** To view Benton's Headlines feed in your RSS=20
Aggregator, paste=20
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=3Dtaxonomy/term/6/all/feed into your read=
er.**
MEDIA OWNERSHIP
Big Media Won't Bring Good Things to Life
Groups Weigh In to FCC on Media Ownership
Media Ownership Fight gets Red Hot
Rethinking the Discourse on Race
What's Wrong With this Picture?
Private Equity Groups form for Tribune Bid
TELEVISION
Religious Broadcasters Grab Closed-Caption Waivers
Cable Cleans Up on Campaign Ads
Sweeps In The Dust Bin
"The Daily Show" for Iraq
TELECOM
FCC action on AT&T deal hits roadblock
AT&T Profit Rises 74% on Wireless Growth
Bitter European Telecom Battle Heads to U.S. Courts
GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
U.S. Rank on Press Freedom Slides Lower
South African Broadcaster's Use of Blacklist Stirs Unease
MORE MEDIA OWNERSHIP FILINGS
Consumer Groups to FCC: Further Media=20
Consolidation Threatens Democracy
Media Access Project and Diverse=20
Coalition Urge FCC to Keep Ownership Limits
Coalition Asks FCC to Tighten or=20
Maintain Existing Broadcast Ownership Limits
Citing NBC, Hollywood Hammers FCC
PFF Fellow Warns FCC of 'Media Myths'
NAB: FCC Must Unfetter Local Broadcasters
Hearst-Argyle Proposes Duopoly Viewer Test
AFTRA Members Make Strong Case Against=20
FCC Relaxing Media Ownership Rules
Op Seeks Broadcast-Ownership Cap
QUICKLY -- U.S. telephone subscriber levels=20
remain steady; Service crosses language barrier;=20
How to Evaluate Credibility of News
MEDIA OWNERSHIP
** Yesterday was the initial deadline for filing=20
comments in the FCC's media ownership rules=20
proceeding. Immediately below are some general=20
stories about the proceeding. Farther below,=20
please find links to specific comments filed on Monday **
BIG MEDIA WON'T BRING GOOD THINGS TO LIFE
[SOURCE: Denver Post, AUTHOR: Cindy Rodriguez]
[Commentary] General Electric owns NBC, MS-NBC,=20
Telemundo, Bravo, the Sci Fi Channel, Universal=20
Pictures and large stakes in dozens of other=20
media companies. Its television division produces=20
"The Today Show," "NBC Nightly News with Brian=20
Williams," "Dateline NBC," "Meet the Press" and=20
"Hardball with Chris Matthews," to name a few.=20
The media conglomerate made $157.2 billion in=20
profits last year and reaches 99 percent of all=20
U.S. households. It controls the news you watch,=20
which has become kinder and gentler to government=20
and corporations, while focusing on sex scandals,=20
manhunts, and the big crime story of the day.=20
That's the mantra of media giants, who are more=20
concerned with profits than educating viewers.=20
GE, just like Disney and Time Warner, are=20
monsters with insatiable appetites. They want to=20
control more media and would if there weren't=20
Federal Communications Commission rules=20
prohibiting big media from getting bigger. All=20
that could change if the FCC has its way this=20
winter and allows corporations to own more media=20
outlets in the same city. It's not freedom when=20
the media parrot what government officials tell=20
them, which is what you can expect most of the=20
time on TV news. Granted, newspaper reporters are=20
more tenacious, but with stockholders demanding=20
high profit margins it's a matter of time before=20
they whittle away the staffs of newspapers to the=20
point where we become glorified transcribers for=20
government officials. If you care about who=20
controls what you see on TV and want to stop big=20
media from concentrating even more power, it's time to speak out.
