For upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org/calendar.htm
MEDIA
FCC Complaints To Deny Licenses Must Be Local, UCC Leaders Explain
Protest Launched Against Sinclair
Powell Urges No Action on 'Ryan' Airing
Public Loses Twice: FCC Promotes Indecency, Then Censors It
Net News Lacks Latinos
Local TV News Looks Overseas
Hezbollah's TV Station Is Ordered Off the Air
Recommendations from FCC's Committee on Diversity for
Communications in the Digital Age
WFED, Radio Free Bureaucrat
TELECOM
A Telecom Frenzy Over Sprint
Sprint's Planned Nextel Deal Builds on Wireless Strength
Fliers Fear Cellular Blab, Hot-Air Planes
QUICKLY -- Lots of Challenges Await new FTC Head; Digital Divide Network Launch
MEDIA
FCC COMPLAINTS TO DENY LICENSES MUST BE LOCAL, UCC LEADERS EXPLAIN
Last week, the United Church of Christ filed petitions to deny the license
renewals of two Miami stations owned and operated by the CBS and NBC
television networks because the networks refused to run a UCC ad aimed at
diversifying local congregations. Gloria Tristani, a former FCC
commissioner (1997-2001) and managing director of OC Inc., said, "It's
important to remember that owned and operated stations are, quite
literally, owned and operated by their respective networks. These two local
stations bring the networks' damaging decisions 'front and center' for
those in the Miami viewing audience." She added, "We believe the church has
a strong case." In its petition, the United Church of Christ argues that,
in addition to the networks' silencing of the church's distinctive
religious and moral voice, it is "impractical, burdensome and expensive"
for the networks to reject the ads and then to intimate that the church
could pursue ad buys in each and every local CBS or NBC market.
[SOURCE: Radio Ink]
http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=126255&pt=todaysnews
PROTEST LAUNCHED AGAINST SINCLAIR
A coalition led by Media Matters for America will announce today a
nationwide protest against Sinclair Broadcast Group, charging that the
62-station TV broadcaster is misusing public airwaves with partisan news
programming. The coalition includes MoveOn.org, Free Press, Campaign for
America's Future, Working Assets, Alternet, and MediaChannel. The main
focus of the protest is the nightly "The Point" commentary by Mark Hyman,
who is Sinclair's spokesman and also oversees the company's Washington
lobbying. A recent Media Matters analysis of "The Point" editions from Nov.
2 to Dec. 1 found that the commentaries repeatedly attacked former
Democratic candidate John F. Kerry, former President Clinton and other
Democratic politicians. Hyman has referred to Democrats as the "Angry
Left," charged that there is a liberal bias in the media and expressed
support for Bush administration policies. The commentary airs on about 40
of the 62 stations that Sinclair owns, programs or manages, reaching about
one-fourth of U.S. homes with televisions. The anti-Sinclair campaign will
be run through a new website, SinclairAction.com.
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Elizabeth Jensen]
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-sinclair14dec14,...
(requires registration)
Also see http://mediamatters.org/items/200412140002
POWELL URGES NO ACTION ON 'RYAN' AIRING
Sixty-six ABC affiliates refused to air the uncut version of "Saving
Private Ryan" on Veterans Day last month, citing concerns that they could
face fines for profanity and graphic violence from the FCC, which has been
cracking down on broadcast indecency. But FCC Chairman Michael Powell has
concluded that the agency should not take action against the other 159
stations that aired the acclaimed movie because the language was part of
accurately portraying the story. Powell's recommendation will go to the
four other FCC commissioners for a vote.
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Reuters]
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-fcc14dec14,1,6421629....
