For upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org/calendar.htm
NEWS FROM FCC MEETING
FCC Pulls Ownership Off Agenda
Review of Closed Captioning Rules
FCC Acts to Improve Communications Services for Disabled
PUBLIC BROADCASTING
Senate Appropriations Restores CPB Funds
Muzzling the Muppets
Major GOP Donor Favored as Next CPB Chairman
MARKETING
Food Industry Defends Marketing to Children
TV Feeds Kids Fewer Food Ads, FTC Staff Study Finds
INTERNET
UN Panel Fails to agree on How to Govern Internet
Open the doors to broadband access; don't slam them shut
TELECOS
Robbins Calls for a 'Fair Ballgame'
Texas Legislation May Pave Way For Phone
Companies' TV Service
Lawmakers Balk at Cellphones on Jets
QUICKLY -- Media Reform and Media Revolution; Reps Propose MRC Domain Over=
=20
TV Ratings; PTC Says ABC Missed F-Word; Younger students excel in reading
NEWS FROM FCC MEETING
FCC PULLS OWNERSHIP OFF AGENDA
The FCC pulled media ownership off its meeting agenda Thursday to debate=20
the issue some more. The Commission had been scheduled to start the ball=20
rolling Thursday on its review of media ownership rules remanded to it by a=
=20
Philadelphia appeals court. Explaining the move, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin=
=20
said: "We were still debating some of the issues back and forth about how=
=20
much time for comment, what we should do about making sure there is=20
adequate public input. So we=92re still debating some of the issues." After=
=20
the morning meeting, Chairman Martin said, "We have been working hard on=20
trying to end up addressing the media ownership issue. We=92re trying to mo=
ve=20
aggressively on trying to start up a new proceeding and we'll continue=20
working on the issues. But there hasn't been another date [set]."=20
Communications Daily reports that FCC Chairman Martin suggested a 120-day=
=20
comment cycle on media ownership rules, 5 public hearings and $200,000 for=
=20
independent studies of the issue. But Commissioners Adelstein and Copps=20
said that wasn't enough. =93It fell last time because lack of process,=94=
=20
Commissioner Copps told reporters after the meeting.
=93The courts didn't like it, Congress didn't like it and the American peop=
le=20
didn't like it. So we need to make sure we have a process in place that=92s=
=20
open, that the public can participate in and that=92s transparent.=94 Media=
=20
reform groups urged the FCC to review the rules in an open and=20
comprehensive way. Consumers Union, Media Access Project, Free Press and=20
other groups said the Commission should address all media ownership rules=
=20
at once, including those that let one firm own 2 TV stations in one=20
community. =93They must be considered together because each of these rules=
=20
has a significant impact on the diversity of voices, or lack of diversity,=
=20
a community will have,=94 the groups said.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA625713?display=3DBreaking+New...
eferral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)
* Discord at FCC Stalling Debate
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-fcc15jul15,1,6810277....
ry?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business
(requires registration)
* FCC Pulls Broadcast Ownership Item and Makes My Summer Easier
http://www.wetmachine.com//item/323
FCC LAUNCHES REVIEW OF CLOSED CAPTIONING RULES
The Commission has begun a proceeding to assess how its closed captioning=
=20
rules are succeeding in ensuring that video programming is accessible to=20
the millions of deaf and hard of hearing Americans and whether any=20
revisions should be made to enhance the effectiveness of those rules. It=
=20
asked for comments on several compliance and quality issues relating to=20
closed captioning that were raised in a Petition for Rulemaking filed by=20
Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. (TDI), the National Association of=20
the Deaf, Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, Inc., the Association for=
=20
Late Deafened Adults, and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy=20
Network. The Commission is interested in comments about various aspects of=
=20
closed captioning. It asked commenters to address the following types of=
=20
issues: Is there a need to adopt standards for non-technical quality of=20
closed captioning, such as, for example, accuracy of transcription? What=
=20
would be the costs of mandating such standards? Should any non-technical=
=20
quality standards be different for pre-produced programs versus live=20
programming? Is there a need for additional procedures to prevent and=20
remedy technical problems such as, for example, captions not being=20
delivered intact, or captions ending before the end of the programming? If=
=20
so, what form should they take? Should distributors have specific=20
mechanisms in place for monitoring and maintenance? Should the existing=20
complaint procedure be changed? Should the Commission establish specific=20
per violation forfeiture amounts for non-compliance with the captioning=20
rules? Should the Commission require video programming distributors to=20
file compliance reports as to the amount of closed captioning they provide?=
=20
Should the ban on counting electronic newsroom technique captioning to meet=
=20
captioning requirements be extended beyond the top 25 markets? What is the=
=20
current status on the supply of available captioners? Should the Commission=
=20
require electronic filing of requests for exemption from the closed=20
captioning requirements?
