May 28, 2010 (Broadband Reclassification on June Agenda)
BENTON'S COMMUNICATIONS-RELATED HEADLINES for FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2010
Like you (we hope), Headlines is taking Monday off. See you Tuesday, June 1.
BROADBAND/INTERNET
FCC June Meeting Agenda: Broadband reclassification
Telecom Firms Gird for Lobbying War
FCC Will Apply Barriers To Entry Reporting Requirements In Broadband Reclassification
Genachowski gets 'Dingell-gram' on Broadband Reclassification
Lawmakers begin push to extend Internet services to disabled
Bill would limit North Carolina cities starting broadband
Tennessee: Administration Backpedals on Broadband Proposal
WIRELESS/TELEPHONY
CTIA Challenges Free Wireless Broadband Proposal
FCC, Mobile-Phone Industry Spar Over Disclosures, Micromanaging
FCC Focused On Fee Disclosure, Not Amounts
Klobuchar: FCC survey supports plan to rein in cell phone termination penalties
Wyden Calls For FCC Probe Of ETFs
Behind Verizon Wireless' 4G rural buildout plan
FCC Moves to Protect Video Relay Service
PRIVACY
US District Court orders Google to copy data in Wi-Fi case
Facebook's wise privacy move
TELEVISION
Can Local Television Afford Investigations?
CBS Affiliates to FCC: You Don't Have Authority To Remake Retransmission
Public Broadcasters Angered Over Orszag's Description of Grant Programs
GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
Facebook Is Also Freedom
Administration asks public to help solve government problems online
Thailand's crisis and free speech
POLICYMAKERS
Cyber chief to name admired Senate staffer to deputy post, sources say
Free Press' Ben Scott Exits For State Department Post
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
First responder devices still can't talk to each other, Congress told
COMMUNITY MEDIA
These Headline presented in partnership with:
Low Power to the People
LA wins a billboard battle
Why Corruption Grows in Our States
Toward a Healthy Media Ecosystem for Philadelphia
A Chance to Shape Libraries
YouCommNews gathers momentum
Microsoft Researcher Calls for Information Literacy
Bay Citizen Embraces 4 Emerging Trends Among News Startups
Expanding Academic Courses to Include New Media Communication
HEALTH
Health data exchange build starts this summer
ONC adds round of 'Beacon' community awards
EU sets major investments in health IT, telemedicine
MORE ONLINE
Bloggers Ponder the Meaning of Life
CBO Scores DISCLOSE Act
Everything You Wanted To Know About Cable Technology But Were Afraid To Ask
Recovery Act's Data Reports Improving, States Say
6 smart grid hurdles ahead
BillShrink offers way to save cash on television service
BROADBAND/INTERNET
FCC'S JUNE AGENDA
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission, AUTHOR: ]
The Federal Communications Commission will next meet on June 17. On the agenda: a Notice of Inquiry to begin an open, public process to consider possible legal frameworks for broadband Internet services in order to promote innovation and investment, protect and empower consumers, and bring the benefits of broadband to all Americans. The NOI will ask for public comment on questions including:
i) Whether the Commission's "information service" classification of broadband Internet service remains legally sound and adequate to support effective performance of the Commission's responsibilities;
ii) The legal and practical consequences of classifying broadband Internet connectivity as a "telecommunications service" to which all the requirements of Title II of the Communications Act would apply; and
iii) A possible "third way" under which the Commission would reaffirm that the Internet remains unregulated and Internet-based information services remain generally unregulated under Title I of the Communications Act; identify the Internet connectivity service that is offered as part of wired broadband Internet service as a telecommunications service; and forbear under Section 10 of the Act from applying all provisions of Title II other than the small number that are needed to implement fundamental universal service, competition, and consumer protection policies.
