[We're a little thin on Chicago Tribune stories today, but if you want to
know anything about the Bulls...]
Universal Service: E-Rate
A Computer in Every Classroom (WP)
FCC Is Scaling Back Effort to Connect Nation's Schools,
Libraries to Internet (WSJ)
FCC Pares School Internet Program (WP)
Services Eligible for Discounts to Schools and Libraries (FCC)
FCC Reforms Universal Service Support Mechanism for
Schools and Libraries (FCC)
Internet: Policy & Users
Family Sues Library for Not Restricting Children's Internet Access
(CyberTimes)
Critics Contend U.S. Policy On the Internet Has 2 Big Flaws (NYT)
Wielding Mouse and Modem, Elderly Remain in the Loop (NYT)
The Future of American Broadcasting
Just Talking: Public Broadcasting (NYT)
PIAC Meeting Transcript (NTIA)
Antitrust
Most Approve Of Microsoft, A Poll Shows (NYT)
** Universal Service: E-Rate **
Title: A Computer in Every Classroom
Source: Washington Post (A22)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1998-06/15/005l-061598-idx.html
Author: FCC Chairman Bill Kennard
Sec of Education Richard Riley
Issue: Universal Service
Description: Two responses to James Glassman's June 2 op-ed column
criticizing the erate program. Chairman Kennard writes, "The real issue is a
"hidden tax" but the hidden agenda of Mr. Glassman and others who oppose our
national commitment to ensuring that all Americans have access to
communications technology as we enter the 21st century." Sec Riley
concludes, "America's economy is in good shape, and our competitive edge in
technology is one of the big reasons why. We would be foolish to allow that
competitive edge to slip away. The E-rate will help America create the most
technically savvy work force in the world and protect our nation's
prosperity and democratic values."
Title: FCC Is Scaling Back Effort to Connect Nation's Schools, Libraries to
Internet
Source: Wall Street Journal (B14)
http://wsj.com/
Author: John Simons
Issue: E-Rate
Description: In a 3-2 vote last Friday, the Federal Communications
Commission decided to cut spending to the e-rate program for this year. The
action will reduce the amount that the FCC will need to collect from
telephone companies to help fund the program. The FCC's move is intended to
address complaints about high costs from consumer
groups and members of Congress. Since voting to cut the e-rate program's
budget, the FCC has decided to give top priority to those schools and
libraries most in need of Internet hook-ups, and to streamline the offices
administering the program. "We are overhauling this program and streamlining
it because giving our kids access to technology is more important than
scoring political points," said FCC Chairman William Kennard.
Title: FCC Pares School Internet Program
Source: Washington Post (Sat. 6/13/98 - D1,D2)
http://search.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1998-06/13/045l-061398-id...
Author: Mike Mills
Issue: E-Rate
Description: In an effort to reject calls from Congress and consumer groups
to kill the e-rate program to wire schools and libraries to the Internet,
the Federal Communications Commission voted on Friday to instead cut the
program's funding from its previous level of $2.3 billion to $1.3 billion.
The FCC also reduced the salary of the program's administrator and is
targeting the remaining funds to the poorest schools and libraries. In an
interview, FCC Chairman William Kennard said that stopping the e-rate
program completely was not an option he would consider. He said: "The
fundamental issue is, can we as a nation afford to make this investment? We
can't afford not to." Chairman Kennard also said that while 78 percent of
schools
have access to the Internet, the access is usually just through one
joint-use computer, adding that only 27 percent of schools have at least one
classroom wired individually to the Internet.
Title: Services Eligible for Discounts to Schools and Libraries
Source: FCC
http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Public_Notices/1998/da981110.html
Issue: Universal Service
Description: "On May 8, 1997, the Federal Communications Commission
(Commission) released a Report and Order on Universal Service (Universal
Service Order). In the Universal Service Order, the Commission determined
that all eligible schools and libraries should receive discounts on all
telecommunications services, Internet access, and internal connections
provided by telecommunications carriers, as well as on Internet access and
internal connections provided by non-telecommunications carriers. The Common
Carrier Bureau (Bureau) reiterates that schools and libraries are not
eligible to receive support for services or equipment that do not qualify as
telecommunications services, Internet access, or internal connections.
Personal computers, fax machines, and modems, for example, are not eligible
for universal service support discounts. The Bureau also emphasizes that no
universal support will be provided for asbestos removal, teacher training,
telephone handsets, the costs of tearing down walls to install wiring,
repairing carpets, or repainting...."
Title: FCC Reforms Universal Service Support Mechanism for
Schools and Libraries
Source: FCC
http://www.fcc.gov
Issue: Universal Service
Description: "The Commission has modified the mechanism by which schools and
libraries will
receive discounts on communications services. In an Order adopted [Friday], the
Commission revised the funding year for the schools and libraries support
mechanism;
froze the amount of funding at current rates; revised the disbursement rules
to ensure that
the most disadvantaged schools and libraries get priority for support; and
made other
administrative changes consistent with the intent of Congress...." [Full
text of press release will be posted to this list today.]
