total -- channels 63, 64, 68 and 69=20
-- no later than Dec. 31, 2007. The amendment would allow the Federal=20
Communications Commission to waive the spectrum surrender if necessary to=20
avoid =93consumer disruption.=94 It was sponsored by Sens. Conrad Burns=
(R-MT)=20
and Ernest Hollings (D-SC). Now the debate shifts to the FCC. The agency is=
=20
expected to vote Nov. 9 on a plan that would track with Sen McCain=92s=20
legislation by ending the digital-TV transition Dec. 31, 2008.
NAB President Fritts said, "Today's vote balances the legitimate needs of=20
public safety providers while limiting the disruption of local television=20
service to millions of consumers. NAB thanks Sens. Stevens, Burns, Hollings=
=20
and Inouye - along with other Senators who supported the Burns amendment -=
=20
for recognizing the importance of a vibrant, universal and free system of=20
local broadcasting."
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA455136?display=3DBreaking+News
(requires subscription)
http://www.nab.org/Newsroom/PressRel/statements/092204dtvbill.htm
See also --
* McCain's Digital Conversion Measure Defeated
http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=3D6355
* Senate Panel Votes to Transfer TV Airwaves to Safety Groups
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43296-2004Sep22.html
(requires registration)
COMMERCE OK'S CAPTIONING CASH
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration would issue=
=20
$20 million in competitive grants to schools to train closed captioners for=
=20
television broadcasts under a bill approved by the Senate Commerce=20
Committee Wednesday. The grants would cover classroom training, curriculum=
=20
development, student recruitment, scholarships, distance learning, and job=
=20
placement. The country has only 10% of the 3,000 captioners needed to help=
=20
stations fulfill their requirement to caption all broadcasts for the hard=20
of hearing by 2006.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Bill McConnell]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA455249?display=3DBreaking+New...
ferral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)
INDECENCY
INDECENCY FINES FOR VIACOM-OWNED CBS STATIONS FOR HALFTIME SHOW
On Wednesday the FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture=20
of $550,000 against various subsidiaries of Viacom for apparently willfully=
=20
broadcasting indecent material during the February 1, 2004 Super Bowl=20
XXXVIII halftime show. The show contained a musical performance that=20
concluded with Justin Timberlake pulling off part of Janet Jackson's=20
clothing, exposing her breast. The Commission found that this partial=20
nudity was, in the context of the broadcast, in apparent violation of the=20
broadcast indecency standard. It proposed the statutory maximum amount=20
against each of the Viacom-owned CBS licensees of the 20 television=20
stations that aired the show due to the involvement of Viacom/CBS in the=20
planning and approval of the telecast and the history of indecency=20
violations committed by Viacom's Infinity Broadcasting Corporation=20
subsidiaries. Although the Commission found that other, non-Viacom owned=20
CBS affiliates also aired the material, it did not propose forfeitures=20
against them because of the unexpected nature of the halftime show and the=
=20
apparent lack of involvement in the selection, planning, and approval of=20
the telecast by these non-Viacom owned affiliates.
[SOURCE: FCC]
Press Release:=20
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-252384A1.doc
Notice: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-209AA1.doc
As you might imagine, a number of people have something to say about this=20
decision. Here's links to:
* Statements from Commissioners:
Powell: The U.S. Constitution is generous in its protection of free=20
expression, but it is not a license to thrill. Anything goes is not an=20
acceptable mantra for those that elect to earn their profit using the=20
public=92s airwaves.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-209A2.doc
Copps: Said he felt all CBS affiliates should have been fined since they=20
all aired the show -- and it may send wrong message that stations may "pass=
=20
through" indecent content.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-209A3.doc
Martin: Other aspects of the halftime show should have been addressed.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-209A4.doc
Adelstein: After all the bold talk, it=92s a slap on the wrist that can be=
=20
paid with just 7=BD seconds of Super Bowl ad time. The $550,000 fine=
measures=20
up to only about a dollar per complaint for the more than 542,000=20
complaints that flooded into the FCC after the broadcast.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-209A5.doc
Reactions --
* FCC Falls Short in Fining CBS Affiliates for Indecent Super Bowl Show
http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/release/2004/0922.asp
Additional coverage --
* FCC Issues Jackson Fine
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA455118?display=3DBreaking+New...
ferral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)
* FCC to Fine Viacom
http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=3D6352
* CBS Is Fined $550,000 for Super Bowl Incident
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/23/business/media/23fine.html
(requires registration)
* FCC Throws Flag at CBS's Halftime Play
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41557-2004Sep22.html
(requires registration)
* CBS Tackles 1 Scandal, Is Fined for a 2nd
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-cbs23sep23,1,698...
.story?coll=3Dla-news-a_section
* CBS Fined $550K for Jackson Breast Exposure
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA455235?display=3DBreaking+News
(requires subscription)
BAD MOUTH OF FREE MOUTH, HE RUFFLES GENTEEL AIRWAVES
If freedom of expression has limits in Canada, Jean-Fran=E7ois Fillion is=20
testing them as the radio shock jock whom both federal regulators and=20
Quebec separatists want to silence. Mr. Fillion's gossip about politicians=
=20
and competing radio personalities is often abusive and unsubstantiated, but=
=20
hardly shocking to American listeners, inured to years of Howard Stern's=20
rantings. What is perhaps different about Mr. Fillion is that his mix of=20
mischief, conservative populist politics and angry musings against the=20
traditional Quebec elites has made him a hero among Quebec City's young and=
=20
disenfranchised and a political force establishment politicians now fear to=
=20
take on.