benton.org/node/36424 | Federal Communications Commission
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TELECOM FIRMS GIRD FOR LOBBYING WAR
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Amy Schatz]
The Federal Communications Commission's recent effort to ensure it can police Internet providers has prompted new interest in Congress toward rewriting the nation's aging telecommunications laws for the Internet era. The rewrite won't happen right away -- and could stretch on for more than a year -- but phone and cable companies are already gearing up for a lobbying battle that is likely to be expensive. It took Congress over a decade to complete the last major rewrite of the nation's telecommunications laws in 1996. In 2005, Republican lawmakers tried to tweak the laws again to modernize them for the Internet age, but that effort died a year later in the Senate. Because the phone and cable industries are among the most heavily regulated, they tend to spend heavily on political contributions and lobbying. In 2009, the telecom industry spent a combined $43 million on lobbying, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. AT&T spent almost $15 million in 2009. Lobbying and political contributions tend to surge when Congress is considering major legislation. When Congress was considering telecom legislation in 2006, phone and cable companies spent a combined $59 million on lobbying.
benton.org/node/36428 | Wall Street Journal
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MORE ON FCC RECLASSIFICATION NOI
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
With broadband reclassification now on it's June agenda, apparently the Federal Communications Commission will propose that regulation of broadband include collecting data for a report to Congress on "market entry barriers for entrepreneurs and other small businesses in the provision and ownership of telecommunications services and information services." The section was being billed as a "civil rights" provision by minority media seeking its inclusion in the "third way," including the Minority Media & Telecommunications Council. "We are glad they are not forbearing," said David Honig, MMTC president. "But the decision on what is to be forborn or not forborn is a moving target. Even a well-intentioned administration made this mistake. What would a less well-intentioned agency do. What this teaches us is that Congress needs to step in and pass a law that spells out what the ground rules are going to be, not just on forbearance but on broadband regulation in general."
benton.org/node/36423 | Broadcasting&Cable | The Hill
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KNOCK, KNOCK. WHO'S THERE? DINGELL-GRAM
[SOURCE: The Hill, AUTHOR: Sara Jerome]
Former House Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) has written Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski expressing "grave concern" that the proposal to reclassify broadband services under Title II regulation risks reversal by the courts, putting "at risk significant past and future investments, perhaps to the detriment of the Nation's economic recovery and continued technological leadership." Rep Dingell said he doubts the plan despite his support for network neutrality rules, which the FCC hopes to enact under the authority it would gain through its administrative maneuver. Rep Dingell called instead for Congressional action to clarify the FCC's authority over broadband, noting an announcement this week by key Democratic chairmen that they will start this year on efforts to update the Communications Act to address new technology. Dingell, who prides himself on the thoroughness of his "Dingell-grams" sent on issues of concern, listed five points aimed at undermining the legal basis Genachowski has used to support his plan to change the regulatory classification of broadband service.
benton.org/node/36422 | Hill, The | techdailydose.nationaljournal.com
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EXTENDING ACCESS TO THE DISABLED
[SOURCE: The Hill, AUTHOR: Sara Jerome]
Lawmakers want to put legislation helping the deaf communicate with speakers at the other end of an iPhone and providing closed captioning for videos on websites like Hulu on the fast track. At a hearing May 26 on a bill meant to extend Internet services to the disabled, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) said he aimed to win congressional approval by the end of the year. Kerry's bill would bring the two-decade-old Americans with Disabilities Act in line with new technologies by, for instance, ensuring that closed captioning is available for online video. It would also impose a number of new requirements for the Federal Communications Commission to impose on various technologies. Quick passage could be a challenge given industry concerns about parts of the bill. Walter McCormick, the president of US Telecom, pointed to definitions in the House and Senate bills that he saw as problematic. Others have raised questions about the cost of implementing the bill.
benton.org/node/36409 | Hill, The | B&C
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NC BROADBAND BILL
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: Emery Dalesio]
North Carolina's Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday postponed considering legislation that would force municipalities to get voter approval before borrowing money to build a competing broadband network. The bill is the latest in a series of efforts by telecom corporations to keep local governments out of the broadband business. "This is another iteration of the previous ones we have seen over the last three years that are designed to contain and cripple existing systems, and set the bar so high for new systems that it would be difficult for communities to move forward," said Doug Paris, an assistant to Salisbury's city manager. Salisbury has borrowed $30 million to build a fiber-optic network. It will begin testing the system in a few months. The telecom companies are opposed by the politically influential North Carolina League of Municipalities and corporate giants Google and Intel. They argue that crimping municipal broadband could stifle economic growth in a wired age. Cable and phone companies have been urging the General Assembly to restrict municipal broadband services since a 2005 state appeals court ruling upheld the right of towns and cities to offer their residents broadband. Companies argue that local governments have an unfair advantage because they don't have to pay taxes and can subsidize their rates, undercutting the corporate competitors.
