January 2006

For upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
Two Groups Planning to Sue Over Federal Eavesdropping
Beijing's New Enforcer: Microsoft
Government-Sponsored Public Service Announcement Campaigns
Santorum: Media, Liberals Undermine Support for Iraq War

FCC AGENDA
FCC Meeting Agenda
Tate to Chair Joint Boards on Universal Service, Separations
Satellite Firm Fights FCC Decision That Favors Rivals

LEGISLATION
Primetime for Telecom Reform on Hill

OWNERSHIP
Pace of Media Deals Likely to Surpass 2005
TV's Evolution Brings New Profit Squabbles
Tension Grows Between Labels and Digital Radio
Deal of a Lifetime
Affiliates Reap =92Net Profits
TV Builds the Radio Star
Nielsen owner VNU receives Buyout Offer
WB Close to 10-Year Tribune Deal

CONTENT/JOURNALISM
Media Groups Plan Education Effort
Daniel Writer Calls AFA Critics Un-American
Koppel Criticizes Network News
A Columnist Backed by Monsanto
How Well is the Media Covering the Alito Nomination?

QUICKLY -- The Point Men: NAB's Rehr vs NCTA's McSlarrow; After Katrina;=20
Broadcasters Cut Out of Convergence; DVR Ratings Prove Time-Sensitive; The=
=20
iPod Took My Seat; UK to hold global talks on online gaming

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS

TWO GROUPS PLANNING TO SUE OVER FEDERAL EAVESDROPPING
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Eric Lichtblau]
Separately, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for=20
Constitutional Rights plan to file suits today against the Bush=20
administration over its domestic spying program to determine whether the=20
operation was used to monitor 10 defense lawyers, journalists, scholars,=20
political activists and other Americans with ties to the Middle East. Both=
=20
groups are seeking to have the courts order an immediate end to the=20
program, which the groups say is illegal and unconstitutional. The Bush=20
administration has strongly defended the legality and necessity of the=20
surveillance program, and officials said the Justice Department would=20
probably oppose the lawsuits on national security grounds. The lawsuits=20
seek to answer one of the major questions surrounding the eavesdropping=20
program: has it been used solely to single out the international phone=20
calls and e-mail messages of people with known links to Al Qaeda, as=20
President Bush and his most senior advisers have maintained, or has it been=
=20
abused in ways that civil rights advocates say could hark back to the=20
political spying abuses of the 1960's and 70's?
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/17/politics/17nsa.html?pagewanted=3Dall
(requires registration)
See also:
* Agencies probing sales of cellphone data
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Jeremy Pelofsky and Sinead Carew]
Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) said on Friday that federal agencies were looking=
=20
into whether telephone companies were sufficiently protecting consumers'=20
records amid concerns that Internet sites were selling cellphone call=20
information. In November, Rep Markey asked the FTC and the FCC to=20
investigate what he said was a violation of private consumer information=20
and to take steps to protect consumers.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=3DtechnologyNews&sto...
D=3D2006-01-14T015133Z_01_N13373694_RTRUKOC_0_US-TELECOMS-CALLRECORDS.xml
* Cingular goes after firms selling call records
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: Leslie Cauley]
Cingular Wireless is taking on companies that have been selling private=20
phone records -- the actual numbers dialed, that is -- of unwary customers=
=20
to anyone who asks. Cingular obtained a temporary restraining order late=20
last week against operators of Locatecell.com and others of its ilk that=20
specialize in offering private cellphone records for a flat fee. There are=
=20
dozens of such services available, mostly through the Web. According to=20
Cingular, these services have their employees masquerade as cellphone=20
customers, or even Cingular employees, to wheedle confidential information=
=20
out of customer-service representatives. That information =97 ranging from=
=20
private cellphone numbers to the actual call records of cell and=20
traditional phones =97 is then sold for a fee.
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20060117/1b_cellnumbers17.art...

