NEWS FROM THE FCC
FCC Vote on the Deal for BellSouth Is Put Off
AT&T Urges FCC To Reject More Conditions On Merger
Black Mayors take Stand on AT&T/BellSouth Merger
A New Opportunity to Craft Media Ownership Rules
FCC Committee Adopts 2nd Media Ownership Recommendation
Cross-Ownership Muddies Tribune Sale
FCC Endorses Broadband over Powerline
Order to Streamline FM Table of Allotments and AM Community
of License Procedures
MEDIA OWNERSHIP
Net Neutrality Is Aimed At Small Firms, Google Says
Media's New Masters
NEWS FROM NTIA
Digital to Analog Converter Box Coupon Public Meetings
Commerce Spectrum Advisory Committee Announced
BROADCASTING
Election Advertising Boost
Stations Log Record Windfall
'Free=92 TV, But at What Price?
` Sinclair No Longer Gets "The Point"
KIDS & MEDIA
Somebody Listens to Parents!
The Mixed Message to Kids
Federal Censorship Commission?
Early Hour for War Series, Salty Language and All
MEDIA & ELECTIONS
Online Player in the Game of Politics
Gaming the Search Engine, in a Political Season
QUICKLY -- Do the Rights of the Disabled Extend=20
to the Blind on the Web?; Newspapers to Test Plan=20
to Sell Ads on Google; Hollywood Puts the Squeeze=20
on Talent; Minneapolis going wireless; Taking Aim=20
at TV's Bandwidth Jam; McGannon Book Award; CDT=20
Promotes Process to Expand Internet Access Globally
NEWS FROM THE FCC
FCC VOTE ON THE DEAL FOR BELLSOUTH IS PUT OFF
[SOURCE: New York Times 11/3, AUTHOR: Ken Belson]
The Federal Communications Commission delayed=20
voting on AT&T=92s purchase of BellSouth for the=20
third time as the Commissioners remained far=20
apart on what, if any, terms to impose on the $80=20
billion deal. The Commissioners were supposed to=20
vote at a regularly scheduled meeting Friday.=20
Last month, they delayed votes twice on the deal,=20
which was announced in March. No other meetings=20
are scheduled this month, though the=20
Commissioners could hold a vote at any time. But=20
the Republican and Democratic Commissioners, as=20
well as the companies, are not making much=20
progress in reaching an agreement. The FCC is the=20
only organization remaining that must endorse the=20
deal. The companies have already won approval=20
from their shareholders, state regulators and the Justice Department.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/03/business/03phone.html
(requires registration)
* Progress has slowed on AT&T/BellSouth
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin=20
Martin said on Friday progress had slowed on=20
reaching a compromise to approve AT&T's=20
acquisition of BellSouth. "We have made=20
progress," Chairman Martin told reporters after=20
the FCC's public meeting. "I always try to work=20
with my colleagues but I think we're still pretty=20
far apart and I think the progress has slowed."=20
Martin needs to either negotiate with fellow=20
Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan=20
Adelstein or seek a ruling from the FCC's general=20
counsel to permit Commissioner Robert McDowell to=20
vote. McDowell has said he would not vote on the=20
acquisition because he previously worked for a=20
group that represented AT&T and BellSouth=20
competitors. Chairman Martin left the door open=20
to the latter option saying, "I've been focused=20
up until now, up until today, on just trying to=20
make sure that we work through all the different=20
alternatives that any of the commissioners have=20
proposed. We're going to continue to end up doing=20
that, but we do have to take a step back and try=20
to figure where we should end up going from here. "
http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?type=3DgovernmentFil...
sNews&storyID=3D2006-11-03T161600Z_01_N03364273_RTRIDST_0_TELECOMS-BELLSOUT=
H-FCC.XML
* FCC Delays AT&T Merger Vote Again
http://www.redherring.com/Article.aspx?a=3D19545&hed=3DFCC+Delays+AT%26a...
3BT+Merger+Vote+Again
AT&T URGES FCC TO REJECT MORE CONDITIONS ON MERGER
[SOURCE: Technology Daily 11/2, AUTHOR: David Hatch]
AT&T and BellSouth have urged the FCC to reject=20
all requests by competitors and critics for=20
additional conditions to be imposed on their=20
proposed $80 billion union. "There are no new=20
facts to gather, no new proposals to consider,=20
and [there is] nothing more to do," the companies=20
wrote in a letter dated last Friday that surfaced=20
this week. AT&T, which recently outlined a series=20
of conditions that the merger partners support,=20
said the FCC should reject efforts by their=20
opponents to saddle them with more restrictions.=20
"While competitors continue to clamor for=20
handouts, and while inside-the-Beltway interest=20
groups continue to press their own narrow and=20
misguided policy agendas, none of their proposals=20
is remotely related to any real merger-specific=20
harm," the companies wrote. They argued that this=20
reason alone is sufficient to reject demands for=20
more requirements. The letter was submitted to=20
the FCC just before a week-long "sunshine" period=20
when regulators cannot discuss the transaction with outside parties.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-SLFJ1162480501136.html
THREE BLACK MAYORS TAKE LONELY STAND ON AT&T/BELLSOUTH MERGER
[SOURCE: Lasar's Letter on the FCC, AUTHOR: Matthew Lasar]
As the FCC struggles for consensus on AT&T's=20
proposed acquisition of BellSouth, one aspect of=20
the public filing record stands clear: minority=20
advocacy groups overwhelmingly support the union.=20
The National Association for the Advancement of=20
Colored People (NAACP), Jesse Jackson's Operation=20
Rainbow Push, and other regional civil rights=20
groups have all submitted statements on behalf of=20
the $67.1 billion deal, which will create an=20
entity that serves up almost half the telephone=20
land lines in the United States. But Mayors Ray=20
Nagin of New Orleans, Kwame Kilpatrick of=20
Detroit, and Eric Perrodin of Compton are again=20
expressing concerns about AT&T and BellSouth's=20
performance in inner-city areas. Calling=20
themselves the Concerned Mayors Alliance (CMA),=20
they cite studies and newspaper reports=20
suggesting that AT&T redlines minority=20
neighborhoods -- systematically denying or=20
delaying service to low-income ethnic areas.=20
Their comments at the FCC describe these regions=20
as the "last wired and the last hired," and=20
expressed concern that the merger could reduce=20
opportunities for minority contractors. Their=20
filing also charges that minority neighborhood=20
residents often receive shoddy service from AT&T.
