BENTON'S COMMUNICATIONS-RELATED HEADLINES for THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017
Today's Event -- Broadcasting Board of Governors -- https://www.benton.org/node/257411
FCC REFORM
Remarks Of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai At The Hudson Institute, The Importance Of Economic Analysis At The FCC - speech
INTERNET/BROADBAND
The FCC Should Preserve Broadband Access for All Schools - Tom Wheeler speech
Education’s Top Chief Technology Officers Look Ahead [links to Benton summary]
Should broadband be included in the Trump infrastructure plan? - Blair Levin, Larry Downes op-ed
The future of net neutrality in Trump’s America
Privacy Fight gives hope to net neutrality advocates [links to Benton summary]
At FCC, Obama-Era Rules on Chopping Block [links to Benton summary]
Former Intel Exec Ready to Help Bring Broadband to Rural Colorado [links to Government Technology]
PRIVACY
No, Republicans didn’t just strip away your Internet privacy rights - FCC Chairman Pai, FTC Chairman Ohlhausen op-ed
Chairman Pai Says Broadband Market Too Competitive for Strict Privacy Rules, Ignores Lack of Home Internet Competition [links to Ars Technica]
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has more broadband choices at home than most Americans [links to Verge, The]
Spectrum Hearing Reveals Raw Wounds From Broadband Privacy Rule Rollback
Democratic Sens press internet service providers over privacy policies [links to Benton summary]
Video: How will a new law blocking internet privacy rules affect you? [links to PBS]
Freak-out boomerangs on internet privacy provocateurs [links to American Enterprise Institute]
BROADCASTING
'Connectivity' Bills from Democratic Reps Targets 'Fake News' Retaliation
Broadcast Diversity Bill Introduced [links to Broadcasting&Cable]
Statement of Commissioner Mignon Clyburn on Introduction of Legislation to Enhance Broadcast Ownership Diversity - press release [links to Benton summary]
JOURNALISM
Ebay Founder Pierre Omidyar network gives $100 million to boost journalism and fight hate speech
Reporter firing shows real threat to public-media independence - CJR op-ed [links to Benton summary]
Newhouse School announces finalists in 2017 Mirror Awards competition [links to Syracuse University]
BUDGET
Stanley McChrystal: Save PBS. It Makes Us Safer. - Ret. Gen. Stanley McChrystal op-ed
CONTENT
YouTube TV — regular TV, over the internet, for $35 — has arrived [links to Vox]
NFL partners with Amazon to livestream games this season [links to CNN]
Telling Trump’s Story to Children: For Book Publishers, It’s Tricky [links to New York Times]
WIRELESS/SPECTRUM
Survey: Reliable Wireless Is Key for Home Buyers [links to Broadcasting&Cable]
ADVERTISING
The Online Ad Industry Is Undergoing Self-Reflection. That’s Good News. - analysis [links to Benton summary]
Oath isn’t just a terrible name — it’s going to be a nightmare ad-tracking machine [links to Verge, The]
LABOR
Changes to H-1B visa policy could have a chilling effect on the tech industry [links to Los Angeles Times]
GAO Study: Federal Efforts Are Under Way That May Address Cybersecurity Workforce Challenges [links to US Government Accountability Office]
DIVERSITY
Tech Firms Striving For Diversity Fixate On The Wrong Metric [links to Wired]
GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
Editorial Part IV: Trump’s War on Journalism [links to Los Angeles Times]
Editorial Part V: Conspiracy Theorist in Chief [links to Los Angeles Times]
Opinion: Twitter helped Donald Trump win the White House. Now it may cause him to lose it. [links to Wall Street Journal]
PHILANTHROPY
Unleashing the power of endowments: The next great challenge for philanthropy - Ford Foundation press release [links to Benton summary]
LOBBYING
Roku has hired a team of lobbyists as it gears up for a net neutrality fight
POLICYMAKERS
President Trump Removes Stephen Bannon From National Security Council Post
Dan Shelley Will Be Next RTDNA Executive Director [links to Broadcasting&Cable]
Q&A—Former FCC chairman Wheeler speaks out on zero-rated data, the IoT and what he’s doing now - press release [links to Benton summary]
House Oversight Committee Mulls a Cyber-Only Digital Service [links to nextgov]
COMPANY NEWS
After Ailes, the Pirate Flag Still Flies at Fox News [links to New York Times]
Facebook’s Midwest Move Bursts Tech’s Bicoastal Bubble [links to Wired]
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FCC REFORM
PAI SPEECH ON IMPORTANCE OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AT FCC
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission, AUTHOR: FCC Chairman Ajit Pai]
I’m here to discuss the role of economics at the Federal Communications Commission. The state of the FCC’s economic analysis and data collection is not where it needs to be. There are four key problems: 1) economists are not systemically incorporated into policy work at the FCC; 2) economists work in silos; 3) cost-benefit analysis is largely ignored; 4) the FCC has often used data poorly. So today, I’m launching a plan to fix it. Specifically, I’m pleased to announce that I am beginning a process to establish an Office of Economics and Data, or OED. This Office will combine economists and other data professionals from around the Commission. I envision it providing economic analysis for rulemakings, transactions, and auctions; managing the Commission’s data resources; and conducting longer-term research on ways to improve the Commission’s policies.
