Communications-Related Headlines for March 31, 2003

OWNERSHIP
War Puts Radio Giant on the Defensive
War Coverage Could Alter U.S. Media Policy

PRIVACY
Freedom, Technology and the Net

TELEVISION
HDTV's Acceptance Picks up Pace

OWNERSHIP

WAR PUTS RADIO GIANT ON THE DEFENSIVE
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. has come under attack recently for its
alleged attempts to use its market size to influence public opinion about
the military conflict in Iraq, prompting the media giant to hire a crisis
communications firm. Specifically, critics claim that Clear Channel has
sponsored pro-war rallies, pulled certain artists or songs from the airwaves
and attempted to silence performers with anti-war messages at
company-promoted concerts. The company denies that it has a coordinated
political agenda, despite close ties between its board of directors and the
Bush administration. Some critics say that even if the company's activities
may not represent a coordinated conspiracy, the shut-out of anti-war songs
and messages leaves artists with fewer outlets for dissent.
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: John Schwartz and Geraldine Fabrikant]
(http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/31/business/media/31RADI.html)

WAR COVERAGE COULD ALTER U.S. MEDIA POLICY
The US-led military conflict in Iraq has provided new context to proposed
changes in the FCC's media ownership rules. Both sides of the debate claim
to draw support for their argument from the war coverage in the US. FCC
Chairman Michael Powell, an outspoken advocate of relaxing or repealing the
rules, says that the up-to-the-minute front-line coverage has been
"thrilling," adding that media companies should be allowed to maximize
efficiency and resources in order to cover world events. On the other hand,
opponents of consolidation cite the drastic difference in coverage
domestically from the rest of the world. "What's so interesting is the stark
comparison of coverage from elsewhere and the US TV networks, especially
since the networks have their hand out right now for the Bush administration
to grant them this change," said Jeff Chester of the Center for Digital
Democracy.
[SOURCE: Sunspot.net, AUTHOR: Andrew Ratner, The Baltimore Sun]
(http://www.sunspot.net/business/bal-bz.media30mar30,0,631118.story)

PRIVACY

FREEDOM, TECHNOLOGY AND THE NET
[Commentary] CNET's Declan McCullagh reports that this week's Computers,
Freedom and Privacy conference in New York will provide "the most
interesting" forum on issues pertaining to freedom and technology. CFP is
the longest-running event of its kind, and this year it will sponsor lively
debates over topics such as the Pentagon's Total Information Awareness
system and the Transportation Administration's passenger profiling plan. CFP
also plans to make this year's conference more international in scope. While
McCullagh applauds forums such as the CFP for addressing political means of
combating government intrusion, he argues that political battles alone are
not enough to protect privacy, anonymity and free speech. He urges
technologists to continue to develop and use technologies that keep users
ahead of the policy, moving quickly to make repressive laws obsolete.
[SOURCE: CNET News, AUTHOR: Declan McCullagh]
(http://news.com.com/2010-1071-994654.html?tag=fd_nc_1)

TELEVISION

HDTV'S ACCEPTANCE PICKS UP PACE
With the price of TV sets falling and the number of high-definition TV
broadcasts rising, demand for HDTV is finally picking up. Programming has
expanded beyond special events, now ranging from prime-time network fare to
sporting events. Analysts have not been surprised by the rate of adoption to
this point. "It took 10 years for the nation to make the transition from
black and white to color, and monaural to stereo TV," said Gerry Kaufhold of
In-Stat/MDR, "and that's how long the transition to digital will take."
[SOURCE: The New York Times, AUTHOR: Eric A. Taub]
(http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/31/technology/31HDTV.html)

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