http://www.lasarletter.net/drupal/node/188
A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO CRAFT MEDIA OWNERSHIP RULES
[SOURCE: San Francisco Chronicle 11/5, AUTHOR:=20
FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein]
[Commentary] The public airwaves belong to the=20
public. In the exchange for the free use of the=20
airwaves, radio and television broadcasters are=20
required to serve the needs of your community.=20
It's the job of the Federal Communications=20
Commission to ensure that the airwaves foster a=20
competitive, diverse and locally responsive media=20
marketplace. The FCC sets limits on media=20
ownership that affects every citizen's exposure=20
to news, information and entertainment=20
programming. The laws that govern the FCC say we=20
are to maximize the diversity of viewpoints to=20
which Americans are exposed. We are not to allow=20
a few media giants to dominate our media=20
landscape. Three years ago, three million=20
citizens nationwide, from the left of the=20
political spectrum, to the right, and virtually=20
everyone in between, expressed their opposition=20
to a FCC plan to relax media ownership rules.=20
Eventually, an appeals court sent the rules back=20
to the FCC, and chastised the agency for its=20
failure to make sensible rules that served the=20
public's need for competition, localism and=20
diversity. We need to continue to hear your voice=20
about the effects of media consolidation in your=20
communities. Share your concerns on media=20
ownership and inform us about the types of=20
programs that will most benefit your local=20
communities. I urge you to provide insight on how=20
the FCC can best ensure an open rule-making=20
process, so that we can serve the public interest=20
with maximum effectiveness. Remember, your views=20
can influence media policy decisions that affect=20
people across the nation for generations to come.=20
I will do everything in my power to ensure that,=20
in the pending review of media ownership rules,=20
we are more receptive to the views of the public.=20
After all, the law says we are to promote the=20
public interest, not the interests of the media=20
companies that use the public airwaves.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/chronicle/archive/2006...
/05/EDGMQKEJEM1.DTL
CONSUMER ADVISORY COMMITTEE ADOPTS SECOND MEDIA OWNERSHIP RECOMMENDATION
[SOURCE: Benton Foundation]
November 3 The Federal Communication Commission's=20
Consumer Advisory Committee, which includes the=20
Benton Foundation, adopted a recommendation on=20
the 2006 Quadrennial Regulatory Review of the=20
Commission's Media Ownership Rules. The=20
recommendation asks the FCC to adopt media=20
ownership rules that promote: 1) Promote local=20
ownership of broadcast outlets; 2)Competition as=20
manifested through increased responsiveness to=20
community needs and increased diversity of=20
programming; and 3) Promote ownership=20
opportunities for minorities, women and people=20
with disabilities. In addition, the=20
recommendation reiterates the CAC's previous call=20
to compile a complete record and issue specific=20
rules changes for public comment -- and asks the=20
Commission to aggressively enforce its media ownership rules.
http://www.benton.org/benton_files/ownershipamended.doc
CROSS-OWNERSHIP MUDDIES TRIBUNE SALE
[SOURCE: Washington Post 11/3, AUTHOR: Frank Ahrens]
The Tribune Co. eyes an uncertain future as it=20
sorts through bids from potential buyers. One=20
thing is clear, however: Any new owner faces=20
numerous regulatory hurdles and is going to spend=20
plenty of time and money in Washington and in=20
court. The Chicago-based media giant owns 11=20
television stations and 25 newspapers, some in=20
the same city -- a violation of Federal=20
Communications Commission rules on what it calls=20
"cross-ownership." Tribune has received FCC=20
waivers that allow it to keep the properties in=20
violation, at least temporarily. But those=20
waivers will not convey to a new owner. And any=20
new owner will face continued waiver challenges=20
from advocacy groups that oppose media=20
consolidation. The first challenge was filed with=20
the FCC November 2. "Anybody looking to buy the=20
whole [Tribune] package is buying a lot of=20
uncertainty," said Andrew Jay Schwartzman,=20
president of the Media Access Project, an=20
advocacy group that generally opposes media=20
consolidation and filed the petition to block=20
Tribune's waiver in Los Angeles, where it owns=20
television station KTLA. Schwartzman's group has=20
asked the FCC to deny Tribune's request to renew=20
its license to own KTLA under waiver, arguing=20
that Tribune has made no effort to sell KTLA, has=20
no interest in divesting its Los Angeles=20
properties and is holding on to them in hopes=20
that the FCC will lift cross-ownership=20
restrictions. Schwartzman's group is also=20
planning challenges to Tribune station licenses=20
in Connecticut and New York, which come up for=20
renewal next year, something that a new Tribune=20
owner would have to contend with.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/02/AR200611...