http://www.denverpost.com/rodriguez
GROUPS WEIGH IN TO FCC ON MEDIA OWNERSHIP
[SOURCE: TVWeek, AUTHOR: Ira Teinowitz]
Broadcasters on Monday urged the Federal=20
Communications Commission to recognize how=20
competition has changed over the past 30 years=20
and ease media ownership rules, while consumer=20
groups said changes aren't warranted. In an=20
outpouring of filings on the last date the FCC is=20
to accept comments on its media ownership rule=20
re-examination, all sides are pulling out all the=20
stops. The National Association of Broadcasters=20
contended that TV stations' deteriorating=20
financial condition threatens their viability and=20
that FCC rules restricting duopolies fails to=20
take account of other competition and called a=20
rule preventing companies from owning newspapers=20
and broadcasters in a market "anachronistic." The=20
group suggested many current FCC rules no longer=20
rest on a firm foundation. "In a multi-channel=20
environment dominated by consolidated cable and=20
satellite system operators, broadcasters are=20
clearly unable to obtain and exercise any undue=20
market power," NAB said in its filing. "For this=20
reason, the traditional rationale for maintaining=20
a regulatory regime applicable only to local=20
broadcasters and not their competitors is not a=20
proper basis for keeping the current rules." It=20
urged the FCC to "structure its local ownership=20
rules so that traditional broadcasters and newer=20
programming distributors can all compete on an=20
equitable playing field" and ease rules so that=20
markets of all sizes can more easily form=20
duopolies. Consumer groups warned an easing would=20
lead to a "dumbing down" of the public, arguing=20
that an appellate court ruling they won that=20
forced the FCC re-examination makes clear the=20
FCC's duty is to ease rules only if doing so can=20
clearly be shown to be in the public interest.=20
"The commission should not simply consider the=20
effects on the industry's competitive edge in the=20
marketplace. Rather, the commission must place a=20
greater emphasis on whether the public is=20
actually being served by a diversity of voices,"=20
said a filing from a coalition of the Prometheus=20
Radio Project, Common Cause, the Media Alliance=20
and the Center for Digital Democracy, among other=20
groups. "It is imperative that the commission=20
seriously weigh the benefits of the current rules=20
to employ a diversity of voices." Consumers=20
Union, the Consumer Federation of American and=20
Free Press in a separate filing said that despite=20
changes in technology, "Most people still rely on=20
their local newspapers and local television=20
stations as their most important sources of local=20
news." The groups said those sources have a=20
disproportionate impact on public opinion and=20
that their further consolidation would be "highly problematic."
http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=3D10938
(requires free registration)
* Old Media Urge FCC to Ease Ownership Rules
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3iG...
sv5i2nr7J5KEfGNMtA%3D%3D
MEDIA OWNERSHIP FIGHT GETS RED HOT
[SOURCE: Lasar's Letter on the FCC, AUTHOR: Matthew Lasar]
While corporate America deluged the Federal=20
Communications Commission today with comments on=20
the media ownership docket, a small battalion of=20
media reform groups publicized new research and=20
public filings that urge the FCC not to scotch=20
its broadcast ownership rules. "These studies=20
make clear that media consolidation does not=20
correlate with better, more local or more diverse=20
media content," former FCC Commissioner Gloria=20
Tristani told reporters at a press conference=20
held in Washington, D.C. "To the contrary, they=20
strongly suggest that media ownership rules=20
should be tightened not relaxed." Tristani, now=20
president of the Benton Foundation, announced the=20
release of four academic papers sponsored by=20
Benton and the Social Science Research Council=20
(SSRC) that take a critical look at media=20
consolidation. The studies respond to the FCC's=20
latest attempt to reconsider its media ownership=20
regulations. Up for grabs are rules that limit=20
how many radio stations, TV stations, and=20
newspapers a company can own in the same market.=20
The Benton/SSRC reports contend that: 1) Larger=20
radio station groups do not offer more variety,=20
2) Newspaper/TV cross ownership doesn't=20
facilitate more local news; 3) Women and=20
minorities own almost no radio and television=20
stations; and 4) Minorities intensely distrust mainstream news.
http://lasarletter.com/freepage.php?id=3D200610232
See also --
* Benton, SSRC Say Bigger Media Isn't Better
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2006/10/23/daily.8/
* New rules for media may hurt diversity
http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=3D/20061023/BIZ/610230=
308/1001http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=3D/20061023/BI=
Z/610230308/1001
* 2 Groups Challenge Easing of Media Ownership Regulations
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003286698
* FCC reassessing media ownership rules
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=3D/c/a/2006/10/24/MNGU6LUK35...
