November 2007

* Find links to all the FCC decisions Tuesday at=20
http://www.benton.org/node/8227

* Later today, the Alliance for Public Technology=20
and One Economy host "A National Blueprint for=20
Technology and the Public Good" see http://www.benton.org/node/8125

POLICYMAKERS
FCC Chief Still Standing, if on Shifting Ground

MEDIA OWNERSHIP
FCC chief's action seen advancing Tribune deal

CABLE
Size Limits for Cable Look Likely
Blackburn Bill to Strip FCC Authority Even if Cable Reaches 70/70
FCC Chair Martin criticized over cable industry report tactics
Promoting Video Programming Diversity
Dueling Commentary: NFL vs Cable

BROADCASTING
FCC Moves to Promote Low Power Radio
Fox Station Challenged on Renewal of License
Networks set for $120m from web ads

INTERNET/BROADBAND
AT&T Raises Dial-Up Pricing Above DSL
Opportunities seen for rural America
Supreme Court weighs Internet sales regulation

TELECOM
Judge Calls for Data on Telecom Lobby
How Open Cell Networks Work in Asia, Europe
FCC Proposes Extending the 5-Year=20
Registration Period for the National Do-Not-Call Registry

MEDIA & ELECTIONS
More Than 60% Don't Trust Campaign Coverage
Democratic presidential debate canceled over strike

POLICYMAKERS

FCC CHIEF STILL STANDING, IF ON SHIFTING GROUND
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Frank Ahrens and Jeffrey H. Birnbaum]
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin=20
J. Martin's ongoing fight with Big Cable has left=20
him bloodied but still standing, say FCC=20
officials, industry executives and public=20
interest groups, and he may now spend the=20
remainder of his tenure with fewer allies.=20
Chairman Martin has led the FCC since 2005. A=20
Republican whose wife has worked in the White=20
House, Martin could typically count on the=20
support of the commission's other two Republicans=20
while winning some battles with the commission's=20
two Democrats. But that changed over several=20
weeks leading to a late-night, particularly=20
contentious Tuesday meeting, following a cable=20
industry lobbying effort and dissent within the=20
commission. The turning point came when=20
Republican commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate,=20
Martin's most reliable ally on the commission,=20
bucked the chairman, saying at the meeting that=20
his proposal "focuses heavily on the findings of=20
one source, rather than the numerous sources our=20
reports have included in the past." Tate, who=20
declined to be interviewed for this article,=20
privately expressed outrage that she and other=20
commissioners had to ask Martin for additional=20
data on cable subscribers, according to a source=20
close to her. Republican commissioner Robert=20
McDowell also opposed Martin. Bruises are nothing=20
new to Martin or FCC chairmen. He was blistered=20
by Republicans over his handling of a wireless=20
spectrum proposal last summer and during a battle=20
over local phone deregulation several years ago.=20
He has endured public scoldings by fellow=20
commissioners Adelstein and Michael J. Copps, a=20
Democrat. Likewise, firestorms over indecency=20
fines and media ownership dogged previous FCC=20
chair Michael K. Powell, as a controversy over=20
unlicensed radio stations did William E. Kennard before him.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/28/AR200711...
2285.html
(requires registration)