1730.html
(requires registration)
FCC ENDORSES BROADBAND OVER POWERLINE
[SOURCE: TechWeb Technology News, AUTHOR: W. David Gardner]
The Federal Communications Commission on Friday=20
gave a big boost to Broadband over Powerline=20
(BPL), classifying the technology as an=20
"information service." The declaration places=20
BPL-enabled access services on equal footing with=20
cable modem and DSL Internet access services. The=20
FCC has campaigned for BPL approval for years,=20
although ham radio operators have long complained=20
that BPL would interfere with its service. By=20
ruling BPL service's transmission component is=20
"telecommunications," and an "information=20
service," BPL will find it easier to deploy=20
beyond the handful of networks that are currently=20
scattered around the country, mostly in the Northeast.
http://www.techweb.com/wire/mobile/193501695;jsessionid=3DX11BT13GKZOAUQ...
LQSKHSCJUNN2JVN
* FCC news release
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-268331A1.doc
* Chairman Martin: "I believe that it is the=20
Commission's responsibility to help ensure=20
technological and competitive neutrality in=20
communications markets. Accordingly, I believe=20
that all providers of the same service must be=20
treated in the same manner regardless of the=20
technology that they employ. I am therefore=20
pleased that the Commission has recognized that=20
Internet access services provided over broadband=20
power lines, like those provided over cable plant=20
and wireline facilities, are information services."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-268331A2.doc
* Commissioner Copps: "[C]onsigning broadband=20
services to an indeterminate Title I regulatory=20
limbo is no substitute for a genuine national=20
broadband strategy. Just relegating something to=20
Title I doesn't provide the kind of certainty=20
that either business or consumers are entitled to=20
if broadband over power line is going to be the=20
success we want it to be. And reclassification=20
by itself gets us no closer to the kind of high=20
speed broadband infrastructure this nation needs=20
to be competitive in world markets and to expand=20
economic and social opportunity here at home."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-268331A3.doc
* Commissioner Adelstein: "Even as we move=20
forward with this Order today, it is worth=20
mentioning some of the important issues that we=20
shouldn't lose sight of:" consumer protection,=20
Truth-in-Billing rules, access for persons with=20
disabilities, and the preservation and advancement of universal service.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-268331A4.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-268331A4.doc
ORDER TO STREAMLINE FM TABLE OF ALLOTMENTS AND AM=20
COMMUNITY OF LICENSE PROCEDURES
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission on Friday=20
adopted a Report and Order that sets rules to=20
revise the FM Table of Allotments and AM=20
community of license modification=20
procedures. The Report and Order adopts the=20
following rule changes: 1) Permits Community of=20
License Minor Change Applications - Allows AM and=20
FM licensees and permittees to change their=20
community of license by first-come/first-served=20
minor modification applications, streamlining the=20
current two-step procedures. 2) Requires=20
Simultaneous Filing of Form 301 with Petitions to=20
Add New FM Allotments - Requires filing Form 301,=20
and paying the required filing fee, with all=20
petitions to add new FM allotments to the=20
Table. This will help ensure that parties who=20
value new allotments most - those who participate=20
in broadcast auctions - will be the ones seeking=20
to add new FM allotments. 3) Eliminates the=20
Prohibition on Electronic Filing of Rulemaking=20
Petitions to Amend FM Table of Allotments -=20
Eliminates the current prohibition on electronic=20
filing of petitions and other documents in=20
proceedings to amend the FM Table of Allotments.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-268334A1.doc
MEDIA OWNERSHIP
NET NEUTRALITY IS AIMED AT SMALL FIRMS, GOOGLE SAYS
[SOURCE: Technology Daily 10/31, AUTHOR: ]
A Google executive warned that small businesses=20
would be harmed the most if the federal=20
government fails to guarantee the unencumbered=20
flow of Internet content. "Honestly, Amazon,=20
Yahoo, Microsoft, Google -- companies that we're=20
working with on this issue" -- are best=20
positioned to survive without so-called network=20
neutrality safeguards, Alan Davidson, the=20
Washington counsel for Google, said during=20
remarks here before the Northern Virginia=20
Technology Council. Davidson said deep-pocketed=20
companies could enter agreements with=20
telecommunications carriers to ensure that their=20
content is easily accessible. But Google is "very=20
worried" about the viability of small Internet=20
players, which he said are "a big part of our=20
future revenue stream." He further warned that=20
the "culture of innovation" that has spawned=20
online social networks, wireless Internet access,=20
video-sharing and other trends and technologies=20
could disappear if regulators do not take steps=20
to ensure equal treatment of similar broadband=20
content. Businesses can now deploy new services=20
without seeking anyone's permission, Davidson=20
said. But he warned that freedom would be=20
hindered if companies such as AOL Time Warner,=20
AT&T, and Verizon, follow through with plans to=20
charge for premium treatment on the Internet.=20