benton.org/headlines/remarks-fcc-chairman-ajit-pai-hudson-institute-importance-economic-analysis-fcc | Federal Communications Commission | The Hill | Multichannel News | O'Rielly Statement
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INTERNET/BROADBAND
THE FCC SHOULD PRESERVE BROADBAND ACCESS FOR ALL SCHOOLS
[SOURCE: Aspen Institute, AUTHOR: Tom Wheeler]
Until we see otherwise, we should take the Trump Federal Communications Commission at its word that it’s serious about improving the E-Rate program rather than cutting the number three federal aid to education program (like the Trump budget proposes for number one and number two). But those who propose changes must do what any 10th grader would do: their math homework. So, for this homework assignment, let’s ask four questions.
First, what would be the financial impact on rural schools?
Second, how would per-pupil allocations affect the access of rural schools to fiber?
Third, how would the proposals affect current activities?
Fourth, what kind of fiscal deficit for rural schools might be created by this change?
Reform of the E-Rate program has been a huge success for America’s schools and students. Now the people who voted against it are in charge. I hope they do their math homework while remembering their ABCs: Access Benefits Children.
[Tom Wheeler is a former chairman of the FCC]
benton.org/headlines/fcc-should-preserve-broadband-access-all-schools | Aspen Institute
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SHOULD BROADBAND BE INCLUDED IN TRUMP INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN?
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Larry Downes, Blair Levin]
[Commentary] As the White House and Congress develop an infrastructure plan promised during the campaign, many, including senators, House members and mayors, are urging that broadband be included. Here are eight simple ground rules we hope Congress will follow in crafting broadband-related infrastructure incentives:
1. Limit and carefully control direct investment funds.
2. Don’t offer ongoing support.
3. Use market mechanisms where possible.
4. Extend “Dig Once/Climb Once” policies on government property.
5. Improve government processes that hinder private investment.
6. Embrace emerging technologies.
7. Address nonfinancial causes of the digital divide.
8. Use the bully pulpit to encourage digital want-nots.
[Blair Levin is a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Larry Downes is project director at the Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy.]
benton.org/headlines/should-broadband-be-included-trump-infrastructure-plan | Washington Post
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THE FUTURE OF NET NEUTRALITY IN TRUMP'S AMERICA
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Brian Fung]
Now that President Donald Trump has signed legislation repealing landmark federal privacy protections for Internet users, many in Washington are trying to decipher what the move could mean for network neutrality. President Trump's role in repealing the rules is likely to be small; the real center of gravity lies outside the White House. Congress could intervene on net neutrality by writing a bill that repeals and replaces the FCC policy. But a legislative deal does not appear imminent. Republicans, lacking a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, need some Democratic support for any such bill. And Democrats have declined to play ball unless the legislation preserves the FCC's ability to regulate Internet providers like legacy telephone companies, something Republicans have strongly resisted. Despite a federal court ruling upholding the FCC rules in the summer of 2016, industry advocates are still pushing to have the regulations overturned by a fresh judicial hearing. If the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit agrees to rehear the net neutrality case — a decision that could be announced this spring — Internet providers will have another shot at knocking down the rules. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai could make things even easier for the industry by not defending the suit, something he has already done in at least one separate case involving low-cost broadband access. If the court rules against the FCC, the regulations are as good as dead.