BEIJING'S NEW ENFORCER: MICROSOFT
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Editorial Staff]
[Commentary] Even as Internet use explodes in China, Beijing is cracking=20
down on free expression, and Western technology firms are leaping to help.=
=20
The companies block access to political Web sites, censor content, provide=
=20
filtering equipment to the government and snitch on users. Companies argue=
=20
that they must follow local laws, but they are also eager to ingratiate=20
themselves with a government that controls access to the Chinese market.=20
Such obvious disregard for users' privacy and ethical standards may make it=
=20
easier to do business in China, but it also aids a repressive regime. Some=
=20
in the American Congress are talking about holding hearings. Microsoft has=
=20
responded to criticism by saying, "We think it's better to be there with=20
our services than not be there." This is a false choice. China needs=20
Internet companies as much as they need China.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/17/opinion/17tue2.html
(requires registration)

GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT CAMPAIGNS
[SOURCE: Government Accountability Office (GAO-06-304)]
Government-sponsored public service announcement (PSA) campaigns are=20
prepackaged messages generally placed for free through various media to=20
promote designated government activities, programs, or services. Although=
=20
PSAs may be placed for free, PSA campaigns may still incur financial=20
obligations for production.
GAO was mandated to provide information about federal PSA campaign=20
activities by a House Appropriations Committee report. GAO received=20
detailed information on PSA campaigns for the seven federal departments=20
with the highest obligations for public relations and advertising in fiscal=
=20
year 2003 -- Commerce, Defense, Health and Human Services, Homeland=20
Security, Interior, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs -- as reported in a=20
governmentwide federal procurement data system.
GAO submitted questionnaires to these seven departments to obtain=20
information for fiscal year 2003 through the second quarter of fiscal year=
=20
2005 on (1) obligations incurred for PSA campaigns, including whether=20
obligations were incurred externally, such as through a contract, or=20
internally; (2) the purpose, audience, and type of media employed; and (3)=
=20
whether campaigns were evaluated for success and their results published in=
=20
performance reports, including Government Performance Results Act (GPRA)=20
reports. The seven departments surveyed identified a total of 105 PSA=20
campaigns that incurred obligations from fiscal year 2003 through the first=
=20
two quarters of fiscal year 2005. The incurred obligations totaled=20
approximately $152 million (approximately $143 million in obligations=20
incurred externally and approximately $9 million in obligations incurred=20
internally). The purposes and goals of these PSA campaigns ranged widely,=
=20
from increasing military recruitment to improving the health and welfare of=
=20
the American public, to enhancing the safety of outdoor recreational and=20
sporting activities. The target audiences ranged from the general public to=
=20
residents in particular states, to participants in specific programs or=20
activities. The types of media used for the PSA campaigns were, in order of=
=20
frequency, radio, television, Internet, newspapers, magazines, outdoor=20
billboards, and other media, such as brochures, posters, and phonebooks. As=
=20
to whether PSA campaigns were evaluated, the departments reported that 47=
=20
of the 105 campaigns were evaluated to determine if campaign goals had been=
=20
achieved. Of these, 41 campaigns were reported to be successful; results=20
were not reported for the remaining 6.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-304
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d06304high.pdf

SANTORUM: MEDIA, LIBERALS UNDERMINE SUPPORT FOR IRAQ WAR
[SOURCE: Associated Press]
Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) on Thursday accused the media of undermining=20
support for the Iraq war at a time when, he said, Islamic fundamentalists=
=20
pose a serious threat to national security. Sen Santorum said public=20
support for the war has been difficult to maintain because of "biased=20
coverage of the war and the political left demagoguery of the war."
http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/newssummary/s_413131.html

FCC AGENDA

FCC MEETING AGENDA
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission will hold an Open Meeting on Friday,=
=20
January 20, 2006, which is scheduled to commence at 9:30 a.m. in Room=20
TW-C305, at 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. The Meeting will focus=
=20
on presentations by senior agency officials regarding implementations of=20
the agency's strategic plan and a comprehensive review of FCC policies and=
=20
procedures.Presentations will be made in four panels: Panel One will=20
feature the Chief of the Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis=
=20
and the Managing Director. Panel Two will feature the Chiefs of the=20
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, the Office of Engineering and=20
Technology and the International Bureau. Panel Three will feature the Chief=
=20
of the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, the Director of the Office=
=20
of Workplace Diversity and the Chief of the Enforcement Bureau. Panel Four=
=20
will feature the Chief of the Media Bureau, the General Counsel and the=20
Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau. Additional information concerning=
=20
this meeting may be obtained from Audrey Spivack or David Fiske, Office of=
=20
Media Relations, (202) 418-0500; TTY 1-888-835-5322. Audio/Video coverage=
=20
of the meeting will be broadcast live with open captioning over the=20
Internet from the FCC's Audio/Video Events web page at www.fcc.gov/realaudi=
o.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-263203A1.doc

