March 2008

MEDIA OWNERSHIP
Senators seek to overturn FCC media ownership rule
MMTC Gives FCC Thumbs Up on Minority-Related Proposals
Martin: FCC=92s XM-Sirius Review Still on Track for End of March
Deadline Nears for Weather Channel Bids
EU set to clear Google/DoubleClick merger
Yahoo again blocks Microsoft's bid

MEDIA & ELECTIONS
Working the Refs
For Political Reporters, A Never-Ending Story

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
FBI chief: Lack of legal shield won't halt telecom spy partnerships
FBI director acknowledges more surveillance abuses
AT&T Suit Has Cold-War Roots
Pelosi aide: Congress is online-savvy, I swear
Cyber-Rebels in Cuba Defy State=92s Limits

POLICYMAKERS
Martin Won't Set Resignation 'Hard Date' if Next President Is Democrat
Patel Nominated to Head NTIA

BROADCASTING
Dingell Presses FCC, NTIA for Quarterly Updates
Standing up for public television

WIRELESS
Americans Who Use Cell Phones Now Depend More on=20
Them Than Traditional Landlines

QUICKLY -- Beware Of New Network Neutrality Push;=20
Martin: No Investigation of Allegations that=20
Comcast Packed Hearing; U.S. movie box office=20
hits record in '07: MPAA; Creative types must face the music

MEDIA OWNERSHIP

SENATORS SEEK TO OVERTURN FCC MEDIA OWNERSHIP RULE
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Peter Kaplan]
A bipartisan group of senators led by Sen. Byron=20
Dorgan (D-ND) on Wednesday introduced a=20
resolution aimed at overturning a decision by=20
regulators that loosened media ownership=20
restrictions in the 20 biggest U.S. cities. The=20
Senate has 60 legislative days to vote on the=20
"resolution of disapproval." "When nearly half of=20
the people in this country are told that in their=20
cities and towns the media will get the green=20
light to consolidate, they will not be happy," he=20
said. Sen Dorgan, a critic of media=20
consolidation, has complained that the Federal=20
Communications Commission did not do enough to=20
get public comment before it approved the new=20
rules in December. At issue is a new rule,=20
narrowly approved by FCC commissioners on=20
December 18, that eased a 32-year-old ban on=20
ownership of a newspaper and broadcast outlet in=20
a single market and granted exemptions to six=20
specific combinations that had been pending=20
before the agency. Critics say the easing the=20
ownership rule would lead to more consolidation=20
in the industry, eliminate independent voices and=20
degrade local news coverage. They also contend=20
that it created a loophole that would let media=20
owners combine newspapers and broadcast outlets=20
in many smaller markets around the United States, not just the top 20 citie=
s.
http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSWAT00906720080305
* Dorgan Introduces =91Resolution of Disapproval=92 vs. Cross-Ownership Rul=
es
The bill has 13 co-sponsors, according to=20
Dorgan=92s office, including Democratic=20
presidential candidates Sens. Barack Obama (IL)=20
and Hillary Clinton (NY), as well as Sens.=20
Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), John Kerry (D-MA), Susan=20
Collins (R-Maine), Chris Dodd (D-CT), Tom Harkin=20
(D-Iowa), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash), Joe Biden=20
(D-Del), Jack Reed (D-RI), Diane Feinstein=20
(D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Jon Tester (D-Mont).
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6538457.html?rssid=3D193
* Media ownership rules back into play
Like a standard bill, the resolution will be=20
taken up by the Senate Commerce Committee. If=20
passed, it will move on to the Senate floor for a=20
full vote. Dorgan said he already has approval=20
from the committee's top two leaders to proceed=20
with the resolution. So far, no companion=20
resolution exists in the House. And President=20
Bush could ultimately veto the resolution,=20
undercutting its impact. The Senate has 60=20
legislative days to act on the resolution. But=20
given the reduced number of legislative days due=20
to the election year, the deadline could extend into summer or later.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117981896.html?categoryid=3D21&cs=3D1&...
=3D2562
* Dorgan: FCC Shaking Its Pom-Poms for Consolidation
Adds quotes from Free Press, Parents Television=20
Council, National Organization of Women, the=20
National Association of Black Journalists, the=20
Prometheus Radio Project, the National Hispanic=20
Media Coalition and the Leadership Conference on=20
Civil Rights -- all in favor of resolution.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6538672.html?rssid=3D193
* Senators Seek Media Ownership Rule Ban (Associated Press)
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003720602
* Dorgan Offers Resolution of Disapproval,=20
Challenges FCC Ownership Rule Rewrite
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/03/dorgan_introduces_resolution_o.php
* Senators seek to cancel easing of cross-ownership
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-ownership6mar06,1,468...
0.story
* Senate Bill Would Veto Big Media Giveaway (Free Press)
http://www.freepress.net/press/release.php?id=3D343

