INTERNET
Study Tracks Americans' Perceptions of the Internet
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Copyright Concerns Lead the Year's Big Fusses and Flaps
BROADCASTING
Hispanics Driving TV Growth
Voter News Service Is in Danger of Dissolution
Critics Fear Broadcast Flag Would Stomp on Consumer Rights
INTERNET
STUDY TRACKS AMERICANS' PERCEPTIONS OF THE INTERNET
According to a study conducted by the Pew Internet and American Life
Project, self-described Internet "non-users" have high expectations of the
information available to them on the Web, especially on topics such as
health care, government, news and shopping. While 64 percent of non-users
assume that they can research at least one of these topics online, 16
percent said that they would turn to the Internet first the next time they
needed health care or government information. John Horrigan, a senior
research specialist at Pew, stated that "[t]he Internet has become such a
go-to tool in America that even non-Internet users think it's an effective
way to get information," adding that nonusers may have either had access in
the past or have someone else in their household who can gain access for
them, clueing them in to what's available on the Web. The study also found
that 97 percent of Internet users shared these expectations.
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: Associated Press]
(http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2002-12-30-internet-stud
y_x.htm)
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
COPYRIGHT CONCERNS LEAD THE YEAR'S BIG FUSSES AND FLAPS
In his FastForward column, The Washington Post's Rob Pegoraro breaks down
the tech breakthroughs and busts of 2002, highlighting the copyright battle
that threatens to plague both consumers and content owners well into the new
year. The author notes the trends in illegal downloading and efforts to stop
such activity, such as designing restrictive consumer hardware, using
existing copyright law and lobbying for new legislation. Pegoraro expects
that content owners will eventually air on the side of economic solutions,
offering high quality, easy-to-use downloads for a small fee.
[SOURCE: The Washington Post, AUTHOR: Rob Pegoraro]
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46079-2002Dec27.html)
BROADCASTING
HISPANICS DRIVING TV GROWTH
Both network and cable TV are attempting to capture a rising Hispanic
viewership. Hispanics, it turns out, are driving the overall growth of the
country's television audience Through the use of secondary audio programs
(SAP), which have existed for several years, broadcasters are increasing
exposure to their content in primarily Spanish-speaking households,
particularly in major cities. While some experts doubt the real effect of
these efforts, no study of how often SAP is used has been conducted.
Further, noting that content is as equally important as language, critics
wonder why Hispanic viewers would watch a dubbed English program when they
could switch to Spanish channels such as Univision that offer culturally
relevant programming. Cable networks such as ESPN, who plans to offer a
sports network geared for Hispanic fans, may fare better.
[SOURCE: The New York Times, AUTHOR: Mireya Navarro]
(http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/30/business/media/30DEMO.html)
(requires registration)
CRITICS FEAR BROADCAST FLAG WOULD STOMP ON CONSUMER RIGHTS
With the transition to digital television, Hollywood is promoting a
"broadcast flag" to keep consumers from illegally redistributing copyright
works. The flag is essentially a few bits of information transmitted with a
broadcast that would be recognized by devices - whether set-top box, PC card
or handheld computer - that turn the signal into a viewable format. The mark
can restrict copying and redistribution of programming. Critics claim the
flag is the latest attempt to take control from consumers. "This has to do
with controlling the customary, expected uses of law-abiding consumers in
their homes," said Cory Doctorow of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
"When they say 'This keeps honest people honest,' they mean 'This keeps
honest people in chains.'" Additionally, critics worry that building in a
single, government-mandated type of security could stifle innovation,
especially if the approved technology is proprietary and secret.
[SOURCE: The Washington Post, AUTHOR: Matthew Fordahl]
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42953-2002Dec27.html)
VOTER NEWS SERVICE IS IN DANGER OF DISSOLUTION
The Associated Press and the major TV news networks may end their
decade-long partnership in the Voter News Service, which generates
statistical models to predict the outcomes of elections. The service
encountered problems in the 2000 presidential election, failing to properly
predict the outcome for the State of Florida. The partners had planned to
upgrade the computer system, but these recent discussions may halt such
efforts. Possible solutions include the networks going their own respective
way to survey voters and predict results. A decision may be made as early as
next week.
[SOURCE: The New York Times, AUTHOR: Jim Rutenberg]
(http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/30/business/30VNS.html)
(requires registration)
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