(requires registration)
PUBLIC LOSES TWICE: FCC PROMOTES INDECENCY, THEN CENSORS IT
[Commentary] The authors respond to a New York Times Op-Ed by FCC Chairman
Michael Powell, pointing out that Powell has championed policies that have
led to the growth of indecent programming. They identify those policies as
the relaxation of FCC rules on media outlet and content ownership. They
also fault Powell by responding to questionable content with ambiguous
enforcement when less restrictive alternatives -- television ratings, the
V-Chip, etc -- are available. They conclude: "Mr. Powell has got his
responsibilities under the First Amendment backwards. Over tremendous
public protest, he foisted upon the American public an
excessively-concentrated media that restricts free expression. Then, when
that excessively-concentrated media inevitably produces indecent material,
he censors it. The public loses both ways. Rather than criticize the
legitimate outcry against his heavy-handed policies as "rant," Mr. Powell
would do well to consider the words offered to another well-intentioned but
ultimately misguided public servant in Julius Caesar; 'The fault, dear
Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.'"
[SOURCE: MediaChannel.org, AUTHOR: Peggy Charren and Jonathan Rintels,
Center for Creative Voices in Media]
http://www.mediachannel.org/views/dissector/affalert298.shtml
NET NEWS LACKS LATINOS
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists released its 9th Annual
Network Brownout Report and found that out of 16,000 stories that aired on
the network evening newscasts in 2003, only 131 stories, or 0.82%, were
exclusively about Latinos. Latinos appeared as sources in an estimated 285
non-Latino stories (1.8 percent). Interviews with Gen. Ricardo Sanchez,
California Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson
accounted for 40% of this total. Latinos make up close to 14 percent of the
U.S. population. The Brownout report also found that the majority of Latino
stories that aired in 2003 covered a limited number of topics. Overall, 44%
of Latino stories were about immigration (30 stories) and crime (27
stories). That figure climbs to 55% when human-interest stories (15
stories) are included and to 73% when the topics of election politics (11
stories) and celebrities (12 stories) are added.
[SOURCE: National Association of Hispanic Journalists Press Release]
http://www.nahj.org/nahjnews/articles/2004/december/121304_networkbrowno...
See also:
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA487540?display=Breaking+News&...
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)
LOCAL TV NEWS LOOKS OVERSEAS
According to a new study by the Radio-Television News Director's
Foundation, local television newspeople want to provide more international
news. but news managers say it would be too expensive; producers don't know
enough about international affairs; and viewers "don't care about global
perspectives." Currently a quarter of international stories on local TV
stations are about Iraq.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA487765.html?display=Breaking+...
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)
See http://www.rtndf.org/resources/globalperspectives.pdf
HEZBOLLAH'S TV STATION IS ORDERED OFF THE AIR
France's highest administrative body ordered the TV station of Lebanon's
militant Hezbollah group off French airwaves within 48 hours for
broadcasting hateful content in some shows and posing risks to public order.
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Wire Reports]
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-briefs14.4dec14,...
(requires registration)
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM FCC'S COMMITTEE ON DIVERSITY FOR COMMUNICATIONS IN THE
DIGITAL AGE
The Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age
held its fifth meeting on Friday, December 10, 2004, at Florida Memorial
College, a Historically Black College in Miami, Florida. During the meeting
the Committee adopted recommendations from its subcommittees. Those
recommendations included: 1) establishing a web site that will serve as a
diversity resource directory; 2) modifying the Commission's current EEO
rules to include separate "menus" for recruitment and for career
advancement; 3) urging the Commission to issue a declaratory ruling
concerning foreign investment in broadcast properties that could enhance
access to capital for minority entrepreneurs; 4) urging the Commission to
issue a policy statement that divestiture remedies should be fashioned to
promote practical opportunities for small businesses, women and minorities
to own and operate media and telecommunications services; and 5) adopting a
follow-up report on the best of Best Practices to promote diversity.
Information concerning the activities of the Diversity Committee can be
reviewed at the Committee's Web site http://www.fcc.gov/DiversityFAC.