Speaking later to reporters, Davidson said that=20
if U.S. companies establish premium Internet=20
tiers, companies in other nations would follow=20
suit -- forcing small businesses to cut deals=20
with U.S. and international broadband providers.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-KYYH1162481239022.html
MEDIA'S NEW MASTERS
[SOURCE: BusinessWeek, AUTHOR: Jon Fine]
[Commentary] It's now a matter of when, not if,=20
private-equity players will begin owning a large=20
chunk of the consumer media world. Thus,=20
regardless of who ends up controlling Tribune Co.=20
and Clear Channel Communications -- to cite just=20
two recent headlines -- it's worth considering,=20
without rant or cant, what this will mean to=20
media companies and properties. 1) Old dogs learn=20
new math: "There is equity. There is debt. There=20
is cash flow. There is interest. There is growth.=20
There is value. That's the world." A shift to a=20
"hard" accountability won't be easy. A soft-edged=20
ecosystem allowed generations of lower-tier=20
employees to make decent middle-class=20
salaries--in some cases, much better than=20
middle-class salaries. That world has been=20
shrinking. It will shrink faster. 2) Expect a=20
quicker sprint to digital. 3) The old-style=20
conglomerate, be it Knight Ridder or Time Warner,=20
consists of properties bolted together more or=20
less haphazardly. Their run of dominating media=20
will end. In their place will come tightly focused companies.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_46/b4009039.htm
NEWS FROM NTIA
DIGITAL TO ANALOG CONVERTER BOX COUPON PUBLIC MEETINGS
[SOURCE: National Telecommunications and Information Administration]
The National Telecommunications and Information=20
Administration (NTIA) announces that it will be=20
holding individual meetings with interested=20
parties on November 14-15, 2006 in connection=20
with its digital-to-analog converter box coupon=20
program. Discussions will be limited to those=20
subjects raised in the NPRM and no discussions=20
are permitted with respect to the Request for=20
Information published by NTIA on July 31, 2006,=20
or other procurement related issues. These=20
meetings will be considered ex parte=20
presentations, and the substance of these=20
meetings will be placed on the public record. At=20
least two days after the meetings, parties should=20
submit a memorandum to NTIA which summarizes the=20
substance of the meetings. Any written=20
presentations will be placed on the public=20
record. Individual meetings with interested=20
parties will be scheduled from 9:00 to 5:00 p.m.=20
on November 14 and 15 and are expected to last no=20
longer than thirty minutes each. The meetings=20
will be held at the Department of Commerce,=20
National Telecommunications and Information=20
Administration, 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W.,=20
Washington, DC, 20230. Parties interested in=20
scheduling meetings with NTIA must contact Sandra=20
Stewart at (202) 482-2246 no later than November 10, 2006.
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnotices/2006/DTVmeeting_110806.htm
COMMERCE SPECTRUM ADVISORY COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED
[SOURCE: National Telecommunications and Information Administration]
Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez=20
announced the appointment of a diverse group of=20
representatives from the private sector for a=20
two-year term to an advisory committee on radio=20
frequency spectrum. The radio frequency spectrum=20
is a vital and limited national resource, and=20
committee members will provide advice and=20
recommendations that will enable the United=20
States to remain a leader in new wireless=20
technologies while ensuring the country=92s=20
homeland security, national defense, and other=20
critical government needs are satisfied. The=20
Commerce Spectrum Advisory Committee is part of=20
the President=92s Spectrum Policy Initiative, which=20
was established by President George W. Bush in=20
June 2003 to further develop and implement a U.S.=20
spectrum policy for the 21st century that meets=20
the Nation=92s needs and spurs economic=20
growth. Radio frequency spectrum contributes to=20
increased technological innovation and scientific=20
discovery, enables communications among first=20
responders to natural disasters and terrorist=20
attacks, assists in military operations, and=20
spurs economic growth and job creation by=20
providing sound commercial choices for consumers=20
including high-speed Internet and increased=20
wireless services. The Advisory Committee will=20
report to John Kneuer, Acting Assistant Secretary=20
for Communications and Information, who will=20
appoint a chair at the first meeting. Members of=20
the Committee include: Dr. David=20
Borth, Motorola; Martin Cooper, ArrayComm; Mark=20
Crosby, Enterprise Wireless Alliance; James=20
Goldstein, Sprint Nextel; Alexander H. Good,=20
Mobile Satellite Ventures; Robert M. Gurss,=20
Association of Public-Safety Communications=20
Officials International Inc; Dr. Dale Hatfield,=20
University of Colorado;Dr. Kevin Kahn, Intel;=20
Hilda Legg, Legg Strategies; James Lewis, Center=20
for Strategic & International Studies; Dr. Mark=20
McHenry, Shared Spectrum Company; Darrin M.=20
Mylet, Cantor Fitzgerald; Janice Obuchowski,=20
Freedom Technologies; Dr. Robert Pepper, Cisco=20
Systems; R. Gerard Salemme, Clearwire Corp; Bryan=20
N. Tramont, Wilkinson, Barker, Knauer, LLP,=20
Washington, D.C.; Mark Tucker, CoCo=20
Communications; Jennifer Warren, Lockheed Martin.