MMTC GIVES THUMBS UP ON MINORITY-RELATED PROPOSALS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The Federal Communications Commission got high=20
marks from the Minority Media &=20
Telecommunications Council for the raft of=20
minority-related initiatives and proposals it=20
released Wednesday. That's not surprising since=20
most of them were proposed by the MMTC. "The FCC=20
served the public interest by banning=20
discrimination in broadcast advertising and=20
transactions, revising the ownership-attribution=20
rules =85 heightening protections against ownership=20
fraud and authorizing several incentive programs=20
to encourage the sale of stations to minorities,"=20
the MMTC said in praising the initiatives. It was=20
particularly pleased with the prohibition on=20
broadcast-advertising discrimination, which it=20
called the "most significant new federal=20
nondiscrimination mandate in any industry in over=20
30 years," adding that it "should restore to=20
minority broadcasters the $200 million or more=20
they lose every year due to 'no urban' and 'no Spanish' dictates."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6538743.html?rssid=3D193
* FCC Report & Order
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-217A1.doc
* FCC 12/18/07 press release
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-279035A1.doc

MARTIN: FCC'S XM-SIRIUS REVIEW STILL ON TRACK FOR END OF MARCH
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The Federal Communications Commission's review of=20
the proposed merger of XM Satellite Radio and=20
Sirius Satellite Radio could still be done by the=20
end of March. That had been FCC chairman Kevin=20
Martin's projection, and he was not ready to=20
revise or extend those remarks at a meeting with=20
reporters Tuesday. Chairman Martin reiterated=20
that he thought the two satellite-radio companies=20
had a "high hurdle" given that they were the two=20
national providers of the service. Although the=20
companies argued that the market is broader and=20
includes terrestrial radio, he added, "The=20
commission's precedent would indicate that we=20
would consider it in a narrower context." But he=20
also said the companies=92 proposal to deliver=20
their satellite-radio channels in a modified a la=20
carte regime "was intriguing and could provide=20
for additional consumer protection."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6538175.html?rssid=3D193

DEADLINE NEARS FOR WEATHER CHANNEL BIDS
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Andrew Ross Sorkin]
A half-dozen media companies have signaled that=20
they plan to bid for the Weather Channel, which=20
is up for auction. Suitors include NBC, CBS, the=20
Walt Disney Company, Time Warner, the Comcast=20
Corporation and Liberty Media. Also, a handful of=20
private equity firms, including Bain Capital,=20
Providence Equity Partners and Madison Dearborn,=20
have indicated an interest, though they are=20
unlikely to be serious bidders because of the=20
tight credit markets. The Weather Channel, owned=20
by Landmark Communications, a privately held=20
company controlled by the Batten family of=20
Norfolk, Va., has set Friday as a deadline for=20
preliminary bids. Landmark indicated that it is=20
hoping to sell the Weather Channel for as much as=20
$5 billion. However, several prospective suitors=20
have suggested that the asking price is too high=20
and should be $4 billion at the most.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/06/business/media/06deal.html?ref=3Dtoday...
per
(requires registration)

