OWNERSHIP
FCC to Ease Rules, Allow Viacom To Own Both CBS, UPN Networks (WSJ)
TECH INDUSTRY
High-Tech Industry's Loss of Clout Is Evident in White House Agenda
(WSJ)
Cheney: White House Won't Take Tech Sector for Granted (WP)
SATELLITES
India Launches Satellite-Carrying Rocket Into Space (WSJ)
OWNERSHIP
FCC TO EASE RULES, ALLOW VIACOM TO OWN BOTH CBS, UPN NETWORKS
Issue: Ownership
At a public meeting today, the Federal Communications Commission is expected
to approve changes that would allow any of the four major television
networks to own a smaller rival. The move, which will allow Viacom Corp. to
own both CBS and UPN, furthers the recent erosion of rules designed to
promote media diversity. The commission, however, is likely to retain
related rules keeping the four major networks -- ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox --
under separate ownership. Many consumer advocates are concerned that the
trend toward relaxation of the ownership rules will promote consolidation,
reducing the diversity of news and entertainment available to TV viewers.
"The FCC is trying to undo 60 years of policy dedicated to the principle
that multiply-owned sources of news and information protects our democracy,"
said Andrew Schwartzman, head of the Media Access Project, a nonprofit
consumer-law group here. "The fear is that someone with a new programming
idea or a different perspective will have a much harder time getting it
out."
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Yochi J. Dreazen]
(http://interactive.wsj.com/articles/SB987632938177026761.htm )
(requires subscription)
TECH INDUSTRY
CHENEY: WHITE HOUSE WON'T TAKE TECH SECTOR FOR GRANTED
Issue: Tech Industry
In a speech to the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) in McLean,
Vice President Dick Cheney assured high-tech executives Wednesday night that
the White House will not take them for granted, and asked for their support
in passing what he called a tax code that rewards enterprise. He said that
the administration supports extending the Internet tax moratorium, as well
as a permanent ban on all Internet access taxes. Cheney also told the NVTC
that administration believes it's time to make the R&D tax credit permanent.
Cheney said he and the president believe the industry will be at the front
edge of economic recovery, setting new standards in job growth, worker
productivity and scientific progress.
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Kyle Balluck]
(http://www.washtech.com/news/regulation/9153-1.html)
HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY'S LOSS OF CLOUT IS EVIDENT IN WHITE HOUSE AGENDA
Issue: Tech Industry
While George W. Bush actively courted the high-technology industry when the
New Economy was booming, many executives feel that the President is doing
little to provide an immediate helping hand to the struggling high-tech
world. He has resisted pressure for tax credits to spur the purchase of
computers and the infrastructure to connect them. He hasn't aggressively
touted the idea of extending the tax moratorium on the Internet market,
though he plans to later this year. Some in the industry also feel that he
hasn't pushed for as large an increase in research funding for technological
innovations as they would like. Industry officials also privately complain
that Mr. Bush has been too slow in filling technology positions inside his
White House, which has hindered the tech agenda.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Jim VandeHei]
(http://interactive.wsj.com/articles/SB987627037207737716.htm)
(requires subscription)
SATELLITES
INDIA LAUNCHES SATELLITE-CARRYING ROCKET INTO SPACE
Issue: Satellites
On Wednesday, India's civilian space program successfully launched a
satellite-carrying rocket -- its first spacecraft capable of delivering a
payload into geosynchronous orbit. The test puts India a big step closer to
the multibillion-dollar satellite-launching business, but Indian Space
Research Organization chairman K. Kasturirangan says the country doesn't
have an immediate plan to commercialize the service. The next step is to
fire a second test launch in a year to 15 months, and then to eventually
launch television, telephone and meteorological satellites to aid India's
economic development. After that, "if there is [commercial] demand, then
maybe we could support it," Dr. Kasturirangan said.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Jesse Pesta]
(http://interactive.wsj.com/articles/SB987620467491520591.htm)
(requires subscription)
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