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/press/2006/specadvisory_110306.htm
BROADCASTING
ELECTION ADVERTISING BOOST
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable]
In perhaps the most significant midterm election=20
since 1994, when Republicans swept Congress, a=20
winner has already been declared: TV stations.=20
Thanks to the possibility of the Democrats'=20
capturing control of one or both houses, stations=20
will pull in nearly $2 billion in political=20
advertising this season. That far surpasses the=20
previous, $1.25 billion record for a single=20
election season. A war in Iraq, an energized=20
electorate and tight races have led to more=20
coverage by the Big Three broadcast networks. Has=20
the media done a better job? Andrew Tyndall=20
reports that the Big Three broadcast networks'=20
coverage of this campaign has already broken the=20
record set for midterm coverage 12 years ago. The=20
1994 campaign set a record with twice the=20
coverage of a normal, incumbent-friendly midterm=20
election, logging a three-network total of 216=20
minutes in the first 10 months of that year. In=20
the same period leading up to Election Day 2006,=20
the current campaign has clocked 240 min. of=20
coverage. (Contrast those with the other midterm=20
totals in the Tyndall Report database: 1990: 157=20
min.; 1998: 107 min.; 2002: 140 min.)
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6388359.html?display=3DFeature
STATIONS LOG RECORD WINDFALL
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John M. Higgins]
Television-station managers typically have a=20
straightforward view of politics: It doesn't=20
matter who wins; it's how many ads they buy. The=20
bloodier the fight, the better. So no matter=20
which candidate secures the most votes or which=20
party controls Congress after the unusually=20
caustic midterm elections climax this week, TV=20
broadcasters are the clearest victors. Spending=20
by candidates, parties and groups behind=20
initiatives on state ballots is estimated at=20
$2.25 billion this year, breaking the $1.5=20
billion record set in 2004, a campaign fueled by=20
presidential primaries and a tense general=20
election. Even though the gains are temporary and=20
only in select markets, the volume has taken some=20
by surprise. =93What used to be a $1 million race=20
is now $1.7 million,=94 says Evan Tracey, COO of=20
TNS Media Intelligence's Campaign Media Analysis=20
Group. Tracey, whose data are relied on heavily=20
by campaigns and stations, has had to revise his=20
estimates repeatedly upward as Election Day draws near.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6388360.html?display=3DNews
'FREE' TV, BUT AT WHAT PRICE?
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Tom Steinert-Threlkeld]
[Commentary] Since broadcasters provide the=20
highest-quality programming to cable systems,=20
shouldn't they be compensated? How much should=20
consumers pay for "free" TV channels? it=92s time=20
to blow up the Cable Television Consumer=20
Protection and Competition Act of 1992. You can't=20
say, 'you have to negotiate payments with the=20
broadcasters,and not let a cable operator put=20
their programming to the ultimate test: Will=20
consumers pay, one by one, for your programming?=20
Or for a local-TV-only tier? Give customers the=20
choice. Don't force viewers to buy the broadcast=20
channels, as part of basic service. To provide=20
that choice, cable operators have to have the=20
right =97 like satellite competitors do =97 to place=20
the stations in a local broadcast tier. Then,=20
give the local stations payments based only on=20
those viewers who directly choose to subscribe to=20
them. While we=92re at it, let=92s blow up the=20
broadcast-affiliate network system. It=92s archaic=20
and inefficient. Why are we allowing the same=20
amount of a scarce resource (spectrum) be used to=20
serve 15% of the American population as we did 50=20
years ago for 100%? Or, more, if you count the=20
spectrum being used in the transition to digital=20
broadcasting? Time to kill all broadcast towers.=20
There=92s ample capacity for the once broadly cast=20
programmers to reach all U.S. households through=20
satellite, cable and phone line. Put the spectrum=20
=97 which J.H. Snider, research director at the New=20
America Foundation, estimates to be worth $100=20
billion =97 to better use for the kinds of things=20
over-the-air frequencies really should be used=20
for: Defense, emergencies and, in entertainment,=20
filling iPods, cellphones and portable media=20
players. The broadcast affiliates will groan. But=20
cable channels can be just as valid local=20
programming producers and distributors. Make them=20
your affiliates. If broadcasters (or the FCC)=20
won't let consumers vote directly with their=20
dollars, then don't allow any payments to=20
broadcasters at all. If you want to deliver your=20
programming free of charge to some portion of the=20
population, then deliver it free of charge to all=20
the population. Unless you make payments a clear choice for consumers.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6388427.html?display=3DOpinion
SINCLAIR NO LONGER GETS "THE POINT"
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Allison Romano]
Sinclair Broadcast Group is eliminating=20
syndicated controversial political commentaries=20
that air on many of its TV station's newscasts.=20
The commentaries, called "The Point," are hosted=20
by Sinclair's VP of Corporate Relations Mark=20
Hyman and have been produced in Baltimore and=20
funneled out to Sinclair stations across the=20
country. Critics have said the commentaries are=20
right-leaning and accuse Sinclair of unfairly=20
using its stations local news to push a conservative political agenda.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6388223.html?display=3DBreaki...
News
KIDS & MEDIA
SOMEBODY LISTENS TO PARENTS!
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Kevin Downey]
When PBS surveyed parents of preschoolers to find=20
out what bugs them about children's television,=20
it wasn't the commercials for fatty foods. No. 1=20
on their list was something a little more=20
touchy-feely. =93We kept hearing from parents that=20
positive, real-adult role models are missing from=20
kids TV today,=94 explains Lesli Rotenberg, senior=20
VP of PBS Kids Next Generation Media, a PBS=20
initiative that, over five years, will explore=20
how to expand its content to new-media outlets.=20
PBS listened and broke new ground on its=20
preschool block in September, presenting =93Miss=20
Lori,=94 a live host who is there to guide kids=20
through the schedule. That's such a new idea it's=20
positively old. In the early days of television,=20
it was common for stations to have hosts who=20
hawked toys and other goodies in between the=20
cartoons. =93So much of kids TV is cartoons,=94=20
Rotenberg says. =93Parents are missing adults that=20
kids can learn from and who can model good=20
behavior that will help kids know what will help=20
them become good citizens in their community.=20
Parents are concerned with how they can help=20
their children succeed in school and succeed in=20
life,=94 she adds. =93They want to be an educational=20
partner, but they want resources.=94
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6388368.html?display=3DSpecia...