COMMISSIONER TATE TO CHAIR JOINT BOARDS ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE, SEPARATIONS
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
Regarding her appointment, Chairman Martin said, "I am extremely pleased=20
that Commissioner Tate will serve on these important Federal-State Joint=20
Boards. Both universal service and separations are critical components of=
=20
the framework set forth by Congress and, based on her experience as an=20
effective state commissioner, I am confident that she will provide strong=
=20
leadership and will vigorously pursue the goals set forth in the Act,=20
including the provision of quality telecommunications services at=20
reasonable rates throughout the nation." Commissioner Tate said, "I am=20
deeply honored that Chairman Martin and Commissioners Copps and Adelstein=
=20
have appointed me to serve as the Federal Chair on the Joints Boards for=20
Universal Service and Jurisdictional Separations. In these roles, I will=
=20
reach out to states and consumer advocates to preserve and advance the=20
principles set forth by Congress. Specifically, I will continue the=20
efforts I began as a state official to ensure that all consumers -=20
especially those in rural and high-cost areas - are able to obtain services=
=20
at reasonable rates. Paramount is my commitment to good stewardship and=20
encouraging the deployment of new choices for Americans in underserved=20
areas of our country. As I did in Tennessee, I will continue to stress a=
=20
pragmatic approach to federalism, build a consensus between multiple=20
jurisdictions and stakeholders, encourage investment, and, above all else,=
=20
champion the needs of consumers. I look forward to building a lasting=20
cooperation with state regulators as we move forward."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-3A1.doc

SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS FIRM FIGHTS FCC DECISION THAT FAVORS RIVALS
[SOURCE: Technology Daily, AUTHOR: Drew Clark]
Inmarsat, a leading satellite communications company, has launched a=20
full-scale attack on the FCC's decision late last year to award 40=20
megahertz of prime spectrum to two rival companies at no charge. Inmarsat=
=20
blasted the FCC for "flawed and unsubstantiated assumptions" in splitting=
=20
the 40 MHz of spectrum between ICO and TerreStar. Each of the companies was=
=20
awarded 10 MHz in the uplink band and 10 MHz in the downlink band. The FCC=
=20
awarded the frequencies for satellite and terrestrial communications. The=
=20
spectrum is in the 2-gigahertz band of spectrum, the most widely used zone=
=20
for cellular communications. ICO and TerreStar plan to create a hybrid=20
cellular-satellite network called Mobile Satellite Service, or MSS. The=20
hybrid network would allow the duo to provide cheaper service via the=20
earthbound cellular network more than 90 percent of the time. When cell=20
towers are down -- as was the case when Hurricane Katrina devastated the=20
Gulf Coast last year -- the service is designed to seamlessly switch to the=
=20
satellite infrastructure.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-JSHP1137187070622.html

LEGISLATION

PRIMETIME FOR TELECOM REFORM ON HILL
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
Cable will pay close attention to at least three issues as Congress gears=
=20
up to overhaul the Telecommunications Act of 1996: universal service,=20
network neutrality, and video franchising. The House Subcommittee on=20
Telecommunications (Commerce) is expected to advance a bill not long after=
=20
the House returns from its midterm recess Jan. 31. Many features of the=20
draft bill are favorable to Verizon and AT&T (formerly SBC Communications),=
=20
especially in the area of providing video competition to cable without=20
needing local franchises. The Senate, by contrast, is on a different=20
timetable. The Senate Commerce Committee has scheduled 14 hearings over 10=
=20
days, beginning this Thursday and concluding March 14. The ground to be=20
covered includes cable=92s three key concerns in addition to Internet=20
pornography, municipal provision of broadband access, VoIP regulation, and=
=20
TV program indecency. Both House Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton=20
(R-TX) and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) are=20
eager to advance legislation, though House and Senate leaders have not=20
identified telecommunications reform as a 2006 legislative priority. The=20
buzz surrounding telecommunications legislation isn't necessarily=20
indicative that President Bush will sign a bill into law this year. The=20
1996 telecom law was considered a 12-year project, dating to the effective=
=20
date of the consent decree that broke up the old AT&T monopoly.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6299441.html?display=3DPolicy
(requires subscription)