TL&feed=3Drss.news
* Studies call one owner of multiple media a bad idea
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/bal-to.media24oct24,0,65837...
story?track=3Drss
* Push for tight regs
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117952484.html?categoryid=3D18&cs=3D1&...
=3D2562
* Does Bigger Media =3D Better Media? Nope!
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/670/
RETHINKING THE DISCOURSE ON RACE
[SOURCE: Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights=20
and Economic Development at St. John's University School of Law]
The Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights and=20
Economic Development at St. John's University=20
School of Law ("The Ronald H. Brown Center=94)=20
issued a comprehensive report entitled:=20
Rethinking the Discourse on Race: A Symposium on=20
How the Lack of Media Affects Social Justice and=20
Policy. The Report examines the lack of=20
diversity in print and broadcast media in front=20
of the camera, behind-the-camera, and in actual=20
media content. The Report gives examples of how=20
the coverage of racial minorities that does exist=20
reinforces stereotypes and distorts images of=20
these groups. Some of these stereotypes and=20
distortions arise from structural, economic and=20
cultural issues in media reporting. These media=20
absences, distortions and stereotypes shape the=20
discourse at the nexus of race and public policy.=20
This Report will be published in an upcoming=20
issue of the St. John=92s Journal of Legal Commentary.
http://new.stjohns.edu/academics/graduate/law/pr_law_061019.sju
WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?
[SOURCE: The Nation, AUTHOR: Kristal Brent Zook]
Once again, all five FCC commissioners were=20
invited. Once again, only two showed up. It was=20
the Democrats alone -- commissioners Michael=20
Copps and Jonathan Adelstein -- who arrived at=20
Hunter College in New York City Thursday to=20
listen and to agree with a crowd of 350 citizens=20
opposed to further consolidation of the media.=20
Emotions ran high, as some waited for nearly four=20
hours, until 10 PM, to have their chance at a microphone.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20061106/brentzook
PRIVATE EQUITY GROUPS FORM FOR TRIBUNE BID
[SOURCE: Reuters]
Several major private-equity firms are=20
considering joining together to bid for media=20
company Tribune. One group consists of Madison=20
Dearborn Partners, Providence Equity Partners and=20
Apollo Management. A second includes Thomas H.=20
Lee Partners and Texas Pacific Group. The Carlyle=20
Group also has eyed Tribune, but it is unclear=20
whether it will participate on its own or jump=20
into a different bidding camp. Tribune is trying=20
to sell itself amid weak financial results, an=20
uncertain future and a divided board of=20
directors. Last week, the company=20
lower-than-expected third-quarter revenue,=20
joining other newspaper publishers in reporting weak advertising sales.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=3DindustryNews&storyID=
=3D2006-10-23T172524Z_01_N23323929_RTRIDST_0_INDUSTRY-MEDIA-TRIBUNE-DC.XML
* Bids for Tribune Co. Coming In: 3 Main Contenders
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003286671
TELEVISION
RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS GRAB CLOSED-CAPTION WAIVERS
[SOURCE: National Public Radio/Weekend Edition 10/21, AUTHOR: Neda Ulaby]
The FCC has increased the number of=20
closed-captioning waivers it gives to TV=20
broadcasters. Religious broadcasters have=20
received a disproportionate number of the waivers.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=3D6358715
CABLE CLEANS UP ON CAMPAIGN ADS
[SOURCE: TVWeek, AUTHOR: Ira Teinowitz]
All politics may be local, but political=20
advertising on cable television increasingly is=20
going national. The Republican Party's decision=20
last week to buy national ad time on cable=20
networks for the first time in an off-year=20
election followed similar purchases from advocacy=20
groups supporting both parties. The national buys=20
augment the heavy advertising that candidates,=20
parties and advocacy groups conduct on local=20
cable systems and TV stations. Networks such as=20
Fox News Channel and CNN are poised to benefit as=20
local advertising time gets scarce in markets=20
where races are tight for the Nov. 7 election.=20
The chance that the Republican Party may lose=20
control of both houses of Congress has raised the=20
stakes in many districts, leading to a run on=20
local ad time in states including Ohio, Indiana,=20
Pennsylvania and Kentucky. So far, the national=20
cable advertising is a trickle, perhaps around $3=20
million, according to Evan Tracey, chief=20
operating officer of TNS Media Intelligence's=20
Campaign Media Analysis Group. The national=20
advertising may increase in future races, Mr.=20
Tracey said, as parties seek to strengthen brand=20
loyalty among their supporters. The tight races=20
in this off-year election may push total=20
political advertising as high as $1.7 billion,=20
the same amount spent in the last presidential election cycle, he said.
