TPRC (the Research Conference on Communications, Information and Internet Policy) and the Benton Foundation announce the second year of the Charles Benton Junior Scholar Award recognizing scholarship in the area of digital inclusion and broadband adoption -- Deadline is May 31. More info here: http://www.tprcweb.com/charles-benton-junior-scholar-award
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FCC Gives Additional Funding to Restore Networks in Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands
The Federal Communications Commission approved additional immediate funding to accelerate the restoration of communications networks in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands that were damaged and destroyed during the 2017 hurricane season. The FCC is also seeking comment on injecting almost $900 million in medium- and long-term funding into expanding and improving broadband access on the islands. To accomplish these goals, the Commission created the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund (Bringing Puerto Rico Together Fund) and the Connect USVI Fund.
The Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking includes:
- An immediate infusion of approximately $64 million in additional funding for shortterm restoration efforts.
- Conversion of $65.8 million in advanced funding the Commission provided last year to carriers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands into new funding by declining to recover that advanced funding from future universal service support payments.
- Solicitation of public comment on a proposal to allocate over the next decade for the expansion of fixed broadband connectivity approximately $444.5 million in funding for Puerto Rico and $186.5 million for the US Virgin Islands.
- Solicitation of public comment on a proposal to allocate approximately $259 million in medium-term funding for the expansion of 4G LTE mobile broadband connectivity in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Internet Association urges flexibility in online political ad regulations
Large internet companies are pushing back against tougher election advertising regulations, asking the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to allow for some flexibility in how they disclose funding sources for political ads. The Internet Association (IA), a trade group representing the biggest web-based technology companies, said that the same disclosure requirements imposed on television and radio ads don’t work well for the internet. “IA’s recommended approach is to allow for more flexibility given the variety of ways that internet content is consumed and to preserve the ability of the IA’s members to innovate and to allow users of those platforms to innovate,” the filing reads. Internet companies have argued against requiring disclaimers on many ads due to space limitations, especially on mobile devices.
Hearst, Scripps Pitch 50% National Ownership Cap
Some high-profile broadcast groups have been telling the Federal Communications Commission they would be OK with moving the 39% national ownership cap to 50% from 39%, rather than eliminating it altogether. In filings at the FCC, Hearst Television, Scripps Media, Raycom Media, Gray Television, Graham Media, Quincy Media, Dispatch Broadcast Group and Morgan Murphy Media told the FCC they can support both a cap at 50% and eliminating the UHF discount for future broadcast groups, so long as current groups that would be over that 50% cap without the discount are grandfathered. They say that "will bring the Cap up to date with the current marketplace and strike a reasonable balance among the competing interests in play."
via Broadcasting&Cable
Roseanne Barr Incites Fury With Racist Tweet, and Her Show Is Canceled by ABC
ABC abruptly canceled “Roseanne” hours after Roseanne Barr, the show’s star and co-creator, posted a racist tweet about Valerie Jarrett, an African-American woman who was a senior adviser to Barack Obama throughout his presidency and considered one of his most influential aides. Barr wrote if the “muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj." Barr later apologized, but it was too late. In announcing the show’s cancellation, ABC’s entertainment president, Channing Dungey, said in a statement that “Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values.”
FCC Commissioner O'Rielly asks Amazon and eBay to boost crackdown on pirate TV boxes
Pirate TV boxes that falsely display the Federal Communications Commission logo should be removed from Amazon and eBay, said FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly. Commissioner O'Rielly wrote a letter to the Amazon and eBay CEOs asking them to crack down on set-top boxes that violate FCC rules. Amazon quickly responded, saying that it already takes steps to prevent sale of these products but that it is willing to step up enforcement if any such devices are still for sale on Amazon. Commissioner O'Rielly's letter didn't identify any specific products that need to be taken down from Amazon or eBay.
FCC Welcomes Successful Transition to New Number Porting Administrator
The Federal Communications Commission announced the successful completion of the transition to the new Local Number Portability Administrator (LNPA), Telcordia Technologies, doing business as iconectiv. The LNPA operates the system that allows consumers to keep their telephone numbers when they switch communications service providers, thereby promoting consumer choice and competition among those companies. It also provides critical services to our nation’s law enforcement and public safety communities.
21 journalists in six countries jailed on charges related to 'fake news' in 2017
A minimum of 21 journalists worldwide were imprisoned on charges connected to "fake news" in 2017, according to a new report from the Committee to Protect Journalists. The report cites the recent implementation of measures in countries such as Brazil, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Russia aimed at targeting the rise of fake news. Arrests blamed on fake news reportedly more than doubled from 2016. “The fake news rhetoric is having a very real impact on journalists around the world and literally leading to the imprisonment of reporters, and media organizations being kicked out of the country,” the said Committee to Protect Journalists' advocacy director Courtney Radsch.
via Hill, The
Former Trump staffer joins Sinclair Broadcasting
A former Trump campaign member who later joined the White House communications team is joining Sinclair Broadcasting Group as the network has weathered controversy in recent months over its pro-Trump leanings. Kaelan Dorr, who worked for the Trump campaign as a deputy communications adviser and later joined the White House as Director of Congressional Communications, will join the right-leaning network where he tweeted he will work alongside Boris Epshtyn as an executive political producer for the show.
via Hill, The
Benton (www.benton.org) provides the only free, reliable, and non-partisan daily digest that curates and distributes news related to universal broadband, while connecting communications, democracy, and public interest issues. Posted Monday through Friday, this service provides updates on important industry developments, policy issues, and other related news events. While the summaries are factually accurate, their sometimes informal tone may not always represent the tone of the original articles. Headlines are compiled by Kevin Taglang (headlines AT benton DOT org) and Robbie McBeath (rmcbeath AT benton DOT org) -- we welcome your comments.
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