benton.org/headlines/future-net-neutrality-trumps-america | Washington Post
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PRIVACY
PAI, OHLHAUSEN OP-ED
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, FTC Chairman Maureen Ohlhausen]
[Commentary] Let’s set the record straight: First, despite hyperventilating headlines, Internet service providers have never planned to sell your individual browsing history to third parties. That’s simply not how online advertising works. And doing so would violate ISPs’ privacy promises. Second, Congress’s decision didn’t remove existing privacy protections; it simply cleared the way for us to work together to reinstate a rational and effective system for protecting consumer privacy. We need to put the nation’s most experienced and expert privacy cop back on the beat, and we need to end the uncertainty and confusion that was created in 2015 when the Federal Communications Commission intruded in this space. The Obama Administration fractured our nation’s online privacy law, and it is our job to fix it. We pledge to the American people that we will do just that.
benton.org/headlines/no-republicans-didnt-just-strip-away-your-internet-privacy-rights | Washington Post | B&C
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SPECTRUM HEARING
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The House Communications Subcommittee held a hearing on wireless spectrum and the economy, but it had to wait for Democratic and Republican lawmakers to air out their grievances over the passage of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution rolling back Federal Communications Commission broadband privacy regulations. The back-and-forth was particularly heated and even personal, illustrating the widening political divide on Capitol Hill. Subcommittee Ranking Member Mike Doyle (D-PA) and full Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) used their opening statements to weigh in on Republicans "ramming" the CRA down the "public's throat," as Rep Doyle put it. Rep Doyle also called out CTIA (though not by name)—a CTIA witness, the only association witness, was at the table—for supporting the CRA, saying the industry association had acted in a "selfish and irresponsible way." He said he expected more from it and its members, and the American people did as well. Saying that CTIA's support for the CRA meant that there were no privacy protections, Rep Doyle said: "Believe me, my constituents and your customers are not happy about this." House Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) shot back that the issue had been "horribly spun" and that the FCC created the problem when it reclassified ISPs under Title II and took over regulation of broadband privacy form the Federal Trade Commission.
benton.org/headlines/spectrum-hearing-reveals-raw-wounds-broadband-privacy-rule-rollback | Broadcasting&Cable | Hearing info
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BROADCASTING
'CONNECTIVITY' BILLS FROM DEMOCRATIC REPS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
House Democrats have released a suite of "connectivity" bills April 5 that would, among other things, prevent the Federal Communications Commission from targeting broadcasters "or anyone else" on the basis of viewpoint, toughen FCC political ad disclosure rules, and boost broadcast diversity.
The Protecting Dissenting Viewpoints and Voices Act (HR 1574), introduced by Rep Ben Jay Luján (D-NM), stems from FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's decision not to weigh in on President Donald Trump's branding of news outlets as "fake news" and in the shadow of the President's ongoing threats, or perceived threats, including invoking potential changes in libel laws or, as a candidate, suggesting his Administration should bock a deal involving Time Warner, which owns one of his main targets, CNN. The bill would prevent the FCC from revoking any license, denying a license transfer, or taking action against an individual for their viewpoints on issues of public importance. The bill would also prevent the President from directing an agency from retaliating over a broadcast viewpoint.
The Keeping Our Campaigns Honest (KOCH) Act (HR 1439), whose name is a reference to the Koch brothers, who are big Republican donors, was introduced by Reps John Yarmuth (D-KY), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Luján. It would "direct the FCC to revise its sponsorship identification rules to require that the true identity of individuals behind anonymous campaign ads be disclosed."
The Expanding Broadcast Ownership Opportunities Act, introduced by Rep GK Butterfield (D-NC) would boost data and reporting requirements for ownership diversity, restore the tax certificate program and establish a minority incubator program (see separate story).
The Connected Government Act which would require government websites to be optimized for mobile.