MEDIA OWNERSHIP

FCC'S CHIEF'S ACTION SEEN ADVANCING TRIBUNE DEAL
[SOURCE: Chicago Tribune, AUTHOR: Michael Oneal=20
mdoneal( at )tribune.com and Phil Rosenthal philrosenthal( at )tribune.com]
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin=20
Martin took a step toward giving Chicago real=20
estate magnate Sam Zell the temporary regulatory=20
relief he needs to close his $8.2 billion deal to=20
take Tribune Co. private. According to a source=20
at the FCC, Martin circulated a proposal among=20
the four other FCC commissioners addressing Zell=20
and Tribune's request for temporary waivers to=20
media cross ownership rules and new television=20
station licenses. That's the first step in the=20
approval process. Now the commissioners must=20
indicate their approval or disapproval of the=20
proposal. Two of them have said that they can=20
make their decision within three days of=20
receiving it from the chairman. If the approvals=20
come by Friday, Tribune will have enough time to=20
close by year's end. But any further delay would=20
force the company to renegotiate the 20-day=20
cushion with its creditors. The language of the=20
proposal is crucial. Although the waivers will=20
certainly be temporary, Tribune will have to show=20
its creditors that it has enough of a regulatory=20
window to meet with their approval. Martin has=20
said that by Dec. 18 he wants the commission to=20
vote on a partial but permanent repeal of the=20
rules that prohibit a company from owning a=20
newspaper and broadcast outlet in the same=20
market. It is unclear, however, if he has the=20
political support for such a maneuver, which=20
means Tribune would need longer waivers to assure=20
compliance in several of its key markets.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-071128trib,0,6545303.story?tr...
=3Drss
* Martin Proposes Two-Year Tribune Waivers
Chairman Kevin Martin proposed granting Tribune=20
temporary -- at least two-year (or six months=20
after the end of any litigation over the current=20
or new rules, whichever is longer) -- waivers for=20
its newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership in a=20
handful of markets and voting on the item by=20
Friday Nov 30. Martin told reporters that the=20
timing of the vote was to square it with the 20=20
business days Tribune said it needs so that its deal could still go through.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6506052.html?rssid=3D193
* FCC Chief Says He Would Grant Waivers and OK=20
Tribune Buyout (Associated Press)
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003678658
* FCC chief proposes 2-year exemption for Tribune
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-tribune29nov29,0,4942870.story?coll=
=3Dla-home-business
* Martin Proposes Waiver in Tribune Deal
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2007/11/martin_proposes_waiver_in_trib.php
* FCC Plan Would Facilitate Zell's Buyout of Tribune Co.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119628282913706904.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
ketplace
* FCC chief favors waivers for Tribune
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20071129/b_baig29.art.htm
* FCC expected to lift barrier to Tribune deal
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-tribune29nov29,1,2671...
.story?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business

CABLE

SIZE LIMITS LIKELY FOR CABLE
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Stephen Labaton]
Coming off a setback at the hands of the cable=20
television industry, the head of the Federal=20
Communications Commission moved to reassert=20
himself on Wednesday by proposing that the=20
commission quickly adopt a rule that would=20
prevent Comcast, the nation=92s biggest cable=20
company, from becoming larger. The cable plan,=20
paired with a plan to allow waivers needed to=20
complete the Tribune Company sale, reflects FCC=20
Chairman Kevin Martin's attempt to navigate a=20
series of politically difficult proposals through=20
a deeply divided commission. He is trying to=20
strike alliances with the two Democratic=20
commissioners on some issues and the two=20
Republicans on others. The outcome will most=20
likely determine for many years the rules=20
governing the reach of the nation=92s largest media=20
conglomerates. In the process, Chairman Martin=20
has alienated powerful and politically connected=20
executives from the cable TV industry, who have=20
complained to the White House that his policies=20
are inconsistent with the broader deregulatory=20
agenda of the Bush administration. From the other=20
side, he has been criticized by Democratic=20
lawmakers about his efforts to loosen the=20
restrictions on owning differing types of media properties in the same city.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/29/business/media/29cable.html?ref=3Dtoda...
aper
(requires registration)
* The next cable data war
http://www.lasarletter.net/drupal/node/515