EU SET TO CLEAR GOOGLE/DOUBLECLICK MERGER
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: David Lawsky]
Google is expected to receive unconditional=20
approval from European Union regulators next week=20
for its $3.1 billion takeover of ad firm=20
DoubleClick, people familiar with the situation=20
said. The approval has long been expected because=20
the European Commission decided in January not to=20
object formally to the transaction. The=20
Commission, the EU's top competition watchdog,=20
has never rejected a deal without sending formal=20
objections. Privacy advocates have objected to=20
the deal, saying it would give the two firms=20
unprecedented access to information about=20
consumers. The Commission has said privacy=20
considerations are outside the scope of its=20
authority over mergers. The deal would combine=20
Internet search engine giant Google's dominance=20
in pay-per-click Web advertising with=20
DoubleClick's market-leading position in flashier display ads.
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSL0674359620080306
* Google likely to get EU approval to buy DoubleClick (Bloomberg))
http://www.siliconvalley.com/latestheadlines/ci_8472590

YAHOO AGAIN BLOCKS MICROSOFT'S BID
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: Jon Swartz]
Yahoo has thrown up another obstacle in=20
Microsoft's bid to buy it. The Internet media=20
giant extended a deadline for nominating=20
candidates to its board of directors, buying it=20
more time to find a white knight to help it stave=20
off Microsoft's takeover bid, currently valued at=20
$41.7 billion. The announcement Wednesday comes=20
as Yahoo steps up discussions with Time Warner=20
about acquiring or forming a joint venture with=20
its AOL division, a person briefed on the=20
discussions said Wednesday, requesting anonymity=20
because talks are ongoing. A Yahoo-AOL=20
combination would create a stronger=20
advertising-driven business that could ultimately=20
compete with Google. Yahoo also has been in=20
discussions with media conglomerate News Corp.,=20
the person briefed on the discussions said. The=20
original March 14 deadline could have pitted=20
Microsoft and Yahoo in a bloody proxy battle next=20
week. Instead, Yahoo says, the deadline would=20
fall 10 days after it announces the date for its=20
annual shareholder meeting, which has yet to be scheduled.
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20080306/2b_yahoo_msoft06.art...
* Yahoo buys time with Microsoft by board move
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSWNAS364520080305

MEDIA & ELECTIONS

WORKING THE REFS
[SOURCE: MediaChannel.org, AUTHOR: Rory O'Connor]
[Commentary] Hillary won this week by working the=20
refs. By constantly complaining about coverage,=20
and relentlessly focusing on charges that the=20
news media has favored Barack Obama and treated=20
him far more gently than herself, Hillary was=20
finally able to staunch the bleeding and stage a=20
desperately needed, last minute comeback that=20
will keep her in the game. By mocking the media,=20
quoting Saturday Night Live, and =93practically=20
browbeating reporters,=94 her campaign lived to=20
fight another day. And fight is the operative=20
word. Going negative against the media, as well=20
as her opponent, saved the day for the Clintons.=20
For the first time, Senator Obama seemed off his=20
game instead of on top of it, and on the=20
defensive instead of in command, allowing his=20
own, previously potent narrative to be eclipsed=20
by Hillary=92s. The Obama camp=92s surprise was=20
telegraphed on Tuesday by the candidate himself=20
when he told reporters, =93I am a little surprised=20
that all the complaining about the refs has=20
actually worked as well as it has for them. This=20
whole spin of how the press has been so tough on=20
them and not tough on us =AD I didn=92t expect that=20
you guys would bite on that. Clearly, Tina Fey=20
and I are going to have a conversation.=94
http://www.roryoconnor.org/blog/2008/03/05/working-the-refs
* Swing in momentum may alter media's focus
[SOURCE: Boston Globe, AUTHOR: Peter S. Canellos]
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/03/05/swing_in_momentum_...
_alter_medias_focus