OWNERSHIP

PACE OF MEDIA DEALS LIKELY TO SURPASS 2005
[SOURCE: AdAge, AUTHOR: Nat Ives]
Media mergers and acquisitions this year are likely to outpace 2005 levels,=
=20
according to the latest annual survey from AdMedia Partners, the investment=
=20
banking and advisory firm that focuses on the publishing, advertising and=
=20
interactive businesses. About two-thirds of media and financial executives=
=20
surveyed predicted that mergers and acquisitions activity would increase in=
=20
2006, AdMedia said. Respondents also predicted that much of the activity=20
they foresee is likely to cross sectors. =93Demand for digital content was=
=20
clear in both the survey data and open-ended comments, and we expect to see=
=20
more acquisitions of cross-media partners by traditional media companies,=
=94=20
said Mark Edmiston, managing director. =93Down the road, tightening of=20
lending criteria and potential increases in capital gains tax rates could=
=20
make M&A less attractive, but in 2006 conditions remain favorable.=94
http://www.adage.com/news.cms?newsId=3D47464

TV's EVOLUTION BRINGS NEW PROFIT SQUABBLES
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Meg James]
Beginning this month, many Comcast Corp. cable subscribers who miss an=20
episode of the CBS hit "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" can pay to see it=
=20
later. Next month, they will be able to use the same video-on-demand=20
service to watch previous installments of the network's reality game show=
=20
"The Amazing Race." But when consumers fork over their 99 cents to see=20
forensic investigators or globe-trotting contestants, who gets the money?=
=20
And who controls the so-called VOD window? That's what CBS and Walt Disney=
=20
Co.'s Touchstone Television have been squabbling over lately. Ever since=20
November, when CBS and Comcast announced their video-on-demand partnership,=
=20
Touchstone has been crying foul, say several executives on both sides of=20
the deal. The reason: Touchstone, which co-owns "The Amazing Race" with=20
CBS, wasn't consulted before the deal was struck. The Touchstone-CBS spat=
=20
is hardly unique. As television executives scramble to exploit new=20
technologies and make their shows available in as many formats as possible,=
=20
they are facing scrutiny from many quarters -- retailers, advertisers, TV=
=20
producers, actors and writers -- that fear their interests are being=20
ignored. Because existing licensing agreements signed as little as two=20
years ago do not address how to split revenues from video-on-demand or=20
video iPod downloads, every new deal -- however small -- is being closely=
=20
watched. Hollywood's guilds are particularly concerned. Labor leaders fear=
=20
a repeat of the early 1980s, when movie executives convinced them that=20
revenue from videocassette tapes would never amount to much. The guilds=20
accepted a much smaller cut of the profits from home entertainment, then=20
watched as VHS and, later, DVDs mushroomed into a=20
multibillion-dollar-a-year business and the studios' biggest moneymaker.
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-tv17jan17,1,2126169.s...
y?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business
(requires registration)

TENSION GROWS BETWEEN LABELS AND DIGITAL RADIO
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: John Borland]
The entry of satellite and digital radio into the technological mainstream=
=20
is increasing tension with the record industry, which wants new rules=20
governing how consumers can make digital copies of songs from the airwaves.=
=20
At issue are new devices that can record and save high-quality digital=20
copies of tunes as they're being broadcast by these new networks. Recording=
=20
executives are worried that consumers might increasingly opt to make such=
=20
copies instead of purchasing the music on a commercial CD or from a=20
download store like Apple Computer's iTunes. For now, the Recording=20
Industry Association of America is in negotiations with satellite radio=20
companies and is opening discussions with radio broadcasters over specific=
=20
products. But over the long term, the music industry says, Congress should=
=20
find a way to regulate these new digital radio networks so labels can get=
=20
paid when consumers keep copies of songs, as is the case with iTunes.
http://news.com.com/Tension+grows+between+labels+and+digital+radio/2100-...
5_3-6027079.html?tag=3Dnefd.top
* NAB=92s Rehr Writes RIAA=92s Bainwol On Content Protection In HD Age
http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=3D131997&pt=3Dtodaysnews
* Text of NAB letter
http://www.nab.org/images/xertimages/corpcomm/pressrel/011106_DKR_to_RIA...
df