http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=3D10935
(requires free registration)
SWEEPS IN THE DUST BIN
[SOURCE: MediaWeek, AUTHOR: A.J. Frutkin]
After years of grumbling that sweeps ratings are=20
falsely inflated through stunts, the=20
once-important measurement periods are losing=20
their oomph. In fact, the upcoming November=20
sweeps (which run Nov. 2-29), may be the most=20
lackluster to date. Although advertiser=20
complaints may have contributed to the diminished=20
luster of sweeps, so have changing viewer=20
measurements. "More than anything, local people=20
meters have really eliminated the need for=20
sweeps," said Brad Adgate, senior vp, director of=20
research, at Horizon Media. Adgate added that=20
broadcasters traditionally have programmed sweeps=20
because stations sell off those ratings books.=20
"But as more stations get continuous=20
measurements, the need for sweeps diminishes," he=20
explained, noting that the nation's ten largest=20
local markets already employ LPMs, with three=20
more cities slated to use them next year, and another five in 2008
http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/current/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=3...
03286393
A TV COMEDY TURNS AN UNCONVENTIONAL WEAPON ON IRAQ'S HIGH AND MIGHTY: FAKE =
NEWS
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Michael Luo]
Nearly every night here for the past month,=20
Iraqis weary of the tumult around them have been=20
turning on the television to watch a=20
wacky-looking man with a giant Afro wig and=20
star-shaped glasses deliver the grim news of the=20
day. The newscast is a parody that fires barbs at=20
everyone from the American military to the Iraqi=20
government, an Iraqi version of =93The Daily Show=20
With Jon Stewart.=94 Even the militias wreaking=20
havoc on Iraq are lampooned. Debuting last month=20
during Ramadan, while families gathered to break=20
their fast after sundown, the show, =93Hurry Up,=20
He=92s Dead,=94 became the talk of Baghdad,=20
delighting and shocking audiences with its=20
needling of anyone with a hand in Iraqis=92 gloomy=20
predicament today. The acerbic newscasts, each=20
lasting about 20 minutes, are broadcast on Al=20
Sharqiya, an Iraqi satellite station that has at=20
times run afoul of the government for its regular=20
news coverage. They are continuing through Id=20
al-Fitr, the Muslim celebration for the end of=20
Ramadan this week. Officials at the station are=20
in discussions about turning the show into a=20
weekly program. The show=92s success is a testament=20
to the gallows humor with which many Iraqis now=20
view their lives -- still lacking basic services=20
and plagued by unrelenting violence more than=20
three years after the American-led invasion.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/24/world/middleeast/24show.html
(requires registration)
TELECOM
FCC ACTION ON AT&T DEAL HITS A ROADBLOCK
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Jim Puzzanghera]
Robert McDowell's confirmation in May as the=20
fifth member of the Federal Communications=20
Commission was supposed to end a 2-2 partisan=20
deadlock that had stymied the agency on several=20
issues for more than a year. But with commission=20
approval all that's standing in the way of AT&T's=20
purchase of BellSouth Corp., it's back to=20
stalemate again at the FCC because of the=20
occasional bane of regulatory agencies -- a=20
recusal. McDowell, a Republican who holds the=20
tiebreaking vote, has removed himself from voting=20
on the $83-billion purchase because he used to=20
lobby for an association of smaller phone=20
companies that opposes the deal. His decision has=20
given the commission's two Democrats leverage to=20
hold up approval unless some of their conditions=20
are met, such as preventing the companies from=20
charging for priority delivery of services over=20
their Internet lines =97 a controversial issue=20
known as network neutrality. McDowell's recusal=20
was expected. During his confirmation hearing in=20
March he agreed to "make sure that there's not=20
even the appearance of a conflict of interest"=20
after being pressed on the point by two=20
senators. But it still has roiled a process that=20
AT&T and BellSouth had hoped would be wrapped up=20
by now after the Justice Department gave the deal its blessing Oct. 11.