eport
THE MIXED MESSAGE TO KIDS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Kevin Downey]
Balancing responsible, educational topics with=20
advertising for products that many educators or=20
nutritionists believe aren't good for kids is a=20
topic just about as old as television itself. The=20
first critics of children's TV used to howl about=20
kid-show hosts who cajoled tykes to get their=20
parent to buy them some sugary product. It's an=20
even bigger issue today. What's the best way to=20
strike a healthy balance between how TV educates=20
and markets to its most impressionable=20
demographic? Is television doing enough to police=20
itself, or should more be done? The answer=20
depends upon whom you ask. Family-friendly=20
networks continue to pump out a steady stream of=20
politically correct content, while launching a=20
slew of education- and health-related outreach=20
initiatives. And yet obesity continues to=20
skyrocket among America's youth. The Federal=20
Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of=20
Health and Human Services (HHS) report that,=20
since 1980, the obesity rate has tripled among=20
adolescents and doubled among younger kids. In=20
May, the FTC and HHS released recommendations for=20
reworking marketing campaigns geared to kids.=20
=93Food companies, including food processors,=20
supermarkets, and fast-food restaurants, and=20
children's-entertainment companies are all very=20
concerned about being blamed for the rising=20
obesity rate in kids,=94 says Margo Wootan,=20
nutrition policy director at the Center for=20
Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). =93And with=20
good reason: A lot of their products and=20
practices do contribute to kids' poor eating habits.=94
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6388365.html?display=3DSpecia...
eport
FEDERAL CENSORSHIP COMMISSION?
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal 11/3, AUTHOR: Bob Wright, NBC Universal]
[Commentary] Two years ago, I warned in these=20
pages of the danger that the government, in=20
response to the infamous "wardrobe malfunction"=20
during January's televised Super Bowl, would use=20
the threat of fines and license-revocation to=20
create a climate of self-censorship among=20
broadcasters. I take no pleasure in saying "I=20
told you so." But the chill in the airwaves is=20
unmistakable, and the viewing public is the=20
biggest loser. The most recent example involves=20
dozens of CBS affiliates who refused to=20
rebroadcast the documentary "9/11" for fear they=20
would be fined for the coarse words uttered by=20
rescuers. This is one of many instances of=20
broadcast licensees altering or canceling=20
worthwhile programming out of concern about=20
finding themselves in the Federal Communications=20
Commission's crosshairs. So what is the answer?=20
It is certainly not that government should=20
regulate content on cable TV and the Internet.=20
But there is a reasonable solution. Just as=20
parents use technology on the Internet, ratings=20
information and blocking technology are available=20
for TV. Broadcast and cable networks have a=20
ratings and parental-advisory system, and today's=20
TV sets are equipped with V-chips that block=20
specified programming from entering a home. The=20
entire TV industry is striving to provide parents=20
with help to guide them through today's thicket=20
of offerings. To make sure parents are aware of=20
the control they have over programming, the TV=20
industry and Ad Council are collaborating on a=20
$300 million educational campaign. The FCC should=20
formulate policies that take advantage of=20
advanced technology, rather than hark back to=20
solutions developed in -- and for -- a bygone=20
era. An appropriate FCC policy would recognize=20
that our TV audience is quite varied; that some=20
programs at all hours should appropriately serve=20
the two-thirds of households that do not have=20
children; and that blocking technology is a=20
21st-century solution that is consistent with the=20
Supreme Court's admonition that the government is=20
constrained by the First Amendment to use the=20
least restrictive means to address "indecent" programming content.
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB116251978478212180-y2J46sU199Onen...
