For upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org/calendar.htm
MEDIA
Parents, Media and Public Policy
Dan Rather And the Decline Of Media Power
New Media Era Dawns in U.S.
Senate Commerce Committee Approval of Public Interest
Guidelines for Broadcasters
OWNERSHIP
News Corp Seeks Media Ownership Waiver
Sony Group Signs Final MGM Deal; Comcast Joins Mix
CELL PHONES
Senate Committee Beefs Up, Approves Cell Phone Number Privacy Protections
Headset Phones May Still Pose Risks for Drivers
QUICKLY
VeriSign Touts Childrens' Online Identity Token
Senate Committee Approves Spyware Bill
Microsoft Sues Web Hoster, Others Over Spam
Spectrum for Advanced Wireless Services
The Public's Responsibilities in Permit-But-Disclose Proceedings
MEDIA
PARENTS, MEDIA AND PUBLIC POLICY
A majority of parents say they are =93very=94 concerned about the amount of=
sex=20
(60%) and violence (53%) their children are exposed to on TV, according to=
=20
a new national survey of parents released today by the Henry J. Kaiser=20
Family Foundation. And after being read arguments on both sides of the=20
issue, nearly two-thirds of parents (63%) say they favor new regulations to=
=20
limit the amount of sex and violence in TV shows during the early evening=20
hours, when children are most likely to be watching (35% are opposed).=20
Overall parents are more concerned about inappropriate content on TV than=20
in other media: 34% say TV concerns them most, compared to 16% who say the=
=20
Internet, 10% movies, 7% music, and 5% video games. Half (50%) of all=20
parents say they have used the TV ratings to help guide their children=92s=
=20
viewing, including one in four (24%) who say they use them =93often.=94=
While=20
use of the V-Chip has increased substantially since 2001 (when 7% of all=20
parents said they used it), it remains modest at just 15% of all parents,=20
or about four in 10 (42%) of those who report having a V-Chip equipped TV.
Find the survey report at=20
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/loader.cfm?url=3D/commonspot/security/getfil...
m&PageID=3D46689
[SOURCE: Kaiser Family Foundation Press Release]
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia092304nr.cfm
There's more at:
http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia092304pkg.cfm
Also see --
Poll: Parents Favor Violence Regs
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA455397?display=3DBreaking+New...
ferral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)
DAN RATHER AND THE DECLINE OF MEDIA POWER
[Commentary] The standard media model may be faltering and in the future=20
the way people get information about an event like Iraq will be different.=
=20
For years, there has been a saying that major media "sets the agenda." The=
=20
major networks and newspapers control content and define context. They get=
=20
to shape public perceptions about events by deciding what is left out of=20
stories. At its best, this is good editing. But too often now, it is=20
deciding how to bury or kill facts that weaken a story's main thesis. This=
=20
election has been a watershed for the rising power of alternative media in=
=20
the U.S. We saw Howard Dean's remarkable Internet fund-raising machine kick=
=20
in, the rise of the 527 groups, the Swift boat vets' campaign and now=20
bloggers with Web sites swarming CBS's false blockbuster, like antibodies.=
=20
Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show" is also a kind of alternative. The mama is=20
FOX Cable News. What is most important to understanding the rise and=20
apparent success of these alternatives is that there is clearly a hunger=20
and market for what they offer. A big market that will only grow when PC=20
screens truly function as televisions. The definition of "media" seems to=20
expand every six months. How long can it be before viable information=20
networks form around images and data sent from the little one-pixel cameras=
=20
on cellphones?
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR:Daniel Henninger henninger( at )wsj.com]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109598110578626711,00.html?mod=3Dtoda...
s_opinion
(requires subscription)
Also see:
Rather Problematic
The CBS case is not about careless errors or lazy editing. It's about the=20
blind determination to run with the story, about a violation of every=20
journalistic caution to get the hit on the air.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109597908985426604,00.html?mod=3Dtoda...
s_weekend_journal
(requires subscription)
NEW MEDIA ERA DAWNS IN U.S.
Gone is the long-standing reliance of almost all Americans on a handful of=
=20
mass media outlets that reported the news in similar ways. Instead,=20
hundreds of new outlets offer Americans distinctive approaches to stories,=
=20
and many people have gravitated to the outlets that they believe most=20
reflect their own views. At the same time, increasing numbers of people are=
=20
relying on new forms of media such as Web logs and Internet sites to=20
supplement and even replace newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and both=
=20
broadcast networks and cable TV channels. The result, some say, is a nation=
=20
in which news consumers sometimes believe only what they see, hear or read=
=20
on the outlets they prefer =97 and label as biased or false the information=
=20
that doesn't jibe with their points of view. That kind of choice has ripple=
=20
effects not only for mainstream media, but also for the way society forms=20
its opinions and the way politicians and other idea salespeople get their=20
messages to the public.