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-recuse24oct24,1,73542...
story?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business
(requires registration)
AT&T PROFIT RISES 74% ON WIRELESS GROWTH
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Ken Belson]
AT&T said yesterday that its profit increased 74=20
percent in the third quarter, spurred by strong=20
growth at Cingular Wireless and savings from the=20
merger of the old AT&T with SBC Communications.=20
The company earned $2.17 billion in the quarter.=20
That compared with $1.25 billion in the third=20
quarter a year earlier, before SBC Communications=20
bought the AT&T Corporation, the long-distance=20
service provider, and took its name. Revenue from=20
the enlarged company rose 52 percent, to $15.6=20
billion in the quarter. As a result of=20
cost-cutting efforts including the elimination of=20
3,600 jobs, profit margins rose to 19.5 percent=20
in the quarter, up from 19 percent in the second=20
quarter. With more cuts on the way, AT&T says it=20
expects its profit to grow at double-digit rates=20
next year, assuming that its purchase of=20
BellSouth is approved as expected. AT&T, the=20
nation=92s largest telecommunications company,=20
continues to lose traditional phone customers as=20
more cable operators offer rival products. AT&T=20
also signed up fewer broadband customers than=20
analysts had expected. It may also have to spend=20
more to build up its new broadband television=20
product called U-Verse, analysts said. The=20
company said 10 percent of those capable of=20
getting the service, or about 3,000 customers,=20
had signed up in San Antonio, the first market.=20
It added that it expected to start selling=20
U-Verse to customers in 15 other markets by the=20
end of the year. In the short run, though, AT&T=20
is most eager for the Federal Communications=20
Commission to sign off on its purchase of BellSouth.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/24/technology/24att.html
(requires registration)
* AT&T posts $2.2-billion profit as recent acquisitions pay off
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-att24oct24,1,5097163....
ry?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business
BITTER BATTLE BY TELECOM TITANS IN EUROPE HEADS TO US COURTS
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Leila=20
Abboud leila.abboud( at )wsj.com and Mike Esterl]
Yesterday French media giant Vivendi SA filed=20
suit in U.S. District Court in Seattle against=20
its two rivals for control of Polish mobile-phone=20
firm Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa: German telephone=20
giant Deutsche Telekom AG and a wealthy Polish=20
investor named Zygmunt Solorz-Zak. Vivendi filed=20
the civil suit under the U.S. RICO law,=20
originally designed to nab gangsters, accusing=20
the defendants of conspiring to seize control of=20
the Polish cellphone company by stealing=20
Vivendi's stake in it. The suit asks for $7.5=20
billion in damages, or three times Vivendi's=20
investment, because RICO -- the Racketeer=20
Influenced and Corrupt Organizations law -- permits a tripling of damages.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116165578988201655.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
e_one
(requires subscription)
GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
US RANK ON PRESS FREEDOM SLIDES LOWER
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Nora Boustany]
Some poor countries, such as Mauritania and=20
Haiti, improved their record in a global press=20
freedom index this year, while France, the United=20
States and Japan slipped further down the scale=20
of 168 countries rated, the group Reporters=20
Without Borders said yesterday. The news media=20
advocacy organization said the most repressive=20
countries in terms of journalistic freedom --=20
such as North Korea, Cuba, Burma and China --=20
made no advances at all. The organization's fifth=20
annual Worldwide Press Freedom Index tracks=20
actions against news media through the end of=20
September. The group noted its concern over the=20
declining rankings of some Western democracies as=20
well as the persistence of other countries in=20
imposing harsh punishments on media that criticize political leaders.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/23/AR200610...