BLACKBURN BILL TO STRIP FCC AUTHORITY EVEN IF CABLE REACHES 70/70
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Only hours after the Federal Communications=20
Commission said it did not have sufficient data=20
to conclude that the cable industry had met the=20
so-called 70/70 threshold for possible=20
regulation, Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). a=20
member of the House Commerce Committee, said she=20
plans to introduce a bill that would prevent the=20
FCC from using that benchmark to regulate cable=20
even if the threshold were met. Rep Blackburn=20
called that 70/70 authority "anachronistic at=20
best and potentially dangerous at worst," and she=20
wants that authority repealed. She added that the=20
law -- passed in 1984 to ensure program diversity=20
-- "provides the FCC authority to unilaterally=20
regulate an industry, yet does not demand sound,=20
scientific data to back up the market-penetration=20
claim. In so doing," she said, "'70/70' authority=20
allows for potentially nefarious abuse under a=20
guise to regulate an already vibrant and=20
competitive industry. The Consumer Freedom of=20
Choice in Cable Act will eliminate that threat."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6506037.html?rssid=3D193
* FCC=92s Decision on 70/70 Threshold Boosts Cable Stocks
Cable investors have not had much to cheer about=20
in recent months, but the Federal Communications=20
Commission=92s decision to back off of imposing the=20
70/70 rule provided a catalyst. In a day when the=20
Dow Jones Industrial Average soared 335 points,=20
cable stocks rallied to some of their highest levels in weeks.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6506153.html?rssid=3D193
* Martin Defeat Spurs Cable Rally for Cable Stocks
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6506139.html?rssid=3D196
* Reaction Pours In Over FCC's 70/70 Retreat
- Free Press: "We greatly regret that the 70/70=20
item could not be approved yesterday. The record=20
shows strong evidence that the standard has been=20
met, and the public benefits of the policy are=20
clear. However, we support the commission=92s new=20
initiative to collect fresh data and reach a finding as rapidly as possible=
."
- Parents Television Council: "The FCC and=20
Congress need to listen to American families and=20
consumers rather than to the banter of Washington=20
power brokers and lobbyists for the cable=20
industry. Some members of Congress have spoken=20
out against the FCC=92s rightful attempt to=20
interpret existing federal law that would change=20
the status quo within the cable industry for the=20
benefit of families, consumers and minorities.=20
Interestingly enough, many of those members are=20
taking large campaign contributions from the=20
cable industry. As the discussion continues, the=20
PTC lauds chairman Martin for his leadership on=20
the issue of cable choice and for his=20
determination to hold the cable industry=20
accountable to existing federal law. We also=20
encourage the FCC to seek independent research on=20
cable-subscriber numbers that will be pivotal in=20
determining whether the so-called 70/70 threshold=20
has been met, rather than allowing the cable=20
industry to do its own Enron-type accounting."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6506147.html?rssid=3D193
* Martin and Copps Pull Out A Partial Win By=20
Persuading Adelstein To Meet Them Halfway
[SOURCE: Tales from the Sausage Factory, AUTHOR: Harold Feld]
[Commentary] 1) On the ultimate "70/70" decision=20
-- to require that all cable operators must=20
report real subscriber numbers, including all MDU=20
subscribers, for 2006 and 2007 -- Feld applauds=20
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Martin=20
and Commissioners Copps and Adelstein (the latter=20
with some reservation. "Given how thoroughly the=20
cable guys appear to own the Republicans, the=20
surprise is not that McDowell and Tate went with=20
the cable boys but that Martin actually went=20
ahead and defied them," Feld concludes. 2) He=20
finds that the FCC adopted a "pretty good" order=20
on cable leased access -- it will require cable=20
operators to be more responsive, and generally=20
force staff to get complaints processed quickly.
http://www.wetmachine.com/totsf/item/947

FCC CHAIR MARTIN CRITICIZED OVER CABLE INDUSTRY REPORT TACTICS
[SOURCE: MarketWatch, AUTHOR: Corey Boles]
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin=20
Martin was blasted Tuesday night by members of=20
the agency's own panel, coming after a tumultuous=20
day in which the FCC's monthly meeting was=20
severely delayed. In a rare attack on Chairman=20
Martin, Democratic Commissioner Jonathan=20
Adelstein delivered stinging remarks at the=20
meeting that eventually got under way some 12=20
hours late. He accused the chairman's office of=20
"trying to hide the ball from their own team" and=20
attempting to "cook the books" over a draft of an=20
FCC report that was to conclude that a key=20
threshold of cable's market share had been=20
met. "It's truly inconceivable that our own data=20
should be cast aside," said Adelstein. "The draft=20
(of the report) cherry picked the only data that=20
supported the outcome that was=20
desired." Republican Commissioners Deborah Tate=20
and Robert McDowell joined in the attack, with=20
Tate calling the information underpinning the=20
draft report's conclusion unable to withstand=20
review and McDowell criticizing the commission=20
for being "prepared to omit or as some have=20
suggested suppress the FCC's own data."
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/fcc-chair-martin-criticized-over/s...
y.aspx?guid=3D%7BE8153948%2D923E%2D447E%2DB822%2DAA15CAA1A0AC%7D&dist=3Dsit=
eid=3Drss
* Cable Coup Foiled
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Editorial staff]
[Commentary] Chairman Martin wants more control=20
so he can tell cable companies how to market=20
their products. His holy grail is a la carte=20
regulation that would require Time Warner,=20
Comcast and others to sell programming on a=20
per-channel basis. Social conservatives say this=20
will keep offensive programming out of homes that=20
don't want it. Liberal groups say it will reduce=20
cable bills because customers will only pay for=20
the channels they watch. But an a la carte cable=20
model ought to be a decision for businesses, not=20
regulators. By putting politics above the merits,=20
Chairman Martin managed to alienate everybody.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119630362212707425.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
nion
(requires subscription)
* McCaskill Slams Martin=92s FCC Management
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) is upset with=20
Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin=20
Martin, accusing the media=92s top regulator of=20
hiding data from his FCC colleagues in an effort=20
to advance his goal of applying more regulation=20
to cable operators. =93The public interest cannot=20
be served by manipulating or hiding data to serve=20
an agenda, no matter what its merits may be,=94=20
McCaskill said in a letter Wednesday to Martin.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6506183.html?rssid=3D196

