MEDIA OWNERSHIP
FCC's Martin Backs Tough Challenge of Media Rules
Media Giant's Rally Sponsorship Raises Questions
INTERNET
Study Finds Parents an Important Influence on Children's Internet
Use
Iraq War Could Herald a New Age of Web-Based News Coverage
MEDIA OWNERSHIP
FCC'S MARTIN BACKS TOUGH CHALLENGE OF MEDIA RULES
According to sources, FCC Commissioner Kevin Martin reportedly believes that
the current media ownership rules would first have to meet "a very high
standard" in order to be kept on the books. "The FCC would need more
evidence to keep a rule than under the chairman's standard," said the source
-- a person close to Martin, according to the article. Martin's position
"makes it hard for him to vote to do anything but get rid of [the media
ownership rules]," said one industry lobbyist. Nevertheless, associates of
Martin say that he is "fair and willing to listen" when it comes to
broadcast rules.
[SOURCE: Yahoo! International News, AUTHOR: Mark Wigfield, Dow Jones
Newswires]
(http://sg.biz.yahoo.com/030318/15/393k1.html)
MEDIA GIANT'S RALLY SPONSORSHIP RAISES QUESTIONS
Clear Channel Communications, Inc., owner of more than 1200 radio stations
nationwide, has sponsored several pro-war rallies in US cities, a move that
has drawn criticism from legal scholars and media watchdogs. "I can't say
that this violates any of a broadcaster's obligations, but it sounds like
borderline manufacturing of the news," said University of Virginia law
professor Glen Robinson, a former FCC Commissioner. Though the company has
promoted some of the rallies on its Web site, Clear Channel maintains that
it has not directed its stations to hold the events. Rick Morris of
Northwestern University posited that since the FCC repealed the Fairness
Doctrine in 1987, radio stations have felt more at ease with editorializing.
"They've just begun stretching their legs, being more politically active,"
Morris said.
[SOURCE: The Chicago Tribune, AUTHOR: Tim Jones]
(http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/showcase/chi-0303190157mar19.story)
INTERNET
STUDY FINDS PARENTS AN IMPORTANT INFLUENCE ON CHILDREN'S INTERNET USE
Despite a marked increase in children's use of the Internet over the past
two years, children in underserved populations still experience a lag in
both home and school access. A new report from the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting entitled "Connected to the Future" examines the trends and
implications of children connecting to the Web. The report found that almost
two-thirds of American children between the ages of two and 17 logged onto
the Internet during 2002. The biggest gain -- a 205 percent increase --
occurred among African-American children. The report also warns of a growing
broadband digital divide in which the preponderance of high-speed Internet
customers come from upper-income families.
[SOURCE: Corporation for Public Broadcasting]
(http://www.cpb.org/ed/resources/connected)
IRAQ WAR COULD HERALD A NEW AGE OF WEB-BASED NEWS COVERAGE
With broadband Web access reaching more homes, news outlets have altered the
way in which they plan to cover the potential military conflict in Iraq.
Live streaming video feeds, reporters with wireless laptops and high-quality
3-D imaging over the Web characterize the change, combining "the speed of
television with the depth of print." A key question is whether the public is
willing to pay for such coverage -- outlets such as ABC News and CNN have
recently introduced premium pay services, but few have subscribed.
[SOURCE: USA Today, AUTHOR: Jon Swartz]
(http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2003-03-18-iraq-internet_x.htm)
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