1148.html
(requires registration)
SOUTH AFRICAN BROADCASTER'S USE OF BLACKLIST STIRS UNEASE
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Craig Timberg]
Rumors had long existed of a blacklist of=20
commentators banned from the airwaves of South=20
Africa's public broadcasting agency. But it took=20
a blunt conversation with a longtime friend to=20
convince Karima Brown, the outspoken political=20
editor of Business Day, that she was on it. A=20
79-page report commissioned by the South African=20
Broadcasting Corporation on the blacklist=20
indicates that the order emanated from Snuki=20
Zikalala, the top news executive for the agency,=20
a publicly funded behemoth that many here fear is=20
reverting to its apartheid-era roots as a tool=20
for government propaganda. And though spirited=20
public debate remains common in post-apartheid=20
South Africa, the existence of an SABC blacklist=20
has stirred unease in a nation where the ruling=20
African National Congress already controls the=20
presidency, the parliament and all nine provincial governments.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/23/AR200610...
1311.html
(requires registration)
MORE MEDIA OWNERSHIP FILINGS
CONSUMER GROUPS TO FCC: FURTHER MEDIA CONSOLIDATION THREATENS DEMOCRACY
[SOURCE: FreePress, Consumers Union, Consumer Federation of America]
Consumer groups emphasized the critical link=20
between democracy and an open and independent=20
media in detailed comments filed with the Federal=20
Communications Commission today on a proposed=20
loosening of media ownership rules. In more than=20
800 pages of comments and studies submitted by=20
Consumers Union, Consumer Federation of America,=20
and Free Press, the groups urged the FCC to adopt=20
media ownership rules that encourage diverse=20
viewpoints and ensure access to competitive,=20
independent sources of local news and=20
information. "Our data blows holes in past FCC=20
arguments for loosening media ownership limits.=20
The facts are straightforward. A vast majority of=20
Americans still rely on locally owned television=20
stations and newspapers as their most important=20
source for local news and information. Cable and=20
Internet are no substitutes," said Gene=20
Kimmelman, vice president for federal and=20
international policy for Consumers Union. Studies=20
submitted as part of the detailed comments show=20
that in markets with fewer dominant media=20
companies, independent and local media outlets=20
competing against each other are more likely to=20
air diverse opinions and provide more ownership opportunities for minoritie=
s.
http://www.freepress.net/press/release.php?id=3D180
* Public Needs Diverse and Competitive Sources for Local News and Informati=
on
http://www.hearusnow.org/other/newsroom/mediaownership/publicneedsdivers...
dcompetitivesourcesforlocalnewsandinformation/
http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_telecom_and_utilities/003935.html
See also --
* Groups: Consolidation 'Threatens Democracy'
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2006/10/23/daily.15/
MEDIA ACCESS PROJECT AND DIVERSE COALITION URGE FCC TO KEEP OWNERSHIP LIMITS
[SOURCE: Media Access Project]
Media Access Project and a coalition of public=20
interest, media reform and community media=20
advocates, today filed comments in the FCC=92s=20
broadcast ownership proceeding, urging the=20
Commission to protect localism and diversity by=20
retaining the current broadcast ownership limits.=20
Parul Desai, Assistant Director of Media Access=20
Project said, "Without the current rules, a small=20
number of media executives will be in charge of=20
deciding what information the public has a right=20
to receive. How can one be expected to make=20
knowledgeable choices and decisions about issues=20
affecting their lives without a full range of=20
relevant Information.=94 Members of the coalition=20
include: Center for Creative Voices in Media,=20
Center for Digital Democracy, CCTV Center for=20
Media and Democracy, Common Cause, Media=20
Alliance, National Hispanic Media Coalition, New=20
America Foundation, Prometheus Radio Project, and=20
U.S. Public Interest Research Groups.
http://www.mediaaccess.org/press/Ownership%20release%201023.pdf
* read the coalition's filed comments at:
http://www.mediaaccess.org/filings/Ownership%20Comments%201023.pdf
COALITION ASKS FCC TO TIGHTEN OR MAINTAIN EXISTING BROADCAST OWNERSHIP LIMI=
TS
[SOURCE: Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ et al.]
