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Digital Beat
Here Benton Foundation Chairman and CEO Charles Benton and others offer their unique perspective on communications policy. We invite you to read and comment on these original posts, start by registering for a benton.org account.
Putting the Public Interest Back Into Communications Part II: Broadband for Everyone, Everywhere
Submitted by Charles Benton on September 28, 2008 - 7:26pmAn invitation to speak at the annual conference of the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, has Charles Benton thinking about defining our communications goals for the next Administration.
Putting the Public Interest Back Into Communications Part I: The Civil Rights Imperative
Submitted by Charles Benton on September 25, 2008 - 7:11pmOn September 18, Charles Benton was invited to speak at the annual conference of the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors. Benton was asked to appear on a panel titled "The Future of Communications: What is Coming in a New Administration and Beyond?" In these uncertain times, however, maybe it is too much for anyone or any one panel, to predict what our telecommunications future will look like. We can - and we should - however, take this moment to define our communications goals.
Children Now: The stakes are too high to sell children's needs short
Submitted by Benton Foundation on behalf of Patti Miller on September 24, 2008 - 8:04amSeptember 23, 2008 Children Now's Patti Miller testified before the US Senate on food marketing to children. She said that because there is no uniform nutrition standard; because unhealthy products creatively labeled as "better for you" are being passed off as healthy food for children; and because the media companies refuse to play a role in protecting children from the advertising of unhealthy food products, current voluntary industry initiatives to curb unhealthy food marketing to kids are not enough.
Why Broadband Matters
Submitted by Charles Benton on September 14, 2008 - 3:05pmThe Senate Commerce Committee meets September 16 to hear testimony on the consumer benefits of broadband service. The question of the day is Why Broadband Matters? Charles benton could offer a long list of reasons why broadband matters, but the list of reasons is too long to enumerate here because it is over 305 million names long. Broadband matters for every American.
"This" Is Our Digital Future?
Submitted by Charles Benton on August 21, 2008 - 1:22pmChicago has a rich media history, having been the center of the emerging broadcast industry in the early 1920's, home to the first radio station to broadcast the World Series, the "Chicago School of Television," and the city that pioneered the daytime-talk show format. Chicago has been an innovator and provider of high-quality content when new capacity demands new content. The question now is: As broadcast television migrates toward digital technology is Chicago media situated to be an innovative leader again? Unfortunately, the answer is "no." As the capacity of television broadcasters multiples with the migration to digital technology, far from acting as a model in creating new content and services, Chicago broadcasters are failing the community, mostly looking to the past for quick and cheap "solutions."
Saving Red Lion
Submitted by Charles Benton on August 4, 2008 - 7:39pmI was troubled to read over the weekend that the major broadcast television networks have filed briefs at the Supreme Court challenging Red Lion Broadcasting Co. v. Federal Communications Commission, one of the seminal cases in the history of US broadcasting and a decision that strikes the correct balance of rights between broadcasters and citizens.
The Future of Universal Service is Broadband
Submitted by Charles Benton on June 23, 2008 - 2:22pmOn Tuesday, a House hearing will consider the future of communications in America. The question of the day is whether America's future communications system should be based on 19th century technology - the telephone - or on 21st century digital broadband.
Accelerating the Great Broadband Migration
Submitted by Charles Benton on June 11, 2008 - 8:54amWe’re number 2! We’re number 2! China has now topped the United States in total number of broadband subscribers and its growth rate in this field doubles ours. In the U. S., we’re not used to being the runner-up. But when it comes to the Internet, we've become an “also ran” on the international scene.
Intersection of Race and Telecomm Policy: Media Power in Wrong Hands Brings Neither "Peace of Mind nor Serenity of Spirit"
Submitted by Benton Foundation on April 15, 2008 - 11:34amFor over 30 years, Honig has devoted his life to advocating for greater diversity and minority participation in media and telecommunications, both heavily regulated industries. As Congress, the Federal Communications Commission and even the courts have shaped policies with far-reaching consequences, David Honig has steadfastly monitored communications issues and marshaled testimony and written countless briefs. His impact is unquestionable, even though the political climate has swung back and forth on such issues as affirmative action. Everyone who cares about minority representation in broadcasting knows that what progress has been made would be even less if not for Honig’s efforts.
Will Kids Pay the Price for Recall Failures?
Submitted by Benton Foundation on behalf of David K. Aylward on March 25, 2008 - 5:50pmWill Kids Pay the Price for Recall Failures?