benton.org/node/36395 | Associated Press
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TENNESSEE BROADBAND BILL
[SOURCE: , AUTHOR: Andy Sher]
Governor Phil Bredesen (D-TN)'s administration is backpedaling on its proposal to let Chattanooga's Electric Power Board and other municipal electric services expand their advanced broadband offerings outside the areas they currently serve. Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle (D-Memphis) said Tuesday night he plans to delete the proposal from the administration's "omnibus" budget bill that he presents to the Senate Finance Committee.
benton.org/node/36394 | Chattanooga Times free Press
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WIRELESS/TELEPHONY
CTIA VS COUNTY EXECS
[SOURCE: CTIA, AUTHOR: Steve Largent]
Wireless industry lobbying group CTIA has written to the Federal Communications Commission to respond to the recent letter and associated stimulus grant request of the County Executives of America (CEOA). The CEOA Letter requests that the FCC allocate the 2155-2180 MHz spectrum band ("AWS-3") for the creation of a free broadband service to be deployed in connection with M2Z Networks. CEOA notes that it has submitted an application for funding under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) that relies on use of the AWS-3 band, and therefore asks the FCC to abandon the recommendations -- made less than two months ago in the National Broadband Plan -- to explore pairing the AWS-3 band with Federal spectrum in or around 1.7 GHz and "immediately" make available the AWS-3 band for CEOA's proposed network. CTIA says CEOA's letter and application should be summarily dismissed by the FCC and NTIA as they not only violate the goals recently identified in the NBP but also violate the objectives of the BTOP program. CEOA's application, CTIA says, and the proposal upon which it is based suffer from several fatal flaws that will be discussed in more detail in this letter, including:
The NBP specifically recommended that NTIA investigate pairing the AWS-3 spectrum;
The CEOA application is contrary to the NBP, in that it violates the goals identified in the Plan;
CEOA's application would not advance BTOP objectives, as 99.9968 percent of the population in the counties seeking stimulus grants already has wireless 3G service available;
CEOA's proposal commits only to future speeds that are slow by today's standards; and
The submission violates the rules and policies governing BTOP as the rules discourage funding applications that do not demonstrate the applicant's ability to secure all required licenses and regulatory approvals.
benton.org/node/36415 | CTIA
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CTIA: FCC MICROMANAGING
[SOURCE: Bloomberg, AUTHOR: Todd Shields]
After the Federal Communications Commission released a survey showing mobile telephone customers are being surprised by extra fees and contract terms, Steve Largent, president of CTIA - The Wireless Association, said, "I am very troubled with the current direction the FCC is taking. It seems the commission is going to attempt to micromanage what is an incredible array of choices for consumers." Largent, a former Republican Congressman, said the wireless industry "does provide 'simple and easy to understand' plans for every type of American consumer." Verizon Wireless, AT&T and other service providers may face rules like those in Europe, where carriers must send text messages to subscribers who are closing in on plan limits, the FCC said May 11. The agency said it is talking with wireless industry groups about steps to improve bills. Last week the agency said wireless industry concentration is rising. AT&T Inc., the second-biggest mobile-phone company and a CTIA member, said the FCC's conclusion about concentration could lead to new regulations. Other CTIA members include leader Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel Corp. and Deutsche-Telekom AG's T-Mobile.