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-259990A1.doc
FCC ACTS TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES FOR DISABLED
The FCC approved a package of orders Thursday aimed at improving=20
communications tools for hearing- and speech-impaired people. At its agenda=
=20
meeting, the Commission: 1) Set standards to make sure Video Relay Service=
=20
(VRS) functions fully, 2) Decided Spanish translation VRS can be=20
compensated from the interstate Telecom Relay Service (TRS) fund, and 3)=20
Clarified that 2-line captioned telephone service also is eligible for=20
interstate TRS fund compensation.
[SOURCE: Communications Daily, AUTHOR: Edie Herman]
(Not available online)
* New Rules Adopted to Improve Video Relay Service
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-259991A1.doc
* ASL-Spanish Translation Video Relay Service Eligible for Compensation=20
from Interstate TRS Fund
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-259992A1.doc
* Commission Clarifies that Two-line Captioned Telephone Service is=20
Eligible for Compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-259989A1.doc
PUBLIC BROADCASTING
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS RESTORES CPB FUNDS
The Senate Appropriations Committee Thursday voted to restore more than=20
$100 million the House wants to strip from 2006 funding for public=20
television. The measure proposes restoring $400 million in fiscal 2008=20
advance funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting as well as=20
providing $35 million in 2006 for CPB to pass on to rural TV stations=20
needing help constructing digital television facilities and a $40 million=
=20
installment for the replacement of Public Television=92s aging satellite=20
interconnection system. In addition, $25 million was approved for Ready To=
=20
Learn, the PBS program for funding educational shows. The measure also=20
would earmark $11 million for Ready To Teach.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Bill McConnell]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA625914.html?display=3DBreakin...
ews&referral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)
MUZZLING THE MUPPETS
Ken Tomlinson may be America's most accomplished propagandist. He got his=
=20
start as an intern for Fulton Lewis Jr., who ruled right-wing radio when=20
Rush Limbaugh was still in diapers. In the early 1980s, Tomlinson ran Voice=
=20
of America, promoting the policies of Ronald Reagan to the rest of the=20
world. As editor in chief of Reader's Digest in the early 1990s, he=20
published the most reliably reactionary magazine in the country. Now, as=20
President Bush's handpicked chairman of the Corporation for Public=20
Broadcasting, Tomlinson is in a position to spread the Republican message=
=20
to Sesame Street. Instead of simply threatening to cut federal funding for=
=20
PBS -- as Nixon, Reagan and Newt Gingrich did -- the Bush administration=20
has taken a new approach. Far from standing as a firewall against outside=
=20
political pressure, Tomlinson is trying to force PBS to toe the Republican=
=20
line, turning the network into a taxpayer-funded facsimile of Fox News.
[SOURCE: Rolling Stone, AUTHOR: Tim Dickinson]
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/_/id/7483528?pageid=3Drs.Home...
geregion=3Dsingle7&rnd=3D1121357870193&has-player=3Dtrue
MAJOR DONOR FAVORED AS NEXT CPB CHAIRMAN
Cheryl F. Halpern, who was appointed to the CPB board by President Bush=20
three years ago, is in line to replace Kenneth Y. Tomlinson as the head of=
=20
the agency that distributes federal funds to noncommercial radio and TV=20
stations and serves as a buffer between public broadcasting and politicians=
=20
seeking to influence its news reporting and programming. Tomlinson's second=
=20
one-year term expires in September and he cannot be reappointed. He has=20
stirred debate in recent months by contending that programs carried by the=
=20
Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR) favor=20
liberal views. He has spearheaded an effort to address the issue, amid=20
denials of bias by NPR and PBS officials. Halpern, a lawyer and real-estate=
=20
developer in New Jersey, is a close ally of Tomlinson's and is part of the=
=20
five-member Republican majority that controls the CPB board (Democrats hold=
=20
three seats, one of which is vacant). Halpern's association with Tomlinson=
=20
stretches back more than a decade, to when both were on the board of the=20
agency that oversees the federal government's international broadcasting=20
services, such as Voice of America and Radio Free Europe. Halpern and her=
=20
husband, Fred, have been major financial supporters of Republican=20
candidates for years. At one point during the 2004 elections, Mother Jones=
=20
magazine ranked the Halperns among the nation's top 100 "hard" money donors=
=20
(contributions made directly to candidates, not party organizations) and=20
said they contributed a total of $81,800 to, among others, President Bush=
=20
and Republican Sens. Trent Lott (Miss.), Sam Brownback (Kan.), Conrad Burns=
=20
(Mont.) and Christopher Bond (Mo.). The magazine said that 95 percent of=20
their contributions during that election cycle went to Republicans.