1ckxj6EOLs_20061110.html
(requires subscription)
EARLY HOUR FOR WAR SERIES, SALTY LANGUAGE AND ALL
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Elizabeth Jensen]
As it begins a 10-month publicity push leading up=20
to the September 2007 broadcast of Ken Burns=92s=20
new documentary series on World War II, PBS plans=20
to announce this week that the programs will be=20
shown at 8 p.m., even though a couple of episodes=20
contain obscenities. Burns has maintained all=20
along that his seven-part series of =93The War=94=20
would be shown at 8 p.m., particularly because he=20
wants it to be seen by young people who did not=20
live through the war and its aftermath. But some=20
in public television expressed concern over the=20
summer that even the minimal use of obscenities=20
would cause stations to run afoul of the Federal=20
Communications Commission=92s tightened policies=20
against indecency, unless the series was=20
broadcast after 10 p.m., when the FCC=92s =93safe=20
harbor=94 period for children ends. Some episodes=20
are likely to include viewer discretion warnings=20
because of grim war images. In an interview from=20
his New Hampshire office, Mr. Burns said last=20
week that there were three clear-cut uses of=20
obscenity in the series=92s 14=BD hours, and that=20
those words, which were used in voice-over, have=20
in the past been granted exceptions by the FCC He=20
called their use =93so minor and so appropriate to=20
the story.=94 Individual stations have the option=20
of delaying the episodes until a later hour or=20
just showing the nightly 10 p.m. rebroadcast that=20
PBS will also schedule. Stations could=20
conceivably also ask PBS and Mr. Burns to make=20
available a version of the film that bleeps the offending words.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/06/arts/television/06burn.html
(requires registration)
MEDIA & ELECTIONS
ONLINE PLAYER IN THE GAME OF POLITICS
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: David Carr]
People in the elections business often say that=20
the most powerful form of endorsement, next to=20
meeting and being actually impressed by a=20
candidate, is the recommendation of a trusted=20
friend. In this election, YouTube, with its=20
extant social networks and the ability to forward=20
a video clip and a comment with a flick of the=20
mouse, has become a source of viral=20
work-of-mouth. As a result, a disruptive=20
technology that was supposed to upend a=20
half-century-old distribution model of television=20
is having a fairly disruptive effect on politics=20
as well. =93In politics, there is a very high=20
signal-to-noise ratio,=94 said Mr. Avidor, who runs=20
his blog in his spare time. =93It gives you a=20
megaphone and allows you to break through the=20
clutter, and maybe capture the attention of major=20
media. If you get the right message, it can go=20
viral in a hurry and have a big impact.=94 Campaign=20
video material, once restricted to expensive=20
television commercials that were endlessly=20
focus-grouped and tweaked, has performed a=20
jailbreak. And a growing tendency on the part of=20
people to run to the Web for current information=20
-- an Associated Press/America Online poll found=20
that 43 percent of likely voters get political=20
news from the Internet -- means a universe of new=20
opportunities and hazards for candidates.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/06/business/media/06carr.html
(requires registration)
GAMING THE SEARCH ENGINE, IN A POLITICAL SEASON
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Tom Zeller]
Many people were shocked by the revelation two=20
weeks ago that left-leaning bloggers were trying=20
to drop a Google bomb on the campaigns of dozens=20
of Republican candidates =97 not least because its=20
bellicose promise seemed to throw into question=20
the very integrity of search engine results. Did=20
it work? The short answer is yes =97 somewhat. The=20
folks at MyDD.com, where it all began, have been=20
tracking the progress quite out in the open at=20
mydd.com/tag/googlebomb. It=92s worth a visit for=20
people of all political persuasions, if only to=20
catch a glimpse of the future of political=20
strategizing. That, and to forever eliminate any=20
lingering notions that one needn't think=20
critically about what results come back from a search engine.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/06/business/media/06link.html
(requires registration)
QUICKLY
DO THE RIGHTS OF THE DISABLED EXTEND TO THE BLIND ON THE WEB?
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Bob Tedeschi]
The National Federation of the Blind has sued=20
Target, contending that the company declined to=20
make its Web site fully accessible -- with=20
specialized screen-reading technology -- to blind=20
people. The Federation argues that the company=92s=20
inaction violated the Americans with Disabilities=20
Act because the Web site is essentially an=20
extension of its other public accommodations, and=20
as such, should be easily accessible to people=20
with disabilities. On Sept. 6, a federal judge in=20
California held, in a preliminary ruling on the=20
suit, that in some instances, Web sites must=20
cater to disabled people. Legal scholars say the=20
full reach of that ruling will not be clear until=20
the case is decided, if it reaches that point.=20
But in the meantime, the dispute shows that=20
although commercial Web sites have made=20
considerable strides in serving this small=20
fraction of their customer base, there are still=20
substantial difficulties on both sides of the screen.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/06/technology/06ecom.html
(requires registration)
NEWSPAPERS TO TEST PLAN TO SELL ADS ON GOOGLE
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Saul Hansell]
Google is going to start selling advertisements=20
that will appear in the print editions of 50=20
major newspapers. Hoping to reach out to a new=20
crop of customers, such as small businesses and=20
online retailers, many of the largest newspaper=20
companies, including Gannett, the Tribune=20
Company, The New York Times Company, the=20
Washington Post Company and Hearst, have agreed=20
to try the system in a three-month test set to=20
start later this month. For Google, the test is=20
an important step to the company=92s audacious=20
long-term goal: to build a single computer system=20
through which advertisers can promote their=20
products in any medium. For the newspaper=20
industry, reeling from the loss of both readers=20
and advertisers, this new system offers a curious=20
bargain: the publishers can get much-needed=20
revenue but in doing so they may well make Google=20
=97 which is already the biggest seller of online advertising =97 even stro=
nger.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/06/business/media/06google.html
(requires registration)
HOLLYWOOD PUTS SQUEEZE ON TALENT
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Laura Holson]
Movie and television studios, facing escalating=20
budgets, rampant piracy and the uncertain future=20
of new media, are demanding concessions from=20
talent. But as actors, directors and writers feel=20
the squeeze, many are not happy about it. Worse,=20
the tension is not likely to ease soon. As=20
studios are set to begin contract negotiations=20
with talent in January, all sides are girding for=20
battle. Hollywood is in the midst of a strategic=20
shift. The average cost to make and market a=20
movie has skyrocketed =97 to $96.2 million last=20
year, from $54.1 million in 1995 =97 while=20
lucrative DVD sales have flattened. Major film=20
studios are fending off illegal piracy, which=20
industry executives say accounted for $1.3=20
billion in lost revenue in the United States last=20
year. The growth of new media threatens to=20
undermine traditional businesses, while studios=20
are flummoxed about how to take advantage of the=20
new opportunities they represent. And movies and=20
TV also face tough new competition from video=20
games and online social networking sites. Even=20
cellphones have become a favorite diversion among=20
the young. As in so many other show business=20
debates, money and control are at the heart of=20
the matter. And without solutions to these=20
problems in sight, relations between talent and=20
the studios are more strained than ever.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/06/business/media/06studio.html
(requires registration)
MINNEAPOLIS MOVES TO BE AMONG FIRST US CITIES TO GO WIRELESS
[SOURCE: City of Minneapolis]
The City of Minneapolis signed a 10-year contract=20
with US Internet of Minnetonka to provide=20
Minneapolis with cutting-edge broadband=20
technology, becoming one of the first large=20
cities in the United States to go wireless. US=20
Internet will fund, build, and manage a wireless=20
network covering all 59 square miles of=20
Minneapolis, providing residents, businesses, and=20
visitors with wireless broadband access anywhere=20
in the City. The network will allow the City to=20
deliver services more efficiently and effectively=20
than ever before. The wireless contract also=20
includes a comprehensive set of benefits to the=20
community that go far beyond what any other city=20
in the country has negotiated. The groundbreaking=20
set of community benefits in the Minneapolis=20
contract leverages the success of the network to=20
help bridge the digital divide.