benton.org/node/36414 | Bloomberg
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FCC FOCUSED ON DISCLOSURE
[SOURCE: MediaPost, AUTHOR: Mark Walsh]
In its probe of wireless early-termination fees, the Federal Communications Commission won't focus on the amount of fees but on notice provided to consumers about them. That should come as welcome news to the major U.S. wireless operators, whose policies around early-termination fees -- imposed when customers break contracts prematurely -- came under scrutiny by the FCC last December after Verizon Wireless doubled its ETF for smartphones and other "advanced devices" to $350. (AT&T followed suit last week.) It appears the FCC will not end up taking any action over the size of fee hikes. "That's not an area we're getting into at this time," said Joel Gurin, consumer and government affairs bureau chief at the FCC. Gurin said Wednesday that the FCC is continuing to work with the wireless industry as well as public interest groups to try to ensure that people have adequate information about charges so they're not taken by surprise. "What's important about this survey is that it gives us a common ground of understanding," he said.
benton.org/node/36413 | MediaPost
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KLOBUCHAR ON ETFs
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Cecilia Kang]
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) said the Federal Communications Commission's survey on consumer cell phone experiences supports her bill that would force wireless companies to do a better job at explaining and notifying subscribers of penalties for leaving their contracts early. Last December, Klobuchar, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wi.), Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark Begich (D-AK), introduced a bill that would require wireless providers to pro-rate early termination fees (ETFs) and clearly notify customers about the fee, not only at the time of purchase, but for the duration of their contracts. "The FCC's consumer survey confirms what we have known for a long time that confusing Early Termination Fees undermine competition and result in less consumer choice," said Sen Klobuchar. "Nearly two out of three Americans have seriously considered switching cell phone providers but ultimately decided to stay with their current provider because of a cancellation fee. Like a rigged carnival game, wireless providers bury these fees in the fine print and slam consumers if they try to find better service or save a few bucks in their monthly bill."
benton.org/node/36412 | Washington Post
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WYDEN CALLS FOR ETF INVESTIGATION
[SOURCE: CongressDaily, AUTHOR: Juliana Gruenwald]
In a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski, Sen Ron Wyden (D-OR) called for an investigation into early termination fees (ETFs). An AT&T spokesman said the fees help offset the deep discounts that his company and others offer for high-end handsets such as the iPhone. He also noted that while it did boost its ETFs for some smart phones it also lowered the fees on some less-advanced phones from $175 to $150. But Sen Wyden dismissed such claims and pointed to Verizon Wireless' response to questions posed by the FCC last year about ETFs. He noted that the fees do not seem to be linked directly to the cost of the devices. "Given Verizon Wireless' response to the FCC's 2009 inquiry regarding ETF structures for 'advanced devices,' it appears that the cost of these termination fees are based on much more than recouping the wholesale cost or retail value of the wireless device," Sen Wyden wrote, adding that Verizon's response indicate that the fees also are aimed at recouping costs and risks of providing service including advertising, commissions, store costs and network costs. He asked the FCC to examine the extent to which monthly service charges for voice and data communications are set to help pay the costs of wireless devices for all subscribers and whether any national providers have reduced their monthly fees once they have recouped the cost of a handset.
benton.org/node/36418 | CongressDaily
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VERIZON'S RURAL 4G PLAN
[SOURCE: Connected Planet, AUTHOR: Joan Engebretson]
[Commentary] Verizon plans to build out its 700 MHz spectrum to match its current 3G footprint by 2013. In areas where Verizon does not offer 3G service today, the company wants to work with small carriers in building out 4G service based on long-term evolution (LTE) technology. Small carriers would have the option of building out the 700 MHz spectrum themselves or letting Verizon build it, sharing some of the small carriers' existing infrastructure. Nelson expects the majority of carriers participating in the program to opt to let Verizon build the network, which would be the less costly alternative. As for timing, a Verizon spokesperson said, "We expect to see substantial movement in 2011." Sounds like a polite way of saying 2012 or later for service availability. Small carriers that want to make service available sooner, however, may opt to build out Verizon's 700 MHz spectrum on their own and tie it to Verizon's core network. In either case, the small carriers would offer service to their customers under their own name, not Verizon's.