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Clifford Krauss]
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/23/international/americas/23quebec.html
(requires registration)
INTERNET
BARTON WANTS E-RATE FUNDING REFORM WITH LOCAL MONEY ADDED
The federal E-rate program should be revamped so more of the funding comes=
=20
from local taxes, House Commerce Committee Chairman Barton (R-TX) said=20
Wednesday at the 3rd investigative hearing into the program held by the=20
committee=92s Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee. Rep Barton said=20
requiring local governments to provide more of the money for E-rate=20
projects to provide Internet connections for schools and libraries might=20
mean better accountability. Rep Barton also questioned whether the program=
=20
still needed $2.25 billion a year, especially after FCC Wireline Bureau=20
Chief Jeffrey Carlisle said more than 90% of schools have Internet=20
connections. Carlisle said funds are still needed to maintain existing=20
services. Rep Barton responded that =93if there is money, there are people=
=20
who will ask for it.=94 He said he understood the concern about poorer=20
schools and maybe Congress could set up a loan program to handle that=20
problem. Perhaps it could work this way, he said: If funds were spent=20
properly, the loan wouldn't have to be repaid.
[SOURCE: Communications Daily, AUTHOR: Edie Herman]
(Not available online)
http://energycommerce.house.gov/108/Hearings/09222004hearing1358/hearing...
HOUSE COULD VOTE ON SPYWARE BILL NEXT WEEK
The U.S. House of Representatives will vote as soon as next week on a=20
measure to crack down on deceptive "spyware" that hides in users' computers=
=20
and secretly monitors their activities. The bill is expected to pass by a=20
wide margin thanks to the backing of high-tech. The Senate approved similar=
=20
legislation on Wednesday. Spyware can sap computing power, crash machines=20
and bury users under a blizzard of unwanted ads. It can capture passwords,=
=20
credit-card numbers and other sensitive data.
[SOURCE: Reuters]
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=3DO2GUGJH3YXT1ICRBAE...
A?type=3DtechnologyNews&storyID=3D6307487
WIRELESS
SENATE PANEL WEIGHS IN ON WIRELESS DIRECTORY
The Senate Commerce Committee voted yesterday to require cell phone=20
companies to get the approval of individual customers before listing their=
=20
wireless phone numbers in public directories. The wireless industry was=20
quick to criticize the Commerce Committee's vote yesterday, saying it was=20
an attempt to regulate a service before it has even been launched. "It is=20
unnecessary for the government to dictate best practices on a competitive=20
industry with such a stellar record. This is a service that many of our=20
consumers are demanding, especially those in the small business community=20
who have cut the cord and are totally wireless," Steve Largent, chief=20
executive of the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, said.
The bill now awaits a vote by the full Senate.
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Christopher Stern]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43295-2004Sep22.html
(requires registration)
NEXTEL SAYS FCC UNDERVALUED DEAL
In a filing with the FCC late Tuesday, Nextel said the FCC underestimated=20
the reach of its network, and therefore undervalued the airwaves Nextel=20
would give up. Instead of the $1.6 billion in credit that the FCC planned=20
to permit for the old airwaves, the company contends they are worth $740=20
million more using the commission's own formula. Nextel said the airwaves=20
are worth $452 million more using a formula based on updated, more detailed=
=20
information.
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Yuki Noguchi]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43297-2004Sep22.html
(requires registration)
INDIANS ANSWER CELLPHONES' CALL
Cellphones -- ubiquitous in so much of the world -- are taking off in=20
India, yet another outgrowth of its economic liberalization. India has been=
=20
late to the mobile-phone party as the industry for years remained tangled=20
in nettlesome regulations, licensing disputes and legal fights over who=20
could peddle which kinds of phones and where. It is only in the past 10=20
months that rules have been clarified to the extent that companies feel=20
comfortable enough to launch price wars, build bigger networks, bombard=20
consumers with ads and recruit armies of distributors and retailers.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Eric Bellman eric.bellman( at )awsj.com]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109589577371325542,00.html?mod=3Dtoda...
s_page_one
(requires subscription)
AFRICAN LEADERS SEEK MORE CELL PHONES, COMPUTERS
The president of Senegal announced at the UN General Assembly meeting that=
=20
African leaders will launch a global fund to help people in poor countries=
=20
buy mobile phones and Internet access as a step out of poverty and into=20
economic growth. The new fund, pooling voluntary contributions solicited=20
from buyers of high-tech goods in wealthy nations, will be launched in=20
Geneva on Nov. 17.
[SOURCE: Reuters]
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=3DO2GUGJH3YXT1ICRBAE...
A?type=3DtechnologyNews&storyID=3D6307946
JOURNALISM
JOURNALISM MUST EVOLVE -- AND QUICKLY
[Commentary] In the Age of Information, journalism has to offer something=20
better. It needs a more credible, highly processed product. Editing should=
=20
be gaining importance relative to reporting. Ease of use is one way to add=
=20
value to information. Another way is to make it credible. And to do this,=20
journalists need to borrow some of the tools of science. Scientific method=
=20
is designed to let us ask questions of nature without being fooled by the=20
answer. Its objectivity is in its method, not in giving equal weight to all=
=20
of the possible answers as journalists are wont to do. Two key aspects of=20
scientific method that journalists need to adopt are transparency and=20
replication. Meyer concludes: With all of the noisy buzz of the information=
=20
age clamoring for our attention, we want calm voices that can convince us=20
that they spend the resources to investigate and present the truth. Trust=20
has become another scarce good. If the natural-selection process of the=20
marketplace still works, truth-tellers will prevail in the long run. The=20
news-consuming public will insist on it.
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: Philip Meyer, Knight Professor of Journalism at=
=20
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.]
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20040923/oplede23.art.htm
See also --
Media Titans, you're not alone
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20040923/opcom23.art.htm
--------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------