COPYRIGHT
HDTV Advocates Join Copy-Protection Fray
BROADCAST
Murdoch's Plan for China Starts With U.S.-Type Shows
DIGITAL DIVIDE
Mississippi Schools Receive PowerUP Grant
INTERNET
UK Puts E-Voting to the Test
COPYRIGHT
HDTV ADVOCATES JOIN COPY-PROTECTION FRAY
A high-definition-TV advocacy group is forming led by HDTV publisher Dale
Cripps, editor-in-chief Howard Barton, and communications attorney Tedson
Meyers. This group represents the interests of HDTV owners who are concerned
that new copyright measures could destroy the usefulness of the expensive
sets. DigitalConsumer.org, another advocacy group formed by California
technology entrepreneurs and executives is lobbying to have Congress pass a
consumer "bill of rights." In an effort to expedite the digital TV
transition, FCC Chairman Michael Powell has proposed several voluntary
anti-copy protection measures for broadcasters and satellite operators. In
Congress, Sen. Ernest Hollings, D-S.C. has introduced legislation requiring
the development of anti-piracy standards for all computers and home
entertainment devices. Excite.com founder, Joe Kraus has co-founded the
DigitalConsumer.org advocacy group fearing that without consumer involvement
new laws will reduce consumer options when watching TV and listening to
music. Kraus said, "We are trying to change the nature of the debate,
because Hollywood has framed it as 'You are either in the camp of the
pirates or in the camp of Hollywood'...There is a difference between copying
and piracy. Making a copy of a song from your CD to take to the gym or in
your car in not piracy."
[SOURCE: USA Today, AUTHOR: Mike Snider]
(http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/2002/04/08/digitaltv-usat.htm)
BROADCAST
MURDOCH'S PLAN FOR CHINA STARTS WITH U.S.- TYPE SHOWS
Xing Kong Wei Shi, a 24-hour Manadarin-language channel from the Star Group
Ltd. is filling their lineup with U.S.-inspired programming such as a
courtroom drama modeled after "Judge Judy", and a Chinese version of
"America's Funniest Home videos". The Star Group is owned by Rupert
Murdoch's News Corp and beams programming to 53 Asian countries reaching
more than 300 million people. Competitor AOL Time Warner Inc's China
Entertainment Television is also planning a new lineup but they will use
dubbed versions of Korean, Japanese and American drama series for the
prime-time lineup. Xing Kong is relying on reality-based, locally produced
programming using relative unknowns as actors.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Alkman Granitsas]
(http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB1017957505594276440,00.html?mod=todays%5
Fus%5Fmarketplace%5Fhs)
(Requires subscription)
DIGITAL DIVIDE
MISSISSIPPI SCHOOLS RECEIVE POWERUP GRANT
The Mississippi Department of Education has received funds from PowerUP, a
non-profit initiative which seeks to bridge the digital divide across the
nation. The Mississippi Department of Education awarded funds from PowerUP
to 50 schools across the state. Known as PowerPALS in Mississippi, the
program provides computers, printers, software and Internet accounts for
school labs. But PowerPALS is not just for students: the labs remain open
into the early evening for those in the community who wish to further their
education or gain more computer skills. More information about PowerUP is
available at their web site (http://www.powerup.org/index.shtml).
[SOURCE: Daily Journal; AUTHOR: Holly Wright]
(http://www.djournal.com/djournal/site/articles/news/988821.htm)
INTERNET
UK PUTS E-VOTING TO THE TEST
Two of the 20 wards in St. Albans, England will test out an ambitious
electronic voting scheme during the upcoming local elections. The trial is
being conducted to see if more people vote when they have more ways to do
it. Other technologies, such as postal ballots, mobile phone text messaging
and digital television, are also being tested in other parts of the country.
In St. Albans, residents will be able to cast votes via the Internet, or at
telephone or touchscreen kiosks in supermarkets and polling stations. The
St. Albans District Council has set the modest target of raising voter
turnout by 4%. The District has also extended the voting period from one to
three days, hoping that this will increase accessibility even further.
Opponents of online voting argue that it is vulnerable to fraud and that it
discriminates against those without Internet access or who are not
computer-literate.
[SOURCE: BBCNews]
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1916000/1916184.stm)
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