benton.org/node/36411 | Connected Planet
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VRS AND TRS
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission, AUTHOR: Press release]
On May 27, the Federal Communications Commission reiterated existing rules and adopted others, and sought comment on a broad array of other possible rule changes to further detect and deter the misuse of Video Relay Service (VRS) and the billing of illegitimate minutes to the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund. The Commission's goal is to eliminate unjustifiable payments to providers at American ratepayers' expense, and to eliminate the provision of service by unqualified providers or service that is not in compliance with the TRS rules. In the Declaratory Ruling portion of the item, the Commission reiterated that payments from the Interstate TRS Fund may be suspended to providers that do not submit to audits. The Order section adopts an interim rule requiring senior executives to swear to the accuracy of information providers submit to receive compensation from the TRS fund. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking section seeks comment on ways to amend the rules to detect and prevent fraud and misuse in the provision of VRS. VRS allows persons with hearing or speech disabilities to use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with friends and family and to conduct business in near real time. VRS is a form of TRS in which a video link allows the caller to use ASL and a Communications Assistant to voice the message to the called party.
benton.org/node/36407 | Federal Communications Commission | Order and Notice of proposed Rulemaking
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PRIVACY
COPY THAT DATA, GOOGLE
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Diane Bartz]
The District Court in Portland (OR) has ordered Google to turn over two copies of wireless data scooped up by the company's Street View cars as they photographed neighborhoods, part of an escalating legal and public relations problem for the search engine giant. Suits have been filed in Washington (DC), California, Massachusetts and Oregon by people who accuse Google of violating their privacy because the cars also collected data from open Wi-Fi networks. Google declined to comment on the lawsuits. It opted last week to retain the data while different jurisdictions figure out what they want done with it.
benton.org/node/36421 | Reuters
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FACEBOOK'S PRIVACY MOVE
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Editorial staff]
[Commentary] By deciding to let users control more of their personal information, Facebook vented pressure building up in Washington to get lawmakers involved. That's a relief not just to Facebook users but everyone on the Web. It's one thing for the Federal Trade Commission to hold companies to the promises they make to their users; it's another for lawmakers to try to design privacy policies for sites whose technical capabilities are constantly advancing, along with their users' demand for services and attitudes about privacy. Facebook triggered outrage when it started sending users' updates automatically to all of their friends. Now that kind of "news feed" is a central feature of just about every social network. What looks like a threat today may prove to be an asset tomorrow. There may come a day when Washington has to craft new rules to stop websites from preying on defenseless users, but we're not there yet.
benton.org/node/36426 | Los Angeles Times
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TELEVISION
CAN TV AFFORD JOURNALISM?
[SOURCE: Columbia Journalism Review, AUTHOR: Lisa Anderson]
An investigative unit is something of an anomaly in local television these days. In-depth investigative reporting is under siege on every platform in journalism and particularly in local television, where the majority of Americans still get their daily news. Such reporting is difficult, time-consuming, and expensive, not to mention potential fodder for lawsuits. It is also indispensable to a democratic society, shining a bright light on issues, injustices, and problems that otherwise remain hidden from public view. Still, it is difficult to measure the return on investment from investigative reporting in dollars or ratings. As audiences and revenues continue to decline in an increasingly fragmented news landscape, even stations committed to quality investigative work must continually ask: Can we still afford it? Here's how one station makes that calculation.
benton.org/node/36397 | Columbia Journalism Review
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CBS AFFILIATES OPPOSE FCC INVOLVEMENT IN RETRANSMISSION
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
On May 25 affiliate television stations of the CBS network meet with Federal Communications Commission officials to argue that the FCC lacks the authority to adopt changes proposed in a petition by Time Warner and other top cable operators, satellite and telephone companies on retransmission consent. Those proposed changes include independent arbitration and preventing signals from being pulled during retransmission impasses. They argued the petition was meant to "thwart" a fair process that is working. They warned the FCC to look out for cable operators who might decide to drag their feet to make their point about a process they argue is broken and in need of fixing. The affiliates "noted that carriers may have an incentive as a result of the pending Petition for Rulemaking to cause an impasse with broadcasters in order to
advance their call for retransmission consent reform."
