Markey's Mark

MARKEY'S MARK
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
After a dozen years watching Republicans control the gavel and much of the debate, Ed Markey (D-MA) is now chairman of the House Telecommunications & Internet Subcommittee. He is most concerned now with digital television's D-day, when the nation switches from analog to digital TV -- a deadline that's now just 18 months away. Worried that many Americans will be left without TV, Chairman Markey pledges tight oversight of the switch. That means working doggedly with the industry to educate consumers about Feb. 17, 2009, the date for the turn-off of analog TV service. His top worry: that educating viewers about the switch will cost more than the $7 million that the government has so far ponied up. That's hardly the only open file on what is an ambitious agenda. Read what he's thinking about in this Q&A.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6470000.html

* Cartoon Network Joins Fight Against Childhood Obesity
Rep Ed Markey: "I want to commend the Cartoon Network for taking this positive step forward today. The childhood obesity epidemic is a pressing public health issue, one that in my view requires concerted action by entities in the food and beverage industry, as well as by media companies providing children's television fare. Children’s television should ideally be an environment for learning and education, not a vehicle for promoting unhealthy dietary choices through marketing to young kids."
http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3051&I...