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Paul Farhi]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/14/AR200507...
2099.html
(requires registration)
MARKETING
FOOD INDUSTRY DEFENDS MARKETING TO CHILDREN
About 350 food company executives, government officials, consumer advocates=
=20
and academics packed a meeting room at the Federal Trade Commission's=20
offices yesterday to discuss a wide range of issues on marketing food to=20
children. One topic not up for discussion was the idea of government=20
regulation. As the food marketing to children comes under increasing=20
criticism from legislators, advocacy groups and parents, food companies=20
have often expressed the view that they would be better off regulating=20
themselves than having the government intervene. The government,=20
apparently, could not agree more. In her opening remarks, the chairwoman of=
=20
the Federal Trade Commission, Deborah Platt Majoras, said that having the=
=20
government ban the marketing of certain types of foods was "neither wise=20
nor viable." "Under the right circumstances, industry-generated action can=
=20
address problems more quickly, creatively and flexibly than government=20
regulation," she said.
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Melanie Warner]
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/15/business/15adco.html
(requires registration)
* Food marketers hope veggies look fun to kids
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20050715/obesity15.art.htm
TV FEEDS KIDS FEWER FOOD ADS, FTC STAFF STUDY FINDS
Children see significantly fewer television ads promoting food products=20
today than they did 28 years ago, according to a new study by the staff of=
=20
the Federal Trade Commission. Today, children watch about 13 food=20
advertisements a day on television, down from more than 18 in 1977, the=20
agency staff said. The staff study did not address how many other food ads=
=20
kids see through other kinds of promotions, including online gaming,=20
package promotions and in-school marketing. The new study was released=20
yesterday at the start of a two-day government workshop, sponsored by the=
=20
FTC and the Department of Health and Human Services, to explore the effect=
=20
of kids' marketing on obesity and the food advertising industry's efforts=
=20
to self-regulate advertisements. The incidence of childhood obesity has=20
more than doubled since 1970. Advertising critics, such as Susan Linn, a=20
Harvard psychologist who is also founder of the Campaign for a=20
Commercial-Free Childhood, attributed the drop to the fact that advertisers=
=20
are promoting their products in many other ways, including packaging and on=
=20
the Internet in online games. She added that the drop in TV ads also did=20
not reflect the increasing use of popular characters such as SpongeBob=20
SquarePants in food for kids, such as sugary cereal and fruit snacks. As a=
=20
result, she said, the "SpongeBob SquarePants" show "becomes a whole=20
commercial for tons and tons and tons of junk food." William Dietz,=20
director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's division of=20
nutrition and physical activity, said there is a direct link between the=20
amount of TV children watch and their likelihood of being overweight. He=20
said reducing the amount of TV viewing could be a more effective way to=20
combat obesity in kids than increasing physical activity.
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Caroline E. Mayer]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/14/AR200507...
2051.html
(requires registration)
INTERNET
UN PANEL FAILS TO AGREE ON HOW TO GOVERN INTERNET
A group set up by the United Nations to come up with a global plan for=20
managing the Internet said on Thursday that it has been unable to agree on=
=20
who should do the job or how it should be done. The Working Group on=20
Internet Governance instead came up with four rival models for overseeing=
=20
the Web and sorting out technical and public policy questions. Among the=20
governance options put forward by the group were a continuation of the=20
current system, creation of a world body to address public policy issues=20
stemming from the work of ICANN, and creation of a body to address a=20
broader range of public policy issues. The fourth option is to create three=
=20
bodies, one to address policy issues, one for oversight and one for global=
=20
coordination. The group also recommended a coordinated global effort to=20
combat spam, or junk e-mails, and urged that law enforcement authorities=20
respect the right to freedom of expression when they crack down on=20
Internet-related crimes.
