OWNERSHIP
FCC Proposals Will Undermine Diversity
US to Challenge Deal by EchoStar to Acquire DirecTV
INTERNET
Iraq Debate Plays Out Online
Does Search Engine's Power Threaten Web's Independence?
DIGITAL DIVIDE
Why Simputer? Why Not?
SPECTRUM
Powell Takes Path to Free Up Airwaves
OWNERSHIP
FCC PROPOSALS WILL UNDERMINE DIVERSITY
Accused again of failing to assess public opinion before ruling on key
issues, the FCC has been asked by a coalition of over 40 consumer, civil
rights and media advocacy groups to hold public hearings on its proposed
relaxation of media ownership rules. A report released today by the Consumer
Federation of America demonstrates that the public's view of media
concentration and the control of digital communication networks stands "in
sharp contrast" to FCC priorities. "In a democratic society that relies on
media companies to distribute news and information, the government should
not base its decisions to allow media consolidation on the views of the
media companies themselves," said Gene Kimmelman, director of Consumers
Union's Washington DC Office.
[SOURCE: Consumer Federation of America]
(http://www.consumerfed.org/HearingsRelease10.31.02.pdf)
US TO CHALLENGE DEAL BY ECHOSTAR TO ACQUIRE DIRECTV
The US Department of Justice and several states intend to mount a court
challenge to the proposed EchoStar-DirecTV merger today. Sources close to
the proceeding say that the DOJ has rejected efforts by EchoStar earlier
this week to introduce competition by selling some of its spectrum and
satellite capacity to Cablevision. Neither the DOJ nor the FCC was ever
convinced that Cablevision would prove to be a sufficient competitor in the
marketplace, though the company "remain[s] optimistic" that their role will
be approved by regulators.
[SOURCE: The New York Times, AUTHOR: Andrew Ross Sorkin]
(http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/31/business/media/31ECHO.html)
INTERNET
DOES SEARCH ENGINE'S POWER THREATEN WEB'S INDEPENDENCE?
Has Google's ascent to the top of the search engine food chain given it
control over the Web? Several Internet companies claim that it has. They say
that if you fall out of favor with the Web's top search engine, watch
revenues fall along with your search ranking. According to some Internet
observers, if Google doesn't list your site prominently in its search
results, "you might as well not exist," prompting calls for regulation of
the engine as a quasi-public entity. While Google's "victims" claim that
paid advertising is the sure-fire way to stay in the portal's good graces,
Google Chief Technology Officer Craig Silverstein states that advertisers do
not get preferential treatment. Nevertheless, the company is looking into
its ranking system, aware of the growing criticism.
[SOURCE: CNET News, AUTHOR: Stefanie Olsen]
(http://news.com.com/2009-1023-963618.html?tag=fd_lede1_img)
IRAQ DEBATE PLAYS OUT ONLINE
With the growing debate over Iraq, the Internet has become an essential
forum for mobilizing support against war. Talking advantage of the low
operating costs and infinite reach of the Web, groups are using the Net
disseminate information, coordinate plans and form coalitions. "We have
organized protests of thousands of people within hours of a bombing," said
Sarah Sloane, an organizer with ANSWER, an international coalition of
organizations devoted to ending war and racism. "Bush can call a press
conference and have instant national coverage, so that view is represented
in the public sphere," said Dale Herbeck, chairman of the communications
department at Boston College. "On alternative places like the Internet, you
can find the other side. The Internet is the great equalizer."
[SOURCE: MSNBC, AUTHOR: Rachel Elbaum]
(http://www.msnbc.com/news/825489.asp?0dm=C19NN)
DIGITAL DIVIDE
WHY SIMPUTER? WHY NOT?
(Commentary) The recent launch of the Simputer, a low-cost handheld device
intended to bring the benefits of computer technology to disadvantaged
communities, has been received with a mix of hope and skepticism. While the
Simputer is not a silver bullet for the problems that plague impoverished
countries, such a device can play "a special role in speeding up development
in the Third World," says Kanti Kumar, co-editor of the Digital Opportunity
Channel. The value of the Simputer, which was developed in India, has "more
to do with its philosophy than its features," according to Kumar. He
explains that the devise provides proof "that developing nations can build
their own solutions to their problems and need not accept generously doled
out pre-fabricated, proprietary and expensive technologies."
[SOURCE: Digital Opportunity Channel, AUTHOR: Kanti Kumar]
(http://www.digitalopportunity.org/fulltext/kanti20021030.shtml)
SPECTRUM
POWELL TAKES PATH TO FREE UP AIRWAVES
FCC Chairman Michael Powell has proposed loosening restrictions on the use
of scarce spectrum space. Powell has been touted as a free-market proponent
and has long sought to relax the rules regulating spectrum use and allow
more companies to use the US's quickly dwindling supply of airwaves.
Currently, the FCC sells licensees for specific blocks of frequencies for,
say, TV broadcasters or wireless companies, charging billions of dollars for
them at auction. Wireless companies fear that interference might result if
unlicensed services are allowed to share their spectrum. "People paid
billions for their licenses with the expectation of their ability to
perform," said Tom Wheeler of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet
Association.
[SOURCE: USA Today, AUTHOR: Paul Davidson]
(http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2002-10-29-spectrum_x.htm)
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