TECHNOLOGY
Bush Budget Cuts Tech Funding Program (USA)
INTERNET
Technology vs. State Coffers (WP)
Welcome to the World Wide Web. Passport, Please? (NTY)
DTV
Hearing on Digital Television: A Private Sector Perspective (House)
TECHNOLOGY
BUSH BUDGET CUTS TECH FUNDING PROGRAM
Issue: Technology
A federal program that pays for research into emerging technologies such as
cheap digital TV components and new ways to diagnose genetic diseases is in
jeopardy under President Bush's budget. If Bush gets his way, the Commerce
Department program would have its funding suspended pending a review.
Scientists and companies that received federal funds from the Advanced
Technology Program say cutting it would leave a huge gap in the availability
of investments in future technology. Cutting ATP has been on the table in
Congress for years, with its Republican opponents calling it a form of
"corporate welfare" that should be ended. The Clinton administration
vigorously defended ATP, citing studies that said many companies would not
have pursued such research without federal help.
[SOURCE: USA Today (Online), AUTHOR: Associated Press]
(http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/2001-03-14-bush-tech-funding.htm)
INTERNET
TECHNOLOGY VS. STATE COFFERS
Issue: E-Commerce
The downturn in the economy is adding a twist to debate on Internet taxes.
Dueling interests debated the merits of extending a ban on new Internet
taxes at the Senate's Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing
yesterday, with some calling the levy a threat to the Web's development and
others insisting that states need the income. "I am deeply concerned that a
tax on Internet growth will serve to hinder growth in this very important
sector," testified Jane Swift (R), Massachusetts's lieutenant governor.
"While other segments of the high-tech sector have been able to absorb some
of these company closings, it would be a mistake to drive remaining
businesses out of business through added taxes," she continued. "That would
be the equivalent of tossing them an anchor at a time when they need a life
vest." Other speakers, however, asserted that some businesses and consumers
could use the Internet tax ban to circumvent paying sales taxes.
[SOURCE: Washington Post (E3), AUTHOR: Alec Klein]
(http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6289-2001Mar14.html)
WELCOME TO THE WORLD WIDE WEB. PASSPORT, PLEASE?
Issue: Internet
Last fall, a French judge made Internet history when he ordered the Yahoo
Web site to prevent French residents from viewing Nazi memorabilia in its
online auctions. His decision raised the question, How can one jurisdiction
decide what can or cannot be displayed on the World Wide Web? In the press,
American civil rights lawyer Alan Davidson said "The most restrictive rules
about Internet content - influenced by any country - could have an impact on
people around the world." In recent cases, judges in Germany and Italy have
come to similar conclusions, declaring that national boundaries do indeed
apply to the virtual world as well as the physical one. The imposition of
jurisdictional laws could mean that online publishers decide either to keep
some material off the Internet entirely, for fear of criminal and civil
charges filed in different countries or even different states, or to install
online gates and checkpoints around their sites, giving access to only
certain viewers.
[SOURCE: New York Times (E1), AUTHOR: Lisa Guernsey]
(http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/15/technology/15BORD.html)
DTV
HEARING ON DIGITAL TELEVISION: A PRIVATE SECTOR PERSPECTIVE
Issue:
Live Audio Broadcast Digital Television: A Private Sector Perspective on the
Transition Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet Thursday,
March 15, 2001, 10:00 AM Eastern Time.
[SOURCE: House of Representatives]
(http://www.house.gov/commerce/hearings/03152001-108/03152001.htm)
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