[SOURCE: Detroit News, AUTHOR: Lisa Zagaroli. Michael H. Hodges, and Jim=
Lynch]
http://www.detnews.com/2004/politics/0409/22/a01-281440.htm
SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF PUBLIC INTEREST GUIDELINES FOR=20
BROADCASTERS
On Wednesday, in a Senate Commerce Committee proceeding that was, on the=20
whole, favorable to broadcasters=92 interests, media reformers achieved one=
=20
significant victory: In a bipartisan vote of 13 to 10, the Committee=20
approved an amendment by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) that directs the=20
FCC to set specific public interest guidelines for broadcasters. Among=20
Committee members voting for the amendment were Senate Commerce Committee=20
Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME). The amendment=20
directs the FCC to establish =93minimum quantitative guidelines for locally=
=20
originated programming, local electoral and public affairs programming, and=
=20
independently produced programming for television broadcast=20
licensees.=94 The amendment also directs the FCC, when it is reviewing=20
broadcaster license renewals, to consider the extent to which broadcasters=
=20
comply with these guidelines. The Senate sent a clear and unarguable signal=
=20
to the FCC today that this agency must take seriously the public interest=20
obligations of broadcasters. The PIPA Coalition [which includes the Benton=
=20
Foundation] will work hard to ensure that today=92s Senate vote leads to FCC=
=20
approval of strong public interest guidelines.
[SOURCE: Common Cause Press Release]
http://www.commoncause.org/news/default.cfm?ArtID=3D395
OWNERSHIP
NEWS CORP SEEKS MEDIA OWNERSHIP WAIVER
Rupert Murdoch's News Corp is seeking a permanent waiver from the FCC's=20
newspaper-broadcast crossownership rule so that the company can continue to=
=20
own both the New York Post and TV station's WWOR/Ch 9 and WNYW/Ch 5. News=20
Corp claims continued uncertainty over whether the rule will be enforced=20
"threatens the continued development of the Post." Andrew Jay Schwartzman,=
=20
president of the Media Access Project, said News Corp's holdings give it=20
too much media power in the New York market and so it should be forced to=20
sell one of them to comply with the existing FCC rules. "Owning two VHF TV=
=20
stations and a daily newspaper won't pass muster with any analysis the FCC=
=20
could come up with," Mr. Schwartzman said. "Newspapers and television=20
stations are the most powerful forces shaping public opinion."
[SOURCE: Newsday, AUTHOR: Harry Berkowitz]
http://www.nynewsday.com/business/ny-bzpost0924,0,3006445.story
SONY GROUP SIGNS FINAL MGM DEAL; COMCAST JOINS MIX
The board of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer approved the Sony-led deal to buy the=20
last independent movie studio for $2.94 billion plus the assumption of=20
about $2 billion in MGM debt. Cable giant Comcast agreed to invest $300=20
million in the deal extending a separate strategic partnership it forged=20
with Sony earlier this month. As part of that partnership, the two=20
companies entered a venture to develop cable channels together. Sony also=20
will license movies -- both its own and MGM's -- for Comcast's=20
video-on-demand service. Sony will add Hollywood's biggest movie library to=
=20
its arsenal. In all, the entity will boast a combined 8,000 titles. The=20
deal will give Sony added clout in the impending battle over the format for=
=20
the next generation of DVDs. The deal is subject to approval of regulators=
=20
and MGM shareholders; the parties hope to close the deal by mid-2005.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Merissa Marr at merissa.marr( at )wsj.com]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109597813896526543,00.html?mod=3Dtoda...
s_marketplace
(requires subscription)
LATimes
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-mgm24sep24,1,2672325....
y?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business
Multichannle News:
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA455556?display=3DBreaking+News
(requires subscription)
TVWeek:
http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=3D6371
See also:
Comcast's Big Bet on Content
An interview with Comcast CEO Brian Roberts. He describes how he's=20
preparing Comcast for the future as it faces increasing competition from=20
satellite-TV operators and phone companies.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109598311359726796,00.html?mod=3Dtoda...
s_marketplace
(requires subscription)
CELL PHONES
SENATE COMMITTEE BEEFS UP, APPROVES CELL PHONE NUMBER PRIVACY PROTECTIONS
Consumers Union applauded Senate Commerce Committee members for approving a=
=20
bill that would give cell phone customers control over their phone numbers,=
=20
and is urging a House panel to do the same next week when it considers the=
=20
bill, to ensure the privacy protections can become law before the wireless=
=20
industry launches its 411 directory. =93Public support for this bill is=20
overwhelming, and Congress needs to pass it now because the wireless=20
industry is expected to launch a 411 directory within the coming months,=94=
=20
said Janee Briesemeister, director of Consumers Union=92s=20
www.EscapeCellHell.org project, noting that 15,000 consumers have e-mailed=
=20
Congress through the Web site in support of the bill. =93Without these=20
protections in law, many consumers may find in a few months that their=20
private cell phone number is no longer private,=94 Briesemeister said. The=
=20
Senate panel approved S. 1963, the =93Wireless 411 Privacy Act,=94 that=
would=20
prohibit cell phone companies from charging new fees to customers who want=
=20
to keep their number out of the directory. An amendment offered by Sen.=20
Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) was approved on a 12-10 vote that would require=20
all customers first give their permission in writing to be in the=20
directory. The bill as introduced only required existing customers to give=
=20
permission to be listed; new customers would have been listed in the=20
directory unless they =93opted-out.=94 =93We thank Senator Boxer and the=
other=20
committee members who put consumers=92 privacy concerns above the interests=
=20
of the wireless industry,=94 said Susanna Montezemolo, CU policy advocate.=
=20
=93By making sure the companies get permission before they place a number in=
=20
the database, all customers will enjoy the same high level of privacy=20
protection.=94
[SOURCE: Consumers Union Press Release]
http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_telecom_and_utilities/001384.html...