PROMOTING VIDEO PROGRAMMING DIVERSITY
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission adopted a=20
Report and Order (Order) which allows consumers=20
to receive a broader and more diverse range of=20
programming from their cable operators. Cable=20
operators are required by statute to set aside=20
channel capacity for commercial use by=20
unaffiliated video programmers (leased access=20
channels). Congress enacted the statute to=20
promote competition in the delivery of diverse=20
sources of video programming and bring about the=20
widest possible diversity of information sources=20
for cable subscribers. The Commission adopted=20
this Order today in response to comments from=20
leased access programmers regarding slow response=20
times to information requests and excessive rates=20
and fees. The Order facilitates the use of=20
leased access channels by adopting more specific=20
leased access customer service standards and=20
increased enforcement of those standards, faster=20
cable operator response times to information=20
requests and more appropriate leased access=20
rates. The Order also expedites the leased access=20
complaint process and improves the discovery=20
process related to leased access disputes. The=20
Commission also adopted a Further Notice of=20
Proposed Rulemaking seeking comments on applying=20
the revised rate methodology to programmers=20
transmitting predominantly sales presentations or=20
program length commercials, which are excluded from today's revisions.
http://www.benton.org/node/8226

DUELING COMMENTARY: NFL VS CABLE
[SOURCE: USAToday]
[Commentary] Big Cable says its dispute with NFL=20
Network is all about protecting the consumer.=20
Don't believe the hype. This is about squashing=20
competition. NFL Network and a handful of other=20
independent programmers such as the Hallmark=20
Channel and the Black Television News Channel=20
cannot get a fair deal with Big Cable for one=20
simple reason: We are not owned by a cable=20
company. Our government leaders should ensure=20
that Big Cable cannot treat its channels better=20
than it treats independent channels such as NFL=20
Network and hold consumers hostage in the=20
dispute. A neutral, third-party arbitrator should=20
be able to step in to bring about an agreement.=20
Six states are considering legislation to do just=20
that, and the Federal Communications Commission=20
is looking at the issue, too. We don't fear=20
independent arbitration and believe that in=20
virtually every case, it would lead to a negotiated settlement.
[Commentary] The reason the NFL Network is not on=20
most cable systems is the league's arrogance. It=20
won't let the cable companies put its channel on=20
a premium tier, where the fans who want it would=20
pay the NFL's premium price. The network insists=20
that it be included in a basic package, which=20
spreads the costs to all customers, including=20
those who don't care a whit for football. The NFL=20
has no valid case for arbitration. The cable=20
companies might be unfair to truly small players,=20
such as the Hallmark Channel, but they are being=20
quite reasonable with the NFL. So if you're upset=20
about being blacked out of tonight's big game,=20
pick the right villain. It's the oh-so-popular NFL, not the usual suspects.
* Big Cable's double standard
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20071129/oppose29.art.htm
* Unnecessary roughness
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20071129/edit29.art.htm