FOR POLITICAL REPORTERS, A NEVER-ENDING STORY
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Howard Kurtz]
In a rerun of a very familiar movie, the media=20
establishment was too quick to crank out the=20
obituaries for a former first lady who keeps=20
bouncing back against Barack Obama. While some=20
commentators are not exactly Hillary fans or have=20
been dazzled by Obama, most say the race is now=20
simply a matter of math -- that Clinton, after=20
getting blown out in states from South Carolina=20
to Wisconsin, faces an insurmountable gap in=20
pledged delegates. "I don't think it's only=20
because of what her supporters see as=20
Hillary-bashing," Dickerson says. "All the=20
sniping between her aides is a telltale sign of a=20
campaign in distress. We're not making this up."=20
Many voters have tuned in only recently, but=20
campaign reporters and analysts have been on the=20
beat since before Clinton and Obama kicked off=20
their candidacies back in January 2007. They=20
originally had to chase 18 presidential=20
candidates, and by now have covered or commented=20
on 20 Democratic debates. "Everyone is toasted,"=20
says NBC anchor Brian Williams, "but they just=20
keep waking up the next morning and doing it=20
again." Sometimes, as the correspondents and=20
pundits ricochet from late-night coverage to=20
early-morning duty, the fatigue starts to show.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/05/AR200803...
3509.html
(requires registration)
* Is the media sold on Obama?
Cal Thomas, a conservative columnist, AND Bob=20
Beckel, a liberal Democratic strategist, have a mini-debate.
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20080306/commonlede.art.htm
* On the Web, Obama Is the Clear Winner
Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) has another=20
place where she needs to catch up: the Web. Long=20
before Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) began his=20
impressive winning streak in the Democratic=20
primaries, he was trouncing his opponents in their online efforts.
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2008/tc2008035_280573....
?campaign_id=3Drss_tech
* Hillary's resurgence extends to online fundraising
After reaching such financial straits that she=20
made a $5 million loan to her campaign last=20
month, Sen. Hillary Clinton has had a resurgence=20
with the support of hundreds of thousands of=20
small online donors. The change in emphasis to=20
small donors mirrors the tactics of her=20
deep-pocketed rival for the Democratic=20
presidential nomination, Sen. Barack Obama, and=20
shows the necessity for candidates to use the Internet to compete.
http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=3D/20080305/PRIMAR...
0305002

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS

FBI CHIEF: LACK OF LEGAL SHIELD WON'T HALT TELECOM SPY PARTNERSHIPS
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Anne Broache]
As Congress debates whether to wipe out lawsuits=20
accusing telephone companies of allegedly illegal=20
wiretaps, the Bush administration has argued such=20
cooperation is key to keeping Americans safe from=20
terrorists. FBI Director Robert Mueller continued=20
that push on Wednesday, but he wouldn't go so far=20
as to say those "private partners" would stop=20
installing requested wiretaps unless certain=20
legal protection is granted. To some extent,=20
Mueller is stating the obvious: Federal law=20
requires telephone and Internet companies to=20
comply with lawful wiretap court orders or lawful=20
certifications from the attorney general, with=20
stiff penalties for noncompliance. But Mueller=20
said in various ways that he was concerned that=20
lack of retroactive liability protection would=20
harm the government's "relationships" with=20
telephone companies -- which seems to leave in=20
doubt whether all of the administration's requests were legal.
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9886461-7.html?part=3Drss&subj=3Dnews&tag=
=3D2547-1_3-0-5
* Wiretapping focus shifts to e-mail communications
For months, the debate has centered around=20
immunity for telecom companies including AT&T,=20
Verizon, and Sprint. The primary focus has been=20
on the warrantless wiretapping of the phone calls=20
made by millions of Americans. In comments made=20
at a public meeting on Tuesday, Assistant=20
Attorney General for National Security Kenneth=20
Wainstein made clear that the FISA fight is not=20
about foreign-to-foreign calls, but actually about Internet data.
http://www.cnet.com/8301-13739_1-9886766-46.html?part=3Drss&subj=3Dnews&...
=3D2547-1_3-0-5