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-255277A1.doc
WFED, RADIO FREE BUREAUCRAT
Decide yourself, calling all of the medias too fast. Radio Free Fed,
radio... No, REM has not rewritten the tune, but WFED-AM has launched in DC
targeting our underserved federal bureaucrats. If you can't get enough
CSPAN-2, if you devour every issue of the Federal Register, if you know
your FEC from your FERC, WFED (1050) could be your one-stop spot on the
dial. It's all about the federal government -- its management, pay and
personnel policy, "procurement" and people -- from morning till quitting
time. Not in DC? Don't fret, try FederalNewsRadio.com
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Paul Farhi]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62111-2004Dec13.html
(requires registration)
TELECOM
A TELECOM FRENZY OVER SPRINT
Don't pop that Nextel-Sprint champagne just yet. Verizon Communications,
the nation's biggest phone company, has gained the backing of its wireless
partner, Vodafone Group, for a potential bid for Sprint. A Verizon-Sprint
deal would 1) create the largest player in the wireless industry with more
than 65 million customers (Cingular-AT&T Wireless has 47 million), 2)
Verizon would get stronger in its fast-growing wireless business, as well
as long distance and services for big businesses, known as enterprise
services, 3) Verizon would likely sell off many of its roughly 55 million
traditional local lines as it reduces its exposure to that struggling part
of the industry and 4) leave Nextel alone in the cold facing a $3 billion
infrastructure upgrade.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Latour almar.latour( at )wsj.com, Berman
dennis.berman( at )wsj.com, Drucker jesse.drucker( at )wsj.com & Pringle
david.pringle( at )wsj.com]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB110298004512599036,00.html?mod=todays...
(requires subscription)
SPRINT'S PLANNED NEXTEL DEAL BUILDS ON WIRELESS STRENGTH
A look at Sprint CEO Gary Forsee who may be the driving force behind the
proposed merger with Nextel. When he took the helm of Sprint less than two
years ago, the phone company was reeling from the telecom bust, burdened by
debt and grappling with bigger competitors on three fronts: local,
long-distance and wireless calling. He now has the company betting on a
wireless and long distance future.
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Ellen McCarthy and Ben White]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62250-2004Dec13.html
(requires registration)
FLIERS FEAR CELLULAR BLAB, HOT-AIR PLANES
The FCC tomorrow begins a review of its 20-year-old rule prohibiting cell
phone use at 30,000 feet. The Commission will seek to determine whether
recent advances in technology relieve earlier concerns about the use of
cell phones aboard airlines. So business travels are excited, right? More
like anxious about creating flying chatter boxes.
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Keith L. Alexander]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62417-2004Dec13.html
(requires registration)
QUICKLY
LOTS OF CHALLENGES AWAIT NEW FTC HEAD
Deborah Platt Majoras, recently confirmed by the Senate as Federal Trade
Commission Chairman, faces an agenda that includes deceptive ads and
persistent spammers, along with a possible merger wave and alleged
antitrust violators.
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: Jayne O'Donnell]
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20041214/majoras14.art.htm
DIGITAL DIVIDE NETWORK LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE COMMUNITY
In celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Digital Divide Network
(DDN), the Center for Media & Community yesterday launched a new
interactive website for activists working to bridge the digital divide. The
new Digital Divide Network website provides a unique, free online space for
technology advocates, Internet activists, educators and policymakers to
collaborate on bridging the divide. DDN now boasts a wide array of
interactive tools, encouraging activists to share resources, publish
articles, host virtual discussions, establish online communities, and
publish their own commercial-free Web journals, popularly known as
"blogs." These resources can be used for communication and collaboration
between the diverse groups who have a common cause to eliminate the digital
divide.
http://www.digitaldivide.net
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Communications-related Headlines is a free online news summary service
provided by the Benton Foundation (www.benton.org). Posted Monday through
Friday, this service provides updates on important industry developments,
policy issues, and other related news events. While the summaries are
factually accurate, their often informal tone does not always represent the
tone of the original articles. Headlines are compiled by Kevin Taglang
(headlines( at )benton.org) -- we welcome your comments.
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