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Irwin Arieff]
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=3DinternetNews&storyID=
=3D2005-07-14T221616Z_01_N14734082_RTRIDST_0_NET-TECH-INTERNET-UN-DC.XML
* U.N. panel presents 4 Internet options
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/technology/12139577.htm
OPEN THE DOORS TO BROADBAND ACCESS; DON'T SLAM THEM SHUT
[Commentary] A century ago, there were efforts to prevent local governments=
=20
from providing electricity to residents. Opponents argued that private=20
businesses would suffer if they faced competition from cities and towns.=20
But community leaders recognized that their economic survival depended on=
=20
the availability of electricity, and they knew it would take both private=
=20
and public investment to bring electricity to all Americans. Today we hear=
=20
the same arguments against local communities=92 offering broadband =97 and=
=20
these arguments are no more valid than they were 100 years ago. That is why=
=20
I joined with Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) to introduce the Community Broadband=
=20
Act of 2005. Our bill would give a green light to local communities that=20
want to help themselves by providing broadband to their citizens. Senator=
=20
McCain and I are seeking to protect local rights. Our bill says that no=20
state can prohibit a municipality from offering broadband to its citizens=
=20
and that when a municipality does become a provider it can't abuse its=20
authority to discriminate against private competitors. The Internet today=
=20
is not a playground for a privileged few. It has become an essential=20
resource to which all Americans should have access. By allowing local=20
governments to fill the gaps in service, the Community Broadband Act will=
=20
move us toward this goal.
[SOURCE: The Hill, AUTHOR: Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ)]
http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/071305/ss_...
tenburg.html
TELECOS
ROBBINS CALLS FOR A 'FAIR BALLGAME'
Baby Bell entry into video on terms and conditions never given to cable=20
companies would represent unfair competition, Cox Communications Inc. CEO=
=20
James Robbins said Thursday. "I don't think that's a fair ballgame," he=20
said, adding that his views were not designed to block competition. "I want=
=20
the other guys to come in, bring them all on, but bring them on under the=
=20
same set of rules. That's all we are asking for." Phone-company interest in=
=20
overbuilding cable companies was a widely discussed topic by Robbins and=20
other panelists at the New England Cable & Telecommunications Association's=
=20
annual summer conference. Congress is working on legislation expected to=20
address franchising requirements. National Cable & Telecommunications=20
Association president Kyle McSlarrow said his message to Congress is that=
=20
it should treat all wire-line video providers the same.
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA625905.html?display=3DBreaking+News
(requires subscription)
TEXAS LEGISLATURE MAY PAVE WAY FOR PHONE COMPANIES' TV SERVICE
The Texas state legislature is considering a bill that would permit phone=
=20
companies to enter the video market without seeking franchises from=20
individual municipalities, as cable companies have long been required to=20
do. The Texas Senate has already approved the bill and the House was=20
holding hearings on it last night. Cable companies say the legislation=20
would give telephone companies an unfair advantage. Typically, cable=20
companies have to offer their services throughout the municipality that=20
gives them the franchise. If this measure becomes law, however, video=20
providers would be exempt from providing service throughout their entire=20
territory. The bill bans companies from discriminating based on income, but=
=20
consumer groups say the language is too vague. Under the proposed=20
legislation, cable companies would be relieved of their current obligations=
=20
when their local franchises expire.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Dionne Searcey dionne.searcey( at )wsj.com=
=20
and Peter Grant peter.grant( at )wsj.com]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB112138423834386264,00.html?mod=3Dtoda...
us_marketplace
(requires subscription)
LAWMAKERS BALK AT CELLPHONES ON JETS
The House aviation subcommittee held a hearing on in-flight communications=
=20
yesterday. While many business travelers are pressing to use their=20
cellphones on flights, Federal Aviation Administration officials are moving=
=20
slowly on studying their safety. In addition, public comments suggest that=
=20
a lot of travelers don't want to listen to others' phone calls. The=20
slow-track FAA review of cellphone usage also is slowing consideration of=
=20
wireless Internet usage on planes. FAA officials yesterday insisted telecom=
=20
carriers and airlines will be required to undertake rigorous safety testing=
=20
of any wireless device, including cellphones and wireless Internet, before=
=20
allowing them to be used onboard. Justice Department and Homeland Security=
=20
officials have said that if cellphone usage is allowed they would like the=
=20
FCC to require surveillance access to voice and data traffic on planes and=
=20
to establish rules that would allow federal officials to pinpoint the seat=
=20
location of people using phones inside planes. It isn't clear whether the=
=20
FCC has authority to require such measures and if some of the requests are=
=20
technically feasible.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Amy Schatz Amy.Schatz( at )wsj.com]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB112138245228186210,00.html?mod=3Dtoda...
