April 2014

Half of New York’s Tech Workers Lack College Degrees, Report Says

The fast-growing technology industry in New York is often cited as a magnet for graduates of the nation’s top universities. But a new report found that almost half of the technology jobs in the city are filled by people without college degrees.

The report was commissioned to show just how important the tech sector has become, estimating that it accounts for nearly 300,000 jobs in the city, more than half of them at companies in nontechnology businesses, such as finance and advertising. Alicia Glen, the city’s deputy mayor for housing and economic development, is expected to highlight that overall finding when she speaks to the Association for a Better New York.

Music Industry Pushes Unified Message on Compensation

When it comes to the music industry’s lobbying efforts in Washington, it is time for some harmony.

That message has gained momentum among music executives, who worry that squabbling among the various players -- record labels, music publishers, artists, songwriters -- will undermine broader initiatives to push for new legislation and regulatory reform. The head of the organization behind the Grammy Awards will host a dinner in Washington attended by some of Capitol Hill’s most powerful lawmakers and call for the industry to set aside its differences and lobby under a single message of fair compensation for all.

The speech, to be given by Neil Portnow, the president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, will suggest that disparate messages from the different constituencies have stymied previous campaigns and will argue that a single, all-purpose bill is needed, according to industry executives.

People for Whom One Cellphone Isn't Enough

With work and home lives more intertwined than ever, some people are trying to maintain a clear line between the two by carrying two cellphones. They are putting up with a cumbersome second device -- and an additional phone bill -- in favor of the ability to unplug from the office without going phone-less. And with pictures of the children on one device and emails to the boss on the other, having two phones creates an extra layer of privacy.

The dual-device habit comes as cellphones have become a focal point of daily life. Ninety percent of American adults have a cellphone, and 58% own a smartphone, according to the Pew Research Center. The average US home had 6.5 Internet-connected devices at the end of 2013, up from 5.6 devices in 2012, according to NPD Group's Connected Intelligence/Connected Home Report.

Europe’s telecoms groups unite on opposition to network neutrality

The European telecoms industry has formed a rare united front to oppose proposals to guarantee open access to the Internet, which will be voted on by the European parliament soon.

The industry is concerned about potential impact on their ability to provide higher Internet speeds or guaranteed access services. The European proposals are part of the connected continent regulation, which will also cut roaming costs and regulate mobile spectrum. Ahead of the vote, a letter has been published highlighting flaws in the plans from four organizations representing the telecoms and cable industry. It argues that misconceptions about the industry, together with a rushed legislative process and a lack of technical analysis, risk creating legislation that is anti-innovation and anti-consumer choice. The industry wants to offer specialized services with enhanced quality, and argues that the proposals would result in a lower quality Internet for all by jeopardizing services such as internet TV and telepresence that is provided to broadband business users at a higher price. The plans also prevent operators from efficiently managing their networks and from providing innovative services that require enhanced levels of quality, such as telemedicine or e-education.

However, Neelie Kroes, the EU’s digital agenda commissioner, defended her network neutrality proposal, stressing that it was essential to regulate “specialized services”, which telecom companies want to be able to charge content providers for speedier delivery of their services.

Google Takes Wi-Fi Snooping Scandal to the Supreme Court

The biggest US Internet wiretapping program outside the National Security Agency may be headed to the Supreme Court. Google is asking the high court to rule on the legality of the company’s past sniffing of unencrypted Wi-Fi traffic in neighborhoods around the country as part of its Street View program. If the Supreme Court hears the case and eventually rules that unencrypted Wi-Fi sniffing is legal, that might be seen as a boon to criminals who eavesdrop on public access points to sniff out passwords or credit card numbers. But Google ingeniously argues that the 9th Circuit’s ruling is actually bad for computer security, because it could bar legitimate security scanning.

FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly at the Federal Communications Bar Association

The topic I will discuss is now Internet governance. Before the eye rolling begins, I believe this issues extremely important to the entire communications industry.

And let me give you the key take away: We should all maintain a deep skepticism about the US Government’s recent announcement that it plans to transition away from its oversight of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

A recent Bloomberg article on the ICANN 49 meeting probably summed it up best, and I quote: “A group of nerds and wonks [has been] having some hideously boring meetings in Singapore. You should care: What they produce could change the nature of the Internet.”

Those who have raised concerns about the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) announcement have been labeled as Republican partisans, but even former President Bill Clinton is concerned about NTIA’s plan.

First, and foremost, the fatal flaw in NTIA’s announcement is the potential involvement of foreign governments or quasi-governmental bodies in Internet governance.

Second, from the point of view of maintaining the stability of the Internet, even with ICANN’s flaws, the current oversight structure by NTIA has been an incredible success.

Third, past history and current events show us that numerous foreign governments are more than willing to meddle with the Internet and its use by their citizens. While it is clear that foreign governments will not hesitate to interfere with Internet services and applications when doing so suits their national needs, they also will not hesitate to point out the hypocrisy if and when the United States adopts its own controls over the Internet.