DEAL OF A LIFETIME
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John M. Higgins]
Lifetime Television=92s bitter fight with EchoStar Communications, which=20
refused to carry the channel, has spilled out into full-page ads, articles=
=20
and cable conversation everywhere. But the =93Drop DISH=94 campaign is not =
the=20
most interesting part of the dispute. Hearst-Argyle Television, whose=20
controlling shareholder Hearst Corp. also owns 50% of Lifetime (The Walt=20
Disney Co. owns the other half), has secured a surprisingly lucrative deal=
=20
with DBS operator EchoStar. In exchange for the right to retransmit the=20
signals of the broadcaster=92s TV stations in local markets, EchoStar has=
=20
agreed to pay Hearst-Argyle around 50=A2 per subscriber monthly to carry it=
s=20
stations. Stand-alone station groups will cheer. Many have already been=20
collecting retransmission-consent fees from EchoStar and DirecTV, but the=
=20
rate has been more like 15=A2-20=A2 monthly. Why did EchoStar pay so much?=
=20
Partly to rob Lifetime of a strong weapon.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6299512?display=3DNews&referral=
=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

AFFILIATES REAP 'NET PROFITS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Allison Romano]
A dramatic increase in online spending is catching station managers=92=20
attention. According to a study released last week, TV stations are poised=
=20
to take in an estimated $410 million from their Web sites in 2006 and have=
=20
more than doubled their take over the last three years. Last year,=20
TV-station Web sites produced $283 million, up from $119 million in 2004,=
=20
according to research firm Borrell Associates. This year, the company is=20
forecasting 45% growth for TV Web-site revenue. Of course, compared with a=
=20
station=92s overall profits -- an affiliate in a midsize market might gross=
=20
$20 million a year -- Internet money is small. But as local broadcast wards=
=20
off competition, station managers are desperate to cultivate new revenue=20
streams.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6299244?display=3DNews&referral=
=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

TV BUILDS RADIO STAR
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Anne Becker]
Emerging bands are turning to TV at a time when consolidation in radio and=
=20
cutbacks in music-industry advertising have made it exceedingly difficult=
=20
to break through. Furthermore, Internet and satellite radio mean listeners=
=92=20
attention is split among a wider array of obscure artists. As a result, say=
=20
music execs, bands view TV differently than before. =93Ten years ago, if a=
=20
major network approached [a hip band] about being on a television show=20
starring the guy who was in Ed and an aged Jason Priestley, they probably=
=20
would've balked at it,=94 says Geoff Sherr, of Management Music Division. =
=93If=20
they want to have long, self-sustaining careers, they have to do things=20
that, in the past, may have brought into question their credibility.=94
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6299245?display=3DNews&referral=
=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)
* See also: "In my mind and in my car, we can't rewind we've gone to far"
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/empirerecords/videokilledtheradiostar.htm

NIELSEN OWNER VNU RECEIVES BUYOUT OFFER
[SOURCE: Bloomberg News, AUTHOR: Charles Goldsmith and Edward Evans]
Media research and publishing company VNU, the owner of the U.S. Nielsen TV=
=20
ratings, said Monday it has received a buyout offer worth up to $8.8=20
billion from a group of private equity firms. The consortium of bidders=20
includes AlpInvest Partners, The Blackstone Group, The Carlyle Group,=20
Hellman & Friedman, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Permira and Thomas H. Lee=20
Partners. VNU sells marketing information such as Nielsen's ratings, and=20
more than half its sales are in the USA. It also runs trade fairs and as a=
=20
publisher is best known for Billboard and Hollywood Reporter magazines.
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20060117/3b_vmu17.art.htm