** Internet: Policy & Users **
Title: Family Sues Library for Not Restricting Children's Internet Access
Source: New York Times (CyberTimes)
http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/98/06/cyber/articles/14library.html
Author: Pamela Mendels
Issue: Libraries
Description: A Livermore, California library is being sued because a young
patron downloaded sexually graphic images from its computers. "The library
is violating its basic duty to the community: to provide a safe place to
acquire knowledge," said Michael D. Millen, the lawyer who filed the suit.
In a letter to the city, Mr. Millen suggested filtering software as a
solution. "There is no effective way of screening the Internet without
interfering with First Amendment rights," said Daniel G. Sodergren, the
assistant city attorney for Livermore. "Filters take out material protected
by the First Amendment." Mendels reports, "the suit suggests that American
public libraries are now between a legal rock and a hard place, as some
patrons demand filters while others ask the courts to ban them. Late last
year, in a federal case that could be seen as the mirror opposite of the
Livermore suit, the Loudoun County [VA] public library system was sued by
some patrons for providing only filtered access to the Internet. That case
is still pending, but the anti-filtering forces have won an important
preliminary court victory."
Title: Critics Contend U.S. Policy On the Internet Has 2 Big Flaws
Source: New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/yr/mo/biztech/articles/15clinton.html
Author: Jeri Clausing
Issue: Electronic Commerce
Description: Critics of the Clinton Administration say that two unresolved
issues may slow the growth of Internet commerce: privacy and encryption.
"The whole area of e-commerce is going to come unglued unless we solve the
crypto policy, unless we resolve the privacy issue," said David Farber, a
professor of computer science at the University of Pennsylvania and a board
member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Ira Magaziner, the
Administration's top Internet policy adviser, says that there has been a lot
of success in meeting the President's one-year old framework for a tax-free,
self-regulated digital marketplace: international accords and pending
domestic legislation to keep the Internet a tax-free zone, development of a
self-governing and competitive domain name system, and a treaty on digital
copyrights in cyberspace. See "A 13-Step Internet Program"
http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/98/06/biztech/articles/15clinton-side.h
tml, an overview and status report on the Administration's proposals and
goals for promoting electronic commerce.
Title: Wielding Mouse and Modem, Elderly Remain in the Loop
Source: New York Times (A1)
http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/national/regional/ny-elderly-compute.
html
Author: Jane Gross
Issue: Seniors & the Net
Description: Gross reports, "Americans old enough to be the typical hacker's
grandparents are clamoring for computer instruction in community centers,
colleges and libraries across America." Modern Maturity magazine is planning
its first technology issue for November and retirement communities are
installing high-speed modems to try to lure the next generation of
residents. The motivation for seniors to get online appears to be keeping in
touch with distant children and grandchildren, but, for some, it is a desire
to understand and contribute when someone talks about the Microsoft
antitrust case of kids & porn on the web. "When people talk, I want to know
what they're talking about," said Carmela Trapasso, 83. "Otherwise, you're
lost in your own world, one of those people saying, 'We used to do this and
we used to do that."'
** The Future of American Broadcasting **
Title: Just Talking: Public Broadcasting
Source: New York Times (C7)
http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/financial/media-talk.html
Author: Lawrie Mifflin
Issue: Public Broadcasting
Description: For about a year, House Telecommunications Subcommittee
Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-LA) has been floating the idea of trust fund for
public broadcasting. The proposed bill, co-sponsored by Subcommittee Ranking
Member Ed Markey (D-MA), has attracted little response. Rep Tauzin was
expected to announce the introduction of the bill to the House during an
address at the Public Broadcasting Service's annual meeting today. A staff
member indicated that Rep Tauzin's bill will now call for a nine-member
"blue-ribbon committee" to study the future of public broadcasting --
including the trust fund idea. For now, Rep Tauzin is proposing increased
Federal funding to help public television convert to digital.
Title: PIAC Meeting Transcript
Source: NTIA
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/pubintadvcom/junemtg/
Issue: Digital Television
Description: A transcript of the June 8 meeting of the Advisory Committee on
Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters is now
available. [For a summary of the meeting, see
http://www.benton.org/Policy/TV/meeting6.html]
** Antitrust **
Title: Most Approve Of Microsoft, A Poll Shows
Source: New York Times (C1)
http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/98/06/biztech/articles/15microsoft.html
Author: Steve Lohr w/Marjorie Connelly
Issue: Antitrust
Description: A majority of Americans believe that Microsoft is a monopoly
that should be investigated by the Department of Justice. The case presented
by the DOJ, however, has not tarnished Microsoft's reputation as a good
business that makes quality products. "Bill Gates has made an enormous
contribution to this nation's economy, creating jobs and wealth," said
Richard Denoyer, a 65-year-old education consultant in Evendale, Ohio. "But
you've got to give others a real chance to participate in these high-tech
markets as well. And it's the Government's responsibility to check things
out, to make sure that Microsoft is playing by the rules." For the poll
results see
http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/98/06/biztech/articles/15microsoft.1.GI
F.html.
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