This is an added reason why I am concerned that the FCC will press forward with new network neutrality regulations. At this pivotal moment for Internet freedom, the FCC’s network neutrality proceeding could severely contradict and undermine the US government’s international position. FCC action sends the wrong message: that it is acceptable for nations to impose the strong arm of the government on the Internet. In addition to our domestic concerns, we must also consider the influence of our decisions on other countries, given the strength of our voice worldwide. In conclusion, I urge all of you to follow closely, with a critical eye, NTIA’s and ICANN’s proposals as they develop.

The United States created the Internet and shared it with the world. Now we have an obligation to safeguard it from harm.

Promoting Collaboration to Advance Wireless Spectrum for Economic Growth

The Federal Communications Commission adopted a framework for making 65 megahertz of spectrum available for wireless broadband and other innovative commercial uses.

This action represents a significant milestone as we move the Administration’s ambitious spectrum agenda forward. The FCC’s ability to make available this spectrum depended in large measure on the efforts of an array of Federal agencies that currently occupy portions of the designated spectrum, which they use to operate hundreds of systems that are critical to national defense, public safety, and other vital agency functions.

The work of those agencies, under the guidance of the US Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, was set in motion by a 2010 Presidential Memorandum to find 500 MHz of spectrum held by Federal and nonfederal users that could be repurposed for wireless broadband service. Advances in the innovative uses of spectrum continue to benefit consumers, businesses, and government users while driving productivity and supporting job growth.

We look forward to continuing to implement the President’s ambitious agenda to add more spectrum to fuel to the Nation’s fast-growing wireless broadband economy. As part of this effort, we will continue to promote collaboration among agencies, the private sector, academia, and other stakeholders.

Readout of the Vice President’s Meeting with Business Executives from Information Technology Companies

As part of the Administration’s ongoing efforts to help Americans obtain the skills they need to acquire good middle class jobs, Vice President Biden dropped by a meeting with a group of business executives from leading information technology companies.

The Vice President highlighted the importance of making sure our training efforts teach skills that are in demand by employers. He also encouraged the participants to expand initiatives that have proven successful, including partnerships between companies and community colleges to teach workers new skills. The group discussed how increasing the availability of on-the-job training opportunities -- like apprenticeships -- can help Americans find employment and ultimately widen the aperture into the middle class.

The Vice President is working with private companies, non-profit organizations, federal agencies, education institutions, state and local leaders, and others across the country to make the workforce and training system more job-driven, integrated, and effective.

Can A Television Network Be A Church? The IRS Says Yes

Flip on Daystar television at any hour of the day and you'll likely see the elements of modern televangelism: a stylish set, an emotional spiritual message and a phone number on the screen soliciting donations.

Based in a studio complex between Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, and broadcasting to a potential audience of 2 billion people around the globe, Daystar calls itself the fastest growing Christian television network in the world. The Internal Revenue Service considers Daystar something else: a church. Televangelists have a choice when they deal with the IRS. Some, like Pat Robertson and Billy Graham, register as religious organizations. They're exempt from most taxes but still must file disclosure reports showing how they make and spend their money.

Daystar and dozens of others call themselves churches, which enjoy the greatest protection and privacy of all nonprofit organizations in America. Churches avoid not only taxes, but any requirement to disclose their finances. And, as NPR has learned, since 2009, churches have avoided virtually any scrutiny whatsoever from the federal government's tax authority.

House budget proposal dismisses role of IMLS

In a new budget released from House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) denounces the critical role that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) plays in supporting civic engagement, literacy and lifelong learning in more than 123,000 libraries nationwide.

Chairman Ryan recommends that the federal government not have a role in libraries and that Congress shift the federal agency’s responsibilities to the private sector in his 2015 fiscal year budget resolution.

American Library Association (ALA) President Barbara Stripling released the following statement in response to Rep Ryan’s budget: “We were shocked to learn that Representative Paul Ryan recommended eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the agency that administers the primary source of federal funding to libraries. Libraries depend on the support they receive from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to help patrons learn new skills, find job opportunities and access reading materials that they otherwise could not afford.

More than $180 million has been allocated to the Institute for Museum and Library Services through September 2014 to help libraries make information available to the citizens they serve. In Chairman Ryan’s own state of Wisconsin, more than 65 percent of libraries report that they are the only free access to Internet in their communities. Just blocks from Chairman Ryan’s Wisconsin office, more than 716,000 visitors used the Hedberg Public Library in Janesville, Wisconsin to access library computers and research databases, check out books and receive job training in 2013.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services administered more than $2.8 million in the 2014 fiscal year to help Wisconsin libraries prepare young students for school and provide lifelong learning opportunities for all Wisconsin residents. For example, the state reported that more than 215,000 children participated in summer reading programs at Wisconsin public libraries.

Benton

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