BROADCASTING

FCC MOVES TO PROMOTE LOW POWER RADIO
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission adopted a=20
wide-ranging series of ownership, eligibility and=20
technical rules and sought comment on additional=20
technical matters in the Low Power FM Third=20
Report and Order (Order) and Second Noticed of=20
Proposed Rule. In the Order, the Commission=20
adopts a number of rules and policies designed to=20
foster and protect LPFM radio service which=20
creates opportunities for new voices on the=20
airwaves and to allow local groups, including=20
schools, churches, and other community-based=20
organizations, to provide programming responsive=20
to local community needs and interests. The=20
Commission's action includes changes to=20
strengthen and promote the long-term viability of=20
the LPFM service, and the localism and diversity=20
goals that this service is intended to advance.=20
In the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking the=20
Commission: 1) Seeks comment on technical rules=20
that could potentially expand LPFM licensing=20
opportunities; 2) Tentatively concludes that full=20
service stations must provide technical and=20
financial assistance to LPFM stations when=20
implementation of a full service station facility=20
proposal would cause interference to an LPFM=20
station; 3) Tentatively concludes that the=20
Commission should adopt a contour-based=20
protection methodology to expand LPFM licensing=20
opportunities; 4) Intends to address the issues=20
in the FNPRM within 6 months, and that the next=20
filing window for a non-tabled aural licensed=20
service will be for LPFM; and 5) Recommends to=20
Congress that it remove the requirement that LPFM=20
stations protect full-power stations operating on third adjacent channels.
http://www.benton.org/node/8225
* Prometheus Radio Project Congratulates FCC on Improving LPFM Radio Service
"Today, Chairman Martin and Commissioners=20
Adelstein and Copps should be congratulated for=20
moving to protect and expand low power FM radio =96=20
while also understanding that there are many=20
issues we can resolve through further research=20
and conversation. The Federal Communications=20
Commission has taken a number of important steps=20
today towards a better future for low power radio=20
stations and their communities. We appreciate the=20
partial support of Commissioners McDowell and=20
Tate, and feel confident that the concerns they=20
raised are addressable to their satisfaction."
http://prometheusradio.org/content/view/580/1/http://prometheusradio.org/=
content/view/580/1/
* Media Access Project Secures Big Win for LPFM
"LPFM advocates have waited a long time for the=20
Commission to act on expanding and preserving the=20
LPFM service. The Commission's action goes a long=20
way in doing just that. Chairman Martin rarely=20
agrees with us, but he was willing to listen, and=20
to work with us to get a fine result. He should=20
be congratulated for recognizing the critical=20
service that LPFM stations provide to the needs=20
of local communities and taking the necessary=20
steps that will help bring more LPFM radio=20
stations to communities throughout the country."
http://www.mediaaccess.org/press/2007-11-28-LPFMPressRelease.pdf

FOX STATION CHALLENGED ON RENEWAL OF LICENSE
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Elizabeth Dwoskin]
The Federal Communications Commission gave the=20
public the opportunity on Wednesday to weigh in=20
on whether a Fox-owned station with a unique=20
relationship to New Jersey has earned the right=20
to have its broadcast license renewed. More than=20
100 people came to a lecture hall at the Rutgers=20
University campus here to debate how well the=20
affiliate, WWOR-TV, Channel 9, is fulfilling its=20
mandate to provide coverage of issues important=20
to the residents of northern New Jersey. Many=20
people complained that WWOR, which was acquired=20
by Fox Television Stations in 2001 and is based=20
in Secaucus, N.J., promotes itself as =93My9 New=20
York=94 and that the home page on the station=92s Web=20
site features an image of the New York skyline.=20
(Less than two hours after the hearing, WWOR=20
replaced the skyline image with one of the George=20
Washington Bridge.) Analyzing WWOR=92s public=20
reports to the FCC, Voice for New Jersey, a media=20
advocacy group based in Plainfield, said that in=20
2006, WWOR gave almost 80 percent more broadcast=20
time to stories about New York than to those=20
about New Jersey. WWOR=92s vice president, Lew=20
Leone, responded to the criticism by showing a=20
video that included clips of the station=92s New=20
Jersey coverage. The video ended with the words=20
=93My9 and New Jersey: Perfect Together.=94 (What=20
appeared to be masking tape had been placed over=20
the letters =93NY=94 in the =93My9NY=94 slogan on a WWOR=20
television video camera that was recording the proceedings.)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/29/nyregion/29wwor.html?ref=3Dtodayspaper
(requires registration)
* Senator Lautenberg: TV station fails to serve New Jersey viewers
http://www.nj.com/ap/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-28/1196305184203110.xm...
torylist=3Dtopstories
* Critics say WWOR isn't their '9 Jersey'
[SOURCE: The Star-Ledger, AUTHOR: Rudy Larini]
To critics of the TV station, WWOR's nickname=20
says it all. It's featured on the station's Web=20
site, my9ny.com. It also greets visitors entering=20
its headquarters in Secaucus. Against a backdrop=20
of the New York City skyline is the nickname "My 9 New York."
http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-8/119622942754...
.xml&coll=3D1&thispage=3D1