FBI DIRECTOR ACKNOWLEDGES MORE SURVEILLANCE ABUSES
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Anne Broache]
The FBI's abuse of secret requests for telephone=20
and e-mail logs was not limited to a three-year=20
period described in an earlier report, the=20
bureau's director acknowledged to a Senate=20
committee on Wednesday. Last spring, the U.S.=20
Department of Justice's inspector general=20
released a report that the FBI overstepped its=20
authority and may have broken the law from 2003=20
to 2005 in its use of that covert investigative=20
tool known as a national security letter--an=20
admission that drew rebuke from congressional=20
Democrats and Republicans alike. The Patriot Act=20
dramatically expanded the FBI's authority to=20
issue national security letters. Now the=20
inspector general has identified "similar"=20
problems that also persisted in 2006, with=20
details to be disclosed in a forthcoming report,=20
FBI Director Robert Mueller told a U.S. Senate=20
committee on Wednesday. He attempted to downplay=20
those findings by assuring the Senate Judiciary=20
Committee that the activity predates "reforms"=20
the agency has since put into place.
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9886448-7.html?tag=3Dnefd.top
* FBI Chief Reveals More Privacy Lapses
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120473269409613813.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
e_one

AT&T SUIT HAS COLD-WAR ROOTS
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Siobhan Gorman siobhan.gorman( at )wsj.com]
Behind the scenes in the tussle over whether=20
telephone companies can be sued for cooperating=20
with warrantless government surveillance is a=20
35-year-old computer engineer who lives outside=20
San Francisco. Tash Hepting, of Hepting v. AT&T,=20
had remained silent as Washington hashes out an=20
impasse over whether to grant immunity to phone=20
companies, as the White House wishes, which would=20
kill this lawsuit and the 37 others. Mr. Hepting=20
now says he filed suit, with the help of the=20
Electronic Frontier Foundation, a civil-liberties=20
advocacy group, largely because of the=20
experiences of his father, Rick Hepting, a=20
short-wave-radio enthusiast in the 1950s and=20
1960s. The elder Mr. Hepting was told by the=20
government that it was reading his mail because=20
he had made contact with a Chinese radio station,=20
the younger Mr. Hepting says. Mr. Hepting says he=20
became interested in the recent government=20
activities after reading about the National=20
Security Agency's warrantless surveillance. He=20
said he grew concerned that the effort was=20
sweeping up communications of a host of customers=20
of the big telephone companies like AT&T, of=20
which he was one. In pushing to give immunity to=20
telecommunications companies in the AT&T suit,=20
House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio=20
recently said Democrats are opposing immunity to=20
protect their "trial lawyer allies who are=20
seeking to profit" from the lawsuits. President=20
Bush has alluded to the interests of trial=20
lawyers in pushing for immunity. Mr. Hepting says=20
he's "more than a little personally insulted" by=20
that accusation. "I'm not a trial lawyer. I'm not=20
in this to make a lot of money. I'm in this to=20
make a principled stand," he says. His lawyer,=20
Kevin Bankston with the Electronic Frontier=20
Foundation in San Francisco, said they are=20
willing to cap the damages requested. Mr.=20
Bankston said it would be enough to be a=20
punishment but "would not financially cripple the company."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120476570408315217.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
e_one
(requires subscription)

PELOSI AIDE: CONGRESS IS ONLINE-SAVVY, I SWEAR
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Anne Broache]
Let's face it: Most members of Congress don't=20
have the best reputation when it comes to=20
creating a winning online presence. Still, Karina=20
Newton, who serves as director of new media for=20
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, sought on Wednesday=20
to debunk what she called a "myth" that our=20
elected representatives aren't "engaged" online.
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9886978-7.html?part=3Drss&subj=3Dnews&tag=
=3D2547-1_3-0-5

CYBER-REBELS IN CUBA DEFY STATE'S LIMITS
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: James McKinley, Jr]
A growing underground network of young people=20
armed with computer memory sticks, digital=20
cameras and clandestine Internet hookups has been=20
mounting some challenges to the Cuban government=20
in recent months, spreading news that the official state media try to suppr=
ess.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/06/world/americas/06cuba.html?hp
(requires registration)