WB CLOSE TO 10-YEAR TRIBUNE DEAL
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Ben Grossman]
WB Network Chairman Garth Ancier said Monday he expects the network to=20
complete a new, long-term affiliation deal with Tribune-owned TV stations=
=20
in the next few weeks. Ancier said he expects the deal with Tribune, which=
=20
has a 22.5% equity stake in the network, to be in the neighborhood of 10=20
years. He said the sides are now close after solving some disagreements=20
over new-media distribution of programming.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6299604?display=3DBreaking+Ne...
referral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

CONTENT/JOURNALISM

MEDIA GROUPS PLAN EDUCATION EFFORT
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
Major media organizations are planning to announce this week the launch of=
=20
a massive awareness campaign designed to alert parents about readily=20
available technologies that can block TV programming they consider=20
inappropriate for their children. The campaign will highlight the V-chip in=
=20
television sets, as well as set-top boxes for cable and will be spearheaded=
=20
by the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, the National=20
Association of Broadcasters, the Motion Picture Association of America, the=
=20
Consumer Electronics Association and other people you can trust to educate=
=20
your children. Some of the major broadcast-TV networks are expected to=20
participate. The educational program is the TV industry's latest attempt to=
=20
address indecent-content concerns raised by key Capitol Hill lawmakers and=
=20
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6299133.html?display=3DBreaking+News
(requires subscription)

DANIEL WRITER CALLS AFA CRITICS UN-AMERICAN
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Jim Benson & John Eggerton]
Book of Daniel writer-producer Jack Kenny labels the American Family=20
Association's call for a boycott of his show "absurd, un-Christian, and=20
un-American." He also says the Tupelo, Miss.-based group is probably just=
=20
picking on him because Desperate Housewives is too big.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6299601?display=3DBreaking+Ne...
referral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

KOPPEL CRITICIZES NETWORK NEWS
[SOURCE: TVWeek, AUTHOR: James Hibberd]
Facing reporters at the Television Critics Association's press tour, former=
=20
"Nightline" anchor Ted Koppel said his new position at Discovery Channel=20
will allow him to explore smart and serious news topics, and he suggested=
=20
that commercial networks such as his former ABC home are devaluing such=20
coverage. "What's been happening over the past 20 years or so, with the=20
advent of all the cable outlets, is the competition has become so fierce=20
that all news divisions and all networks are focusing on particular=20
segments of the audience, and with an emphasis on youthful demographics,"=
=20
Mr. Koppel said. "News divisions are focusing on -- not necessarily less=20
serious stories -- but staying away from some serious stories..... I think=
=20
there is still a great deal of room for great news coverage on television.=
=20
And if it isn't going to be available at the commercial networks, I think=
=20
we've found a home where it will be welcome."
http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=3D9186
(requires free registration)

A COLUMNIST BACKED BY MONSANTO
[SOURCE: BusinessWeek, AUTHOR: Eamon Javers]
Scripps Howard News Service announced Jan. 13 that it's severing its=20
business relationship with columnist Michael Fumento, who's also a senior=
=20
fellow at the conservative Hudson Institute. The move comes after inquiries=
=20
from BusinessWeek Online about payments Fumento received from agribusiness=
=20
giant Monsanto -- a frequent subject of praise in Fumento's opinion columns=
=20
and a book. In a statement released on Jan. 13, Scripps Howard News Service=
=20
Editor and General Manager Peter Copeland said Fumento "did not tell SHNS=
=20
editors, and therefore we did not tell our readers, that in 1999 Hudson=20
received a $60,000 grant from Monsanto." Copeland added: "Our policy is=20
that he should have disclosed that information. We apologize to our readers=
."
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/jan2006/nf20060113_2851_db03...
tm