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20061102MplsGoesWireless.asp
TAKING AIM AT TV's BANDWIDTH JAM
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: ]
BroadLogic Network Technologies Inc. today will=20
announce a video-processor chip that is designed=20
to address one of cable operators' biggest=20
handicaps in meeting tough competition with=20
telephone carriers and other rivals. The problem=20
is that basic cable service -- sent over the=20
network in an analog form, rather than newer=20
digital formats -- takes up about 70% of the=20
cable network's capacity. All other services,=20
including digital channels and broadband Internet=20
access, have to fit in the remaining 30% of the=20
network pipes. That squeeze is expected to become=20
a bigger issue as cable operators move to offer=20
additional programming in high-definition format,=20
which consumes more bandwidth than standard=20
digital channels. Meanwhile, some rival telephone=20
companies are installing all-digital networks,=20
using fiber-optic cable that can carry more data=20
than the older coaxial wiring used by the cable=20
industry. BroadLogic, a closely held company=20
whose financial backers include the venture arm=20
of cable operator Time Warner, says its=20
technology can free up bandwidth now taken up by=20
the standard analog TV channels. Yet users who=20
prefer the basic programming can keep watching=20
it, without new set-top boxes or wiring. The=20
approach does require deploying small gateway=20
devices containing the company's chips at each=20
subscriber's home, likely in the basement or on=20
an outside wall where cable-TV wiring enters the=20
house. Programming is converted to digital form=20
at central cable facilities called "headends,"=20
and sent over the network to the gateway devices.=20
Those gadgets then push programming around the=20
house in analog or digital form; each can deliver=20
80 analog channels, and up to 160=20
standard-definition digital channels or 50 high-definition channels.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116277984167214155.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
ketplace
(requires subscription)
McGANNON BOOK AWARD
[SOURCE: Donald McGannon Communication Research Center, Fordham University]
Each year, the McGannon Center presents the=20
Donald McGannon Award for Social and Ethical=20
Relevance in Communications Policy Research to=20
the most notable book addressing issues of=20
communications policy published during the=20
previous year. The Center recognizes the winning=20
entry with a $2,000 prize. Nominations for the=20
2006 Award currently are being=20
accepted. Nominees should consist of book-length=20
research published in 2006 that addresses or=20
informs issues of communications policy.=20
Nominations should consist of a cover letter=20
briefly summarizing the book=92s research focus and=20
findings, along with three copies of the book.=20
Self-nominations are welcome. Edited volumes are=20
not eligible for consideration. Deadline for=20
consideration is January 15th, 2007.
http://www.fordham.edu/academics/office_of_research/research_centers__in...
nald_mcgannon_comm/book_award_11437.asp
CDT PROMOTES PROCESS TO EXPAND INTERNET ACCESS GLOBALLY
[SOURCE: Center for Democracy & Technology]
At the Internet Governance Forum this week, the=20
Global Internet Policy Initiative (GIPI), a joint=20
project of CDT and InterNews, was highlighted as=20
a proven model for working locally to reform=20
national laws and policies in order to foster=20
expanded Internet access in developing=20
countries. The inaugural IGF, which drew to a=20
close November 2 in Athens, Greece, attracted=20
over 1,000 government officials, business=20
representatives, and non-governmental=20
organizations from around the world. CDT policy=20
director Jim Dempsey, who also serves as policy=20
director of GIPI, urged each country to convene=20
at the national level an ongoing=20
multi-stakeholder dialogue, similar to those=20
coordinated by GIPI in over 20 countries, to=20
identify specific barriers to Internet growth --=20
such as inadequate enforcement of competition=20
among telecoms, burdensome licensing requirements=20
for ISPs, and limits on Wi-Fi and other wireless=20
technologies -- and specific solutions that can=20
be implemented through law reform.
Internet Governance Forum site: http://www.intgovforum.org
More on GIPI: http://www.internetpolicy.net
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Communications-related Headlines is a free online=20
news summary service provided by the Benton=20
Foundation (www.benton.org). Posted Monday=20
through Friday, this service provides updates on=20
important industry developments, policy issues,=20
and other related news events. While the=20
summaries are factually accurate, their often=20
informal tone does not always represent the tone=20
of the original articles. Headlines are compiled=20
by Kevin Taglang headlines( at )benton.org -- we welcome your comments.
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