POLICYMAKERS

MARTIN WON'T SET RESIGNATION 'HARD DATE' IF NEXT PRESIDENT IS DEMOCRAT
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
According to a source familiar with the request,=20
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin=20
Martin declined to commit to resigning if and=20
when a Democrat takes over the White House. The=20
source said the request came from Democratic=20
commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, whose own term=20
is up this year and whose renomination has yet to=20
come through. "Commissioner Adelstein has gone to=20
the chairman," the source said, "and asked for a=20
letter [to Senate Majority leader Harry Reid=20
(D-Nev.)] saying [Martin] will resign when a new=20
administration comes in if a Democrat is elected=20
president." The chairman has not heard from any=20
other commissioners, according to the source, who=20
said Martin was not prepared one year out to say=20
he would commit to leaving at a certain date or=20
regardless of what was happening at the=20
commission at the time, say a key vote or an=20
issue related to the digital-TV transition -- the=20
switchover date is Feb. 17, 2009, some four weeks=20
after the Jan. 20 political switchover. The=20
source stressed that Martin's refusal to set a=20
hard date for his departure did not mean he would=20
necessarily remain on as a commissioner beyond=20
that date, either -- the new Democratic president=20
would name a Democratic chairman. "For that=20
matter, he still expects a Republican to be elected," the source added.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6538749.html?rssid=3D193
* Martin Disrupts Tate-Adelstein Deal: Sources
Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin=20
Martin scuttled a deal between the White House=20
and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)=20
designed to award new terms to incumbent FCC=20
commissioners, Republican Deborah Taylor Tate and=20
Democrat Jonathan Adelstein. Chairman Martin=20
rejected the deal because it required him to=20
pledge to Reid in writing that he would resign=20
his FCC commission in January 2009 if a Democrat=20
were elected president in November. A White House=20
spokeswoman, who declined to be named, said it=20
"was highly unusual" that a Senate leader would=20
even attempt to obtain Martin's conditional=20
resignation in an effort to ease Senate=20
confirmation for two nominees. Tate's FCC term=20
expired last June 30. Under law, she may remain=20
in office until Congress adjourns later this year=20
if a replacement has not been confirmed.=20
Adelstein's term expires in June. Bush=20
renominated Tate last June and Adelstein last=20
November. Here's the scenario Reid wanted to=20
avoid: If Tate and Adelstein were confirmed this=20
year and Martin remained at the FCC well into=20
2009, a new Democratic president could designate=20
Adelstein or FCC Democrat Michael Copps to be=20
chairman of the five-member agency but=20
Republicans would still have a one-vote=20
advantage: Martin, Tate, and Robert McDowell. In=20
that case, the new Democratic president would=20
not have an opportunity to confirm a Democrat at=20
the FCC - and secure an FCC majority for=20
Democrats -- until McDowell's term expired in June 2009.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6538750.html?nid=3D4262

PATEL NOMINATED TO HEAD NTIA
[SOURCE: The White House]
President George W. Bush today announced his=20
nomination of Neil Suryakant Patel, of the=20
District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary=20
for Communications Information at the Department=20
of Commerce. Mr. Patel currently serves as=20
Assistant to the Vice President for Domestic and=20
Economic Policy. Prior to this, he served as=20
Staff Secretary to the Vice President. Earlier in=20
his career, he served as Assistant General=20
Counsel at UUNET Technologies, Inc. Mr. Patel=20
received his bachelor's degree from Trinity=20
College and his JD from Georgetown University. In=20
response, Federal Communications Commission=20
Chairman Kevin martin said, "=93Neil Patel has been=20
a dedicated public servant whom I have known for=20
the past seven years. I am pleased someone of=20
Neil=92s caliber is filling this position at NTIA=20
at such a crucial time. Neil=92s extensive=20
experience with technology and telecommunications=20
issues will immediately help advance NTIA=92s goals=20
and ultimately benefit consumers across=20
multimedia platforms. I look forward to working=20
with Neil on a broad range of issues, and=20
especially as we prepare the country for the transition to digital."
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/03/20080305-7.html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/03/20080305-8.html
* Neil Patel Nominated to Head NTIA
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6538741.html?rssid=3D193
* FCC Chairman Martin
http://www.fcc.gov/030508Patel.pdf