benton.org/node/36420 | Broadcasting&Cable
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POLICYMAKERS
BHALOTRA TO WHITE HOUSE
[SOURCE: nextgov, AUTHOR: Adam Ross]
White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard Schmidt is expected soon to name a professional staffer for the Senate's Select Intelligence Committee as his deputy cybersecurity coordinator. Sameer Bhalotra sent out notes Wednesday night informing people of his move to the White House, according to sources. He has gained deep respect within the ranks of cybersecurity circles as a strong cyber adviser. "It's a shame to see Sameer leave the Hill and SSCI, but this is a real coup for Howard Schmidt," said James Lewis, a cybersecurity expert and senior fellow at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. Bhalotra has been involved in classified work and has extensive knowledge of the cybersecurity budget. As the key staffer on the Select Intelligence Committee since 2007, he was responsible for the entire cybersecurity budget. He also was a member of the Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency, an advisory group that submitted policy recommendations to the Obama administration. More important, Bhalotra is well-trusted in Congress, and sources say Republicans and Democrats are big fans. Adding him to Schmidt's team is enough reason for Congress to make the White House Network Operations Center a permanent federal office, according to Alan Paller, director of research at the SANS Institute, security training organization.
benton.org/node/36416 | nextgov
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SCOTT JOINS STATE
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Free Press Policy Director Ben Scott has been named a policy advisor for innovation at the State Department. Free Press' policy team will be headed by Research Director Derek Turner.
benton.org/node/36406 | Broadcasting&Cable
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EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
FIRST RESPONDERS
[SOURCE: The Hill, AUTHOR: Sara Jerome]
Nine years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, first responders such as police and firefighters are still imperiled by substandard communications technology. Witnesses testifying to the House Science Committee's technology panel on Thursday said technological problems continue to put first responders in danger. Mobile radio devices sometimes cannot communicate with other devices — even ones made by the same manufacturer — despite interoperability standards intended to guarantee just that, according to David Boyd, a director at the Homeland Security Department. Boyd and Chris Orr, a program manager at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, said the need for action is "extremely urgent" and called for tests so to ensure technology operates across vendors, townships and agencies.
benton.org/node/36410 | Hill, The | House Science Committee
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COMMUNITY MEDIA
These Headline presented in partnership with:
LOW POWER BILL
[SOURCE: Seven Days, AUTHOR: Dan Bolles]
[Commentary] The Local Community Radio Act awaits passage in the Senate. Sen Patrick Leahy (D-VT) explains, "This is a far different Senate than I have ever seen." He noted that in just the last eight or nine months, there had been more than 100 filibusters, a number normally seen over a much longer span — like, 50 years. Without saying so explicitly, he also insinuated that the Senate has been a tad preoccupied with some weightier matters: health care, financial collapse, war, etc. But low power radio remains important to him: "Because I live in a rural area in Middlesex where I see more and more of our radio stations homogenized by out-of-state ownership. These low-power stations really give you a sense of what's happening locally." Asked about the bill's prospects, he said, "It will pass. Soon."
benton.org/node/36393 | Seven Days | 1st installment of the story
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LA WINS A BILLBOARD BATTLE
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Editorial staff]
[Commentary] After years of being pushed around by billboard bullies, Los Angeles has begun to man up. Its latest step away from wimp status was marked Wednesday by a federal appeals court ruling upholding the city's power to ban so-called supergraphics as well as billboards that face freeways. Until now, sign companies have rubbed Los Angeles' own laws in its face. They claimed that when the city allowed a few new signs to be visible from a freeway, it violated the 1st Amendment by supposedly favoring one or two commercial "speakers" and thus invalidated its entire regulatory scheme. Billboard companies ran rampant, ignoring city laws and daring City Hall to stop them. For too long, L.A. tried to talk its way out by giving up a little here and a little more there, but that only made the city weaker in the eyes of the companies. Things changed last year when City Atty. Carmen Trutanich began enforcing billboard ordinances and making it clear he would defend the city in court. In August, the City Council adopted a temporary ban on new signs while it waited to see what the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals would do. Now the court has put the city back in charge of its own landscape by upholding its discretion, through land-use legislation, to designate certain areas as appropriate for signage and other areas as sign-free.