The Family Telephone Connection Protection Act (HR 1184) which would require the FCC to regulate prison phone rates.
benton.org/headlines/connectivity-bills-democratic-reps-targets-fake-news-retaliation | Broadcasting&Cable
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JOURNALISM
EBAY FOUNDER GIVES $100M TO BOOST JOURNALISM
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Margaret Sullivan]
The philanthropy established by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar will contribute $100 million to support investigative journalism, fight misinformation and counteract hate speech around the world. One of the first contributions, $4.5 million, will go to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), the Washington-based group behind 2016’s Panama Papers investigation, which revealed offshore businesses and shell corporations, some of which were used for purposes such as tax evasion. Other early recipients will include the Anti-Defamation League, the Washington organization devoted to fighting anti-Semitism worldwide. ADL will use the Omidyar money to build “a state-of-the-art command center” in Silicon Valley to combat the growing threat posed by hate online. Another will be the Latin American Alliance for Civic Technology, which promotes civic engagement and government accountability in Latin America. It will receive $2.9 million from the network. The newly announced funding is intended to address “a worrying resurgence of authoritarian politics that is undermining progress toward a more open and inclusive society,” said Omidyar Network managing partner Matt Bannick. The network is also concerned about the declining trust in democratic institutions around the world, including the news media, he said. “Increasingly, facts are being devalued, misinformation spread, accountability ignored and channels that give citizens a voice withdrawn,” he said. “These trends cannot become the norm.”
benton.org/headlines/ebay-founder-pierre-omidyar-network-gives-100-million-boost-journalism-and-fight-hate | Washington Post
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BUDGET
MCCHRYSTAL: SAVE PBS. IT MAKES US SAFER.
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Stanley McChrystal]
[Commentary] I like to say that leadership is a choice. As our leaders in Washington confront tough decisions about our budget priorities, I urge them to continue federal funding for public broadcasting. Public broadcasting makes our nation smarter, stronger and, yes, safer. It’s a small public investment that pays huge dividends for Americans. And it shouldn’t be pitted against spending more on improving our military. That’s a false choice. This might seem like an unlikely position for me, a 34-year combat veteran. But it’s a view that has been shaped by my career leading brave men and women who thrive and win when they are both strong and smart. My experience has taught me that education, trusted institutions and civil discourse are the lifeblood of a great nation. We need public media that acts as our largest classroom. We need broadcasting that treats us as citizens, not simply as consumers. We need a strong civil society where the connection between different people and groups is firm and vibrant, not brittle and divided. We need to defend against weaknesses within and enemies without, using the tools of civil society and hard power. We don’t have to pick one over the other.
[Stanley McChrystal, a retired Army general, was in command of Joint Special Operations Command in the mid-2000s, and is the founder of the McChrystal Group, a consulting firm.]
benton.org/headlines/stanley-mcchrystal-save-pbs-it-makes-us-safer | New York Times
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LOBBYING
ROKU HIRES LOBBYISTS FOR NET NEUTRALITY FIGHT
[SOURCE: Vox, AUTHOR: Tony Romm]
Roku appears to be arming itself for the coming network neutrality war. Roku has hired a pair of Republican lobbyists through an outside government-affairs firm, according to a federal ethics reports, specifically to focus on net neutrality. It’s the first time the company has ever retained lobbyists in Washington, DC. For years, Netflix had been a primary political player in this fight, as a public advocate for strong open internet rules that sparred openly with the likes of Comcast. As Netflix has struck deals with the cable giant and others to speed up its traffic, however, the streaming company has tempered its tone. Enter Roku, which, unlike Netflix, soon may find reason to be even more vocal in the debate: The company is considering whether it should launch an over-the-top pay TV service, apparently. In other words, it increasingly could find itself in direct competition with internet providers.
benton.org/headlines/roku-has-hired-team-lobbyists-it-gears-net-neutrality-fight | Vox
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POLICYMAKERS
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Peter Baker, Maggie Haberman, Glenn Thrush]
President Donald Trump removed Stephen Bannon, his chief strategist, from the National Security Council’s cabinet-level “principals committee.” The shift was orchestrated by Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster, Trump’s national security adviser, who insisted on purging a political adviser from the Situation Room where decisions about war and peace are made. Bannon resisted the move, even threatening at one point to quit if it went forward, according to a White House official who, like others, insisted on anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Bannon’s camp denied that he had threatened to resign and spent the day spreading the word that the shift was a natural evolution, not a signal of any diminution of his outsize influence. His allies said privately that Bannon had been put on the principals committee to keep an eye on Trump’s first national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn. With Flynn gone, these allies said, there was no need for Bannon to remain, but they noted that he had kept his security clearance.
benton.org/headlines/president-trump-removes-stephen-bannon-national-security-council-post | New York Times
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