NETWORKS SET FOR $120M FROM WEB ADS
[SOURCE: Financial Times, AUTHOR: Matthew Garrahan]
The four US television networks in a pay dispute=20
with Hollywood television writers over online=20
video advertising are in line to generate $120m=20
of revenues in 2007 from free web streaming of=20
their content, according to a leading media=20
buyer. The networks have been reluctant to=20
acknowledge the size of their streaming=20
businesses, partly because online video=20
advertising has become a sticking point in pay=20
negotiations with the writers, who have been on=20
strike for almost a month. However, advertisers=20
are flocking to web streaming. =93Based on what=20
we=92re paying for spots across the four networks,=20
we estimate this market to be worth more than=20
$120m,=94 said Tracey Scheppach, senior=20
vice-president and video innovation director for=20
Starcom, a leading media buying agency. Media=20
buyers expect streaming revenues to increase=20
because online video commercials have better=20
recall rates than traditional TV advertising.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/49e3d7a8-9e1c-11dc-9f68-0000779fd2ac.html
(requires subscription)

INTERNET/BROADBAND

AT&T RAISES DIAL-UP PRICING ABOVE DSL
[SOURCE: telecompetitor]
In an interesting dial-up to broadband conversion=20
strategy move, AT&T is raising the cost of its=20
dial-up Internet service above its broadband DSL=20
service. New dial-up customers will pay $22.95=20
per month for dial-up, and existing $9.95/month=20
and $15.95/month customers will see their monthly=20
costs rise to $15.95 and $22.95 respectively.=20
AT&T=92s lowest published DSL price is=20
$19.95/month, although a condition of their=20
Bellsouth acquisition compels them to offer basic=20
DSL service (768K service) for $9.95/month in=20
many markets. Dial-up has lost its favor with=20
larger carriers because collectively, more people=20
access the Internet via broadband than dial-up.=20
Larger carriers are much more interested in=20
moving dial-up customers to broadband than in=20
continuing to serve dial-up customers at all.
http://telecompetitor.com/node/402

OPPORTUNITIES SEEN FOR RURAL AMERICA
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: Bruce Smith]
Thomas Dorr, U.S. Agriculture Department=20
undersecretary for rural development, predicts a=20
bright future for rural America if it can take=20
advantage of three things: broadband Internet,=20
$100-a-barrel oil and expanding capitalism in=20
Europe and Asia. He said expanding broadband=20
means companies can operate from almost anywhere,=20
while rising oil prices will increase demand for crops used for biofuel.
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2007/11/28/opportunities_seen_for_=
rural_america?mode=3DPFhttp://www.boston.com/business/articles/2007/11/28/=
opportunities_seen_for_rural_america?mode=3DPF=20

SUPREME COURT WEIGHS INTERNET SALES REGULATION
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: David G. Savage]
The Supreme Court took up a little-noted case=20
Wednesday that could prove a boon in the era of=20
Internet commerce -- and deal a setback to=20
states' efforts to keep cigarettes, drugs and=20
other harmful products out of the hands of=20
minors. Until the last decade, states restricted=20
sales of certain products by regulating the=20
sellers. For example, retailers were banned from=20
selling cigarettes to those under age 18. But=20
cigarettes, like nearly every other product, now=20
can be bought over the Internet and sent directly=20
to the consumer, which means the seller cannot=20
verify the age of the purchaser. As a fallback,=20
states increasingly have turned to shippers and=20
delivery services, such as UPS or FedEx, and said=20
they must see to it that certain products,=20
including tobacco, are delivered only to adults,=20
not minors. But Bush administration lawyers=20
joined the trucking industry Wednesday in urging=20
the high court to throw out state law and to=20
shield shippers from all such state regulation of=20
delivery services. This would speed the flow of=20
Internet sales and reduce costs, they said.=20
Forcing delivery services to check on who is=20
receiving a particular product disrupts "the=20
timely and cost-effective flow of packages to our=20
businesses and homes," lawyers for the shippers said.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-scotus29nov29,1,...
7793.story?coll=3Dla-news-a_section
(requires registration)