benton.org/node/36427 | Los Angeles Times
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WHY CORRUPTION GROWS IN OUR STATES
[SOURCE: The Daily Beast, AUTHOR: Richard Tofel]
[Commentary] As the fortunes of the press (and particularly of the newspapers that have long played a key watchdog role) decline, costs must be cut, especially news costs. That means fewer reporters on the beat. And when the statehouse is far away-when developments there are not a "local" story -- the capital bureau becomes an easy target. The American Journalism Review reported last year that the number of full-time reporters assigned to state capitals had dropped by one-third in six years, to an average of just seven reporters per state. What is to be done about this? It is clearly impractical, at this late date, to propose the relocation of most of the nation's state capitals. And this is no time in the news business to recommend adding to the total reporting staffs at newspapers. Perhaps new entities, such as the online Texas Tribune (headquartered in Austin, and where I am a member of the advisory board) or California Watch (located in Berkeley and Sacramento) can provide some of the answer. Surely, my own home state of New York would be well-served by the creation of such a group. But at the same time, local publishers who think of themselves as serving their readers' broad interests—the sorts of publishers who continue to fund international reporting, for instance—need also to remember that their own state capitals may be out of sight, but cannot afford to be kept understaffed and thus out of mind.
benton.org/node/36391 | Daily Beast, The
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TOWARD A HEALTHY MEDIA ECOSYSTEM FOR PHILADELPHIA
[SOURCE: New America Foundation, AUTHOR: Joshua Breitbart]
[Commentary] Without necessarily waiting for a more comprehensive survey of the local media ecosystem, any new journalistic endeavor in the city [of Philadelphia], regardless of audience, should consider how increased public access to and changing demographics on the Internet, radio airwaves, and cable system will offer opportunities for distribution, revenue, and broader public engagement. Beyond their usefulness as new media infrastructure, the community engagement processes that WPEB and PhillyCAM have used to develop their assets and that Media Mobilizing Project and the Digital Justice Coalition used to develop its broadband vision offer important lessons for how to launch a collaborative media venture. Residents of Philadelphia who are dissatisfied with how the media ecosystem has served them should look to build on this example and take further advantage of new infrastructure for public participation. Those who have considered themselves well-served by the media should look to the MMP model of a networked media hub that can greatly expand the public's access to information and build relationships across historic divisions. Those who have been unserved by the journalism of the past may be the ones with the most to teach us about its future. It is a message that older media ignore at their own peril.
benton.org/node/36390 | New America Foundation
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A CHANCE TO SHAPE LIBRARIES
[SOURCE: Philadelphia Inquirer, AUTHOR: Amy Dougherty]
[Commentary] It's clear that Philadelphians love their libraries. Now they have a historic opportunity to shape their future. The timing is good. As the city struggles with the economic downturn, low high school graduation rates, and high levels of illiteracy and poverty, the Free Library of Philadelphia is embarking on a strategic planning process, and Mayor Nutter is looking to rebuild the system in the not-too-distant future. That's why the mayor and the library system have joined forces with the Friends of the Free Library to host a series of "Libraries of the Future" public forums. The Free Library, Nutter, and the Friends want citizens to imagine a properly funded, vibrant library system in which libraries are regarded as a necessity for all kinds of people: preschoolers, students, teens, parents, seniors, scholars, immigrants, entrepreneurs, and especially the city's disadvantaged - the 25 percent of us who live in poverty, and the 50 percent who lack computer access at home.
benton.org/node/36389 | Philadelphia Inquirer
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INFORMATION LITERACY
[SOURCE: IDG News Service, AUTHOR: Joab Jackson]
While governments and other organizations are stepping up efforts at providing more information for public consumption, they should also provide tools to allow people to interpret this data, argued a Microsoft social media researcher. "Information is power, but interpretation is more powerful," said Danah Boyd, speaking at the at the O'Reilly Gov 2.0 Expo, being held this week in Washington, D.C. "We want this information out there. We want people to make informed decisions. But we also want to give them to tools to interpret what we see," she said. Speaking before an audience of mostly government executives and supporting contractors, she had stated that it is not enough to provide information to the people -- as government agencies are doing -- because tools must also be provided to aid in the interpretation process. "We need to think not just how we want to make data available but how to help people process it," she said. Such skills will not come about simply "because people have access to information," she said. Without such tools, information can be misused.
benton.org/node/36387 | IDG News Service
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