e
The wireless industry lobby group, CTIA, responded with this statement:
"Fire, ready, aim is the approach the Senate Commerce Committee took today=
=20
on legislating Wireless 411 service. This is a service that has yet to be=20
introduced. The Wireless industry has a proven track record of innovation,=
=20
lower prices, and protecting customers=92 privacy. It is unnecessary for the=
=20
government to dictate best practices on a competitive industry with such a=
=20
stellar record. This is a service that many of our consumers are demanding,=
=20
especially those in the small business community who have cut the cord and=
=20
are totally wireless."
http://www.ctia.org/news_media/press/body.cfm?record_id=3D1437
See also
http://commerce.senate.gov/newsroom/printable.cfm?id=3D226657
HEADSET PHONES MAY STILL POSE RISKS FOR DRIVERS
Wireless carriers and automakers are encouraging use of "hands-free"=20
devices for cell phones. Researchers, however, continue to raise questions=
=20
about the potential dangers of talking on the phone while driving --=20
regardless of whether the driver is holding a cellphone or using a headset.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Jesse Drucker at=
jesse.drucker( at )wsj.com]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109599238867526997,00.html?mod=3Dtoda...
s_marketplace
(requires subscription)
QUICKLY
VERISIGN TOUTS CHILDREN'S ONLINE IDENTITY TOKEN
VeriSign and i-Safe America unveiled the i-Stik token which, when inserted=
=20
in a computer's USB port, provides verification of a child's age and=20
gender. The token will be available free to students in a handful of=20
schools this fall. School administrators will provide a list of students,=20
with their ages and genders, and VeriSign will encode that information onto=
=20
the tokens. The program will be expanded to thousands of schools across the=
=20
country starting in the spring of 2005.
[SOURCE: Reuters]
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=3DOCE5TMBOSHM0UCRBAE...
A?type=3DtechnologyNews&storyID=3D6318959
SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES SPYWARE BILL
The Senate Commerce Committee approved a revised version of the Burns-Wyden=
=20
"SPYBLOCK" Act on September 22. The bill would give the Federal Trade=20
Commission authority over a variety of spyware-related activities, and=20
would make covert installation of software illegal. Anti-spyware=20
legislation has now been approved by Committees in both the House and=20
Senate, and is awaiting consideration by the full membership in both houses.
Text of S 2145: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:s.02145:
CDT's Spyware Page:
http://www.cdt.org/privacy/spyware/
[SOURCE: Center for Democracy and Technology]
(http://www.cdt.org)
See also:
http://commerce.senate.gov/newsroom/printable.cfm?id=3D226651
MICROSOFT SUES WEB HOSTER, OTHERS OVER SPAM
Microsoft filed nine new lawsuits against spammers who send unsolicited=20
e-mail, including an e-mail marketing Web hosting company. Microsoft has=20
launched a barrage of lawsuits against spammers over the past year in an=20
attempt to curb the spread of unsolicited e-mail.
[SOURCE: Reuters]
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=3DinternetNews&storyID=3D6...
50
SPECTRUM FOR ADVANCED WIRELESS SERVICES
On September 9, the FCC provided an additional twenty megahertz of spectrum=
=20
that can be used to offer a variety of broadband and advanced wireless=20
services (AWS), potentially including "third generation" (3G) wireless=20
services. The Commission also asked for public comment on licensing,=20
technical, and operational rules to govern the use of the 1915-1920 MHz,=20
1995-2000 MHz, 2020-2025 MHz, and 2175-2180 MHz bands designated for AWS.=20
On Wednesday, these documents were made available online.
[SOURCE: FCC]
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-219A1.doc
THE PUBLIC'S RESPONSIBILITIES IN PERMIT-BUT DISCLOSE PROCEEDINGS
The disclosure requirements include the following: 1) Any written material=
=20
shown to Commission personnel during the course of a meeting, even if the=20
materials are not left with the staff, are deemed written presentations and=
=20
must be filed; 2) Persons orally presenting data or arguments not already=20
reflected in their written submissions in the proceeding must file=20
summaries of the new data or arguments; 3) Status inquiries must be=20
disclosed if they: a) state or imply a view as to the merits or outcome of=
=20
a proceeding, b) state why timing is important to a particular party or=20
indicate a date by which a proceeding should be resolved, or c) otherwise=20
address the merits or outcome or influence the timing of a proceeding; 4)=20
The duty to ensure the adequacy of ex parte notices rests with the person=20
making the presentation; and 5) Violations of the ex parte rules may result=
=20
in a person's disqualification from participating in a proceeding
[SOURCE: FCC]
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-3040A1.doc
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...and we are outta here. Have a great weekend. Go Cubs!
--------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------