TELECOM

JUDGE CALLS FOR DATA ON TELECOM LOBBY
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Kim Curtis]
The Electronic Frontier Foundation, an electronic=20
privacy group challenging President Bush's=20
domestic spying program, scored a minor victory=20
when a judge ordered the federal government to=20
release information about lobbying efforts by=20
telecommunications companies to protect them from=20
prosecution. The EFF wants to know about=20
"discussions, briefings or other exchanges"=20
telecommunications companies have had with the=20
Officer of the Director of National Intelligence,=20
according to the court order. U.S. District Judge=20
Susan Illston said "all responsive, non-exempt=20
documents" or anything required to be released=20
under the Freedom of Information Act must be=20
turned over by Dec. 10. Ross Feinstein, a=20
spokesman for the intelligence director, said=20
that the department doesn't comment on pending=20
litigation but that "of course we comply with court orders."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/28/AR200711...
2318.html
(requires registration)
* Telecom Records Demanded
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=3D/c/a/2007/11/28/BALETKJI7.DTL

HOW OPEN CELL NETWORKS WORK IN ASIA, EUROPE
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Jane=20
Spencer jane.spencer( at )wsj.com, Loretta Chao and Cassell Bryan-Low]
Verizon Wireless's move yesterday to open up its=20
network to a wider selection of cellphones could=20
help transform the way the business works for=20
consumers and companies. For a clue to how the=20
future might work, take a look at the cellphone=20
business around the world. In Europe, where=20
consumers can purchase phones anywhere, most=20
people opt to buy discounted phones as part of=20
calling plans, just as Americans do now. But in=20
much of Asia, there are no discounts. Instead,=20
mass cellphone production has led to very low prices and heavy usage.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119629677695607240.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
ketplace
(requires subscription)

FCC PROPOSES EXTENDING THE 5-YEAR REGISTRATION=20
PERIOD FOR THE NATIONAL DO-NOT-CALL REGISTRY
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission adopted a=20
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking=20
comment on whether to require telemarketers to=20
honor registrations with the National Do-Not-Call=20
Registry beyond the current five-year=20
registration period. Under this proposal,=20
telemarketers would be required to honor=20
registrations indefinitely, until the=20
registration is cancelled by the consumer or the=20
telephone number is removed by the database=20
administrator because it was disconnected or reassigned.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-278452A1.doc

MEDIA & ELECTIONS

MORE THAN 60% DON'T TRUST CAMPAIGN COVERAGE
[SOURCE: Editor&Publisher, AUTHOR: Joe Strupp]
Nearly two-thirds of Americans do not trust press=20
coverage of the 2008 presidential campaign,=20
according to a new Harvard University survey,=20
which also revealed four out of five people=20
believe coverage focuses too much on the trivial=20
-- and more than 60% believe coverage is=20
politically biased. The findings were among those=20
in Harvard's Center for Public Leadership=20
National Leadership Index. When asked if election=20
coverage was politically biased, 40% believed it=20
was too liberal; 21% too conservative; and 30%=20
found it neutral. Nine percent of those=20
responding were not sure. Among the findings: 64%=20
of those polled do not trust press coverage of=20
the presidential campaign. 88% believe that=20
campaign coverage focuses on trivial issues. 84%=20
believe that media coverage has too much=20
influence on American voting choices. 92% say it=20
is important that the news media provide=20
information on candidates=92 specific policy plans,=20
but 61% say the media does not provide enough=20
coverage of policy plans. 89% say it is important=20
to hear about candidates=92 personal values and=20
ethics, but 43% say there is not enough coverage=20
of personal values and ethics. Seventy percent of=20
those polled said coverage of negative ads was=20
not important and 65% said the media provided too=20
much coverage of them; 67% say that coverage of=20
=93gotcha=94 moments -- candidates=92 embarrassing=20
incidents and mistakes=97was not important and 68%=20
say there was too much coverage of those moments.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003678478

DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE CANCELED OVER STRIKE
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Steve Gorman]
A televised debate set for next month among the=20
Democratic presidential candidates will be=20
canceled to avoid a potential conflict with=20
striking Hollywood screenwriters. The decision by=20
the Democratic National Committee (DNC) came=20
after several candidates said they would not=20
cross picket lines of the Writers Guild of=20
America, which has been on strike against major=20
film and television studios since November 5.=20
Eight Democrats running for the White House=20
originally had agreed to take part in a debate on=20
December 10 at the CBS Television City studio in=20
Los Angeles, where striking writers have been picketing.
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN2864134420071128
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