BROADCASTING

DINGELL PRESSES FCC, NTIA FOR QUARTERLY UPDATES
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
John Dingell, Chairman of the House Commerce=20
Committee, has asked the Federal Communications=20
Commission and the National Telecommunications=20
and Information Administration for quarterly=20
updates on whether there is enough money to=20
subsidize digital-to-analog converter boxes for=20
everyone who needs them. The government has about=20
$1.5 billion, less administrative costs, to fund=20
$40 coupons for the boxes, up to two per=20
household. Estimates vary on how many analog-only=20
households there are, but Nielsen recently put=20
the figure at 13 million and falling. The NTIA,=20
which is overseeing the program, has said that it=20
has enough to cover everyone, but Chairman John=20
Dingell (D-MI), joined by House=20
Telecommunications & Internet Subcommittee=20
Chairman Ed Markey (D-Mass.), doesn't want to be=20
caught by surprise if the money does run out and=20
they are faced with unhappy viewers/voters. As of=20
last week, more than 3.4 million households had=20
requested more than 6.4 million coupons.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6538724.html?rssid=3D193
* Press release
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110nr218.shtml
* Text of letter
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110-ltr.030508.NTIA.FCC.DTV.lt...
df
* House lawmakers want regular updates on cost of=20
television converter box coupons (AP)
http://www.signonsandiego.com/entertainment/tvradio/20080305-1659-digita...
-coupons.html

STANDING UP FOR PUBLIC TELEVISION
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Ken Burns, filmaker]
[Commentary] It is that time of year again, when=20
attacks on PBS remind those of us who labor in=20
its besieged vineyards how much we must be=20
prepared to defend our unique but vulnerable=20
institution. With wearying frequency, we are=20
forced to justify our existence to grandstanding=20
politicians who believe that public television=20
must be de-funded (despite the relatively little=20
federal funding -- $1 per person per year -- it=20
requires) because it operates outside of their=20
vaunted "marketplace," and then to those=20
misguided cultural critics who mistake our=20
mission and demand of us something we are not. If=20
enacted, President Bush's budget proposal to=20
Congress would reduce public broadcasting's=20
funding for 2009 and 2010 by 56%. Adding insult=20
to injury, the New York Times took its own swipe=20
a few weeks back, arguing in a Sunday arts piece=20
that PBS has grown tired and frayed and obsolete=20
in a television universe that now includes=20
hundreds and hundreds of choices. It is important=20
to remember, literally, what we stand for. PBS is=20
not the Public Broadcasting System. It is the=20
Public Broadcasting Service; we are obligated to=20
serve the public in a number of decidedly unsexy=20
ways. PBS helps make our country worth defending.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-oe-burns6mar06,1,550...
8.story
(requires registration)
* Time for public broadcasting to leave home (Heritage Foundation)
The rationale for subsidizing the Public=20
Broadcasting Service and National Public Radio is=20
outdated. If PBS and NPR do good work - and they=20
often do - they ought to be able to go it alone in the marketplace.
http://www.islandpacket.com/nation/opinion/story/243870.html

WIRELESS

AMERICANS WHO USE CELL PHONE NOW DEPEND MORE ON THEM THAN TRADITIONAL LANDL=
INES
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: Anick Jesdanun]
Americans have become more dependent on their=20
cell phones than conventional phones. For the=20
first time, Americans say they would have more=20
trouble giving up a cell phone than a traditional=20
phone, the Pew Internet and American Life Project=20
said in a report Wednesday. Less than two years=20
earlier, respondents still considered their=20
landlines the most crucial technology. According=20
to Pew, the cell phone is the technological tool=20
its users would have most difficulty giving up,=20
followed by the Internet and television. Landline=20
phones ranked fourth in the latest survey, just=20
above e-mail. In April 2006, the landline phone=20
topped the list, followed by television, cell=20
phones and the Internet. Pew also found increased=20
dependency on the BlackBerry and similar devices=20
for wireless e-mail. Thirty-six percent of such=20
users say they would have trouble giving that up,=20
compared with 22 percent in 2006 and 6 percent in 2002.
http://www.in-forum.com/ap/index.cfm?page=3Dview&id=3DD8V7FEPG0
* Mobile Access to Data and Information
http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/244/report_display.asp
* Seeding The Cloud: What Mobile Access Means for=20
Usage Patterns and Online Content
There is a demographically diverse group of=20
Americans who already take advantage of mobile=20
access to data and information. With "cloud=20
computing" on the horizon -- whereby applications=20
and data storage move away from the desktop or=20
laptop to remote servers managed by high-speed=20
networks -- the make-up of the population of=20
mobile users offers a distinctive opportunity for=20
encouraging a vibrant cyberspace for the future.
http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/245/report_display.asp