us_marketplace
(requires subscription)
* Feds seek ability to monitor in-flight cell calls, e-mail
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20050715/aircells15.art.htm
QUICKLY
MEDIA REFORM AND MEDIA REVOLUTION
[Commentary] The dominant evaluation of this year=92s National Conference o=
n=20
Media Reform is that it was an overwhelming success. On the contrary --=20
relative to where the movement could and should be -- the conference=92s=20
achievements seem underwhelming as political divisions, a dearth of=20
democracy, and a short-sighted agenda threaten the future effectiveness of=
=20
the movement.
[SOURCE: Zmag, AUTHOR: Dru Oja Jay]
http://mediachannel.org/blog/node/153
* No News, Good News
A Q&A with Free Press founder Robert McChesney about propaganda, PBS, and=
=20
punditry.
[SOURCE: Village Voice, AUTHOR: Joseph McCombs]
http://villagevoice.com/people/0528,interview,65909,24.html
REPS PROPOSE MRC DOMAIN OVER TV RATINGS
Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX) and Congressman Vito Fossella (R-NY)=20
introduced the Television Viewer Protection Act Thursday that would require=
=20
new TV ratings systems to have full approval from the Media Ratings Council=
=20
to operate. The proposed legislation is similar to the FAIR Act (for=20
fairness, accuracy, inclusivity and responsiveness) that was introduced in=
=20
the Senate by Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont) two weeks ago.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Allison Romano]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA625910?display=3DBreaking+New...
eferral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)
* Ratings-Oversight Bill Hits House
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA625908.html?display=3DBreaking+News
PTC SAYS ABC MISSED F-WORD
The Parents Television Council has filed an indecency complaint against an=
=20
ABC affiliate which aired the Live 8 concert because an obscenity slipped=
=20
past screeners. ABC concedes it missed the offending lyric in the East=20
Coast feed, but says it edited out the lyric from the Mountain and West=20
Coast feeds. =93The program was aired on a tape delay, which should have=20
given ABC ample time to edit all obscenities from the concert prior to=20
broadcast,=94 said Tim Winter, PTC executive director. =93ABC took steps to=
=20
edit other profanity from the broadcast. But given the time of day that=20
this program aired (8 p.m.), the broad family appeal of the Live 8 event,=
=20
as well as the program=92s PG rating, ABC should have been more diligent.=
=94
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA625805.html?display=3DBreakin...
ews&referral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)
YOUNGER STUDENTS EXCEL IN READING
Credit Harry Potter, higher standards or tough-as-nails elementary school=
=20
teachers, but a new federal report says the typical 9-year-old in the USA=
=20
now reads more each day than a 17-year-old. The difference shows:=20
Statistics released Thursday show that 9-year-olds' reading skills have=20
risen since 1971, and the biggest jump has come in the past five years.=20
Reading skills of high schoolers have actually dipped since 1999 and are=20
essentially unchanged in a generation. The results come from the National=
=20
Assessment of Educational Progress, a congressionally mandated standardized=
=20
test. They show that 17-year-olds' skills actually declined in both math=20
and reading, while the scores of younger students improved in both.
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: Greg Toppo]
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20050715/1a_lede15.art.htm
* US Report Card: Young readers make big gains
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0715/p01s01-ussc.html
--------------------------------------------------------------
BELIEVE.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Communications-related Headlines is a free online news summary service=20
provided by the Benton Foundation (www.benton.org). Posted Monday through=
=20
Friday, this service provides updates on important industry developments,=
=20
policy issues, and other related news events. While the summaries are=20
factually accurate, their often informal tone does not always represent the=
=20
tone of the original articles. Headlines are compiled by Kevin Taglang=20
(headlines( at )benton.org) -- we welcome your comments.
--------------------------------------------------------------