HOW WELL IS THE MEDIA COVERING THE ALITO NOMINATION?
Sure, there's quantity of coverage of the Supreme Court nomination, but=20
how's the quality? There's no shortage of opinion from the Left, the Right,=
=20
the top, the bottom...
* A list of media mistakes from Media Matters for America
http://mediamatters.org/issues_topics/samuel_alito
* Unfair and Unbalanced
http://www.americanprogressaction.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=3DklLW...
7H&b=3D1331575&ct=3D1781519
* The Case of Alito v. O'Connor
http://nationaljournal.com/taylor.htm
* "Media Must Stop Enabling Dems' Character Assassination"
http://www.mrc.org/press/2006/press20060112.asp
* USA Today Editorial Illustrates Problems With Media Coverage of Alito=20
Nomination
http://newsbusters.org/node/2621
* Real Corruption in Washington
http://www.aim.org/aim_column/4294_0_3_0_C/
* On Alito, Blogging from the Right and White-on-White Magazine Mastheads
http://www.cjrdaily.org/blog_report/on_alito_blogging_from_the_rig.php
* Civics Lesson
http://www.onthemedia.org/stream/ram.py?file=3Dotm/otm011306a.mp3
* FCC vs. The League of Women Voters: A Look at the Case That Pitted Samuel=
=20
Alito Against Pacifica Radio
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=3D06/01/13/152255

QUICKLY

THE POINT MEN: NAB'S REHR, NCTA'S MCSLARROW FACE '06
[SOURCE: MediaWeek, AUTHOR: Todd Shields]
Profile of two longtime friends -- the National Cable & Telecommunications=
=20
Association's Kyle McSlarrow and the National Association of Broadcasters'=
=20
David Rehr. They are both relatively new to their posts and to=20
telecommunications, but both have experience winning in Washington. Read=20
about their relationship and the tasks before them at the URL below.
http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=3D100...
3667

AFTER KATRINA
[SOURCE: Associated Press]
Two stories look at how people are dealing with the after effects of major=
=20
hurricanes last year in the Gulf Coast region -- and what role the media pl=
ay.
* Gulf Coast Residents Beg Media to 'Tell Our Story' Too
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1001844383
* New Orleans 'Times-Picayune' Trying to Report, Survive
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1001844353

BROADCASTERS CUT OUT OF CONVERGENCE
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Glen Dickson]
What role will broadcast stations play in this new era of convergence,=20
particularly in regard to mobile viewing? The mobile devices touted at the=
=20
Consumer Electronics Show all have a common thread: They don't rely on=20
broadcast spectrum. Most of the broadcast networks=92 new video services=20
aimed at computers or handheld devices are delivered via the Internet,=20
usually through a cable company or telco, or over cellphone networks. And=
=20
most don't offer stations a cut of the revenue pie.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6299253?display=3DTechnology&...
erral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

DVR RATINGS PROVE TIME-SENSITIVE
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Joe Mandese]
The measurement of time-shifted viewing via digital video recorders (DVRs)=
=20
-- and ultimately video-on-demand and broadband servers -- is stretching=20
the definitions of TV time and the meaning of =93live=94 TV viewing. And=20
deciding exactly what constitutes live viewing is creating tension between=
=20
broadcasters and the ad industry. It=92s a debate that has been raging sinc=
e=20
Nielsen announced plans last year to provide its new DVR-included ratings=
=20
in three streams: one including only =93live=94 viewing, another including =
live=20
plus same day of playback on DVRs, and a third including live viewing and=
=20
seven days of playback. Large agencies such as Magna Global USA and=20
Mediaedge:cia immediately took the position in favor of live-only ratings=
=20
as the basis for advertising guarantees, while the major broadcast networks=
=20
argued that all of the measured playbacks should count.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6299240?display=3DAdvertising...
ferral=3DSUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

THE iPOD TOOK MY SEAT
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Stuart Silverstein]
As college professors post lectures online, they're seeing a rise in=20
absenteeism. A low-tech response to no-shows: more surprise quizzes.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-me-noshow17jan17,0,792...
4.story?coll=3Dla-headlines-frontpage
(requires registration)

UK TO HOLD GLOBAL TALKS ON ONLINE GAMING
[SOURCE: Reuters]
Britain plans to hold global online gaming talks this year to seek support=
=20
for its move to regulate the fast growing industry and help protect=20
children from gaining access to the businesses' Web sites.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=3DinternetNews&storyID=
=3D2006-01-16T161939Z_01_L16750958_RTRUKOC_0_US-LEISURE-GAMING-TALKS.xml
--------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------