QUICKLY

BEWARE OF NEW NETWORK NEUTRALITY PUSH
[SOURCE: Forbes.com, AUTHOR: Phil Kerpen, Americans for Prosperity]
[Commentary] There is a real risk of a network=20
neutrality bill moving forward this year,=20
especially if it can be smuggled through under=20
the guise of commissioning a study. If proponents=20
of economic freedom successfully defeat that=20
effort, the outcome on this issue could well turn on the presidential elect=
ion.
http://www.forbes.com/2008/03/04/net-neutrality-fcc-oped-cx_pke_0305neut...
.html

MARTIN: NO INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGATIONS THAT COMCAST PACKED HEARING
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin=20
Martin told reporters at a briefing Tuesday that=20
the FCC is not looking into allegations that=20
Comcast packed a Feb. 25 FCC hearing on network=20
neutrality at Harvard Law School. Comcast=20
conceded that it paid some people to be=20
line-sitters -- some of whom wound up staying at=20
the meeting -- but said it was because there were=20
a lot of interested Comcast employees.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6538171.html?rssid=3D193

US MOVIE BOX OFFICE HITS RECORD IN '07: MPAA
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Sue Zeidler]
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)=20
on Wednesday released its yearly film industry=20
statistics, reflecting a 5.4 percent increase in=20
U.S. box office receipts in 2007 to an all-time=20
high. Continuing a recovery that began in 2006=20
after an industry-wide slump in 2005, domestic=20
box office ticket sales climbed to a record $9.63=20
billion over the previous year's level of $9.14=20
billion. Admissions were essentially flat in 2007=20
at about 1.4 billion, according to the MPAA.=20
Higher ticket prices combined with the equal=20
level of admissions produced the boost in overall=20
box office revenue. For 2007, the average cost of=20
making and marketing a movie for MPAA companies,=20
which include Hollywood's major studios, rose to=20
$106.6 million, up 6.3 percent from 2006. The=20
average cost of a ticket rose to $6.88 in 2007=20
from $6.55 in 2006, or 5 percent.
http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN0536665220080305

CREATIVE TYPES MUST FACE THE MUSIC
[SOURCE: Financial Times, AUTHOR: John Gapper]
[Commentary] The late 20th century was a very=20
good time to run a studio or a label in a media=20
company. Apart from having a lot of freedom and=20
being paid a lot of money, executives and=20
producers could hang out with artists and feel=20
creative themselves. Things are now tougher for=20
studio executives and A&R (artists and=20
repertoire) people at music labels. The digital=20
revolution and the end of the DVD boom and the CD=20
era means that there is less money to throw=20
around. They are being thrown out of their jobs=20
instead. Through the haze of self-indulgence and=20
self-regard, fans of the traditional ways of A&R=20
and film-making are correct about two things.=20
First, creativity flourishes in small groups=20
rather than big organizations. Second, talent=20
spotters and producers have skills that someone=20
who works in finance does not possess. But=20
neither fact justifies the high costs and low=20
productivity of studios and labels that have=20
become what Hollywood calls =93mini-majors=94. Nor=20
does it prove that A&R people should earn enough=20
(in the case of a few) to live in Beverly Hills mansions.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0e80a37e-eadb-11dc-a5f4-0000779fd2ac.html
(requires subscription)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Communications-related Headlines is a free online=20
news summary service provided by the Benton=20
Foundation (www.benton.org). Posted Monday=20
through Friday, this service provides updates on=20
important industry developments, policy issues,=20
and other related news events. While the=20
summaries are factually accurate, their often=20
informal tone does not always represent the tone=20
of the original articles. Headlines are compiled=20
by Kevin Taglang headlines( at )benton.org -- we welcome your comments.
--------------------------------------------------------------