The Office of Communication of the United Church=20
of Christ, Inc., National Organization for Women,=20
Media Alliance, Common Cause, and Benton=20
Foundation, urge the Commission to tighten or=20
maintain existing broadcast ownership limits so=20
as to increase opportunities for minorities and=20
women to own broadcast stations and to best=20
promote the public interest goals of diversity,=20
localism, competition, and efficient use of the=20
spectrum. The Coalition urged the Commission to=20
make increasing opportunities for minorities and=20
women to own broadcast stations a central focus=20
of its proceeding. Increasing minority and female=20
broadcast station ownership would serve the=20
public interest in many ways. First, it would=20
benefit the public by increasing the diversity of=20
programming. Second, it would help to break down=20
racial and gender stereotypes. Third, increasing=20
the number of minority or women-owned stations=20
would result in better service for underserved=20
segments of the population. Finally, it would=20
help remedy the past discrimination against both=20
women and minorities in which the Commission has=20
been at least a passive participant. Tightening=20
the existing ownership limits and eliminating=20
=93grandfathering=94 are among the most important=20
steps the Commission could take to foster new=20
entry by minorities and women. At a bare minimum,=20
the FCC must ensure that discrimination based on=20
race or gender does not occur in the sale of=20
broadcast stations by adopting MMTC=92s Proposal=20
for an equal opportunity transaction rule. The=20
Commission must ensure that local television=20
stations, newspapers, and radio stations are held=20
by multiple, diverse owners. These media are the=20
primary sources of news and information for the=20
vast majority of the American public. Alternative=20
information sources such as cable, Internet, and=20
satellite provide little if any local news,=20
although they may serve as additional platforms=20
for the news gathered and produced by broadcast=20
stations and newspapers. Additionally, a=20
significant number of Americans do not have=20
access to or cannot afford these alternative media sources.
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=3Dnode/3802
CITING NBC U, HOLLYWOOD HAMMERS FCC
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
In comments filed at the FCC on Monday, the=20
Center for Creative Voices in Media argued that=20
the Federal Communications Commission's=20
"ill-considered" ownership policies are "harming=20
competition, diversity of viewpoints and=20
localism." "General Electric's recent=20
announcement that it would reduce or eliminate=20
scripted programming on its NBC network in the=20
8-9 p.m. hour of primetime is particularly=20
illustrative of the unintended harmful=20
consequences of FCC policy changes that have had=20
the practical effect of eliminating=20
independently-produced programming from the=20
public's airwaves," the group argued. "Just two=20
years ago, NBC's 8 p.m. hour block was home to=20
Friends, a hugely popular hit produced by strong=20
independent producers -- one of the few shows=20
still running from the days when FCC policies=20
properly protected the right of independents to=20
access the network airwaves. " Now, says the=20
group, "with GE/NBC taking advantage of FCC rule=20
changes to eliminate independent producers and=20
take over for itself the production of=20
programming, NBC's own in-house studio has=20
developed and produced few successful 8 p.m.=20
scripted shows....[A]dmitting failure, NBC will=20
forego scripted programming in the 8 p.m. hour,=20
and replace it with game shows and so-called=20
'reality' programming -- some of the very=20
programming that Newton Minow cited when he=20
described television as a 'vast wasteland.'"
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6384058.html?display=3DBreaki...
News
* FCC Media Ownership Policies Make Television=92s=20
=93Vast Wasteland=94 Even Vaster, Creative Voices Tells Commission
http://www.creativevoices.us/php-bin/news/showArticle.php?id=3D169
PFF FELLOW WARNS FCC OF 'MEDIA MYTHS'
[SOURCE: Progress and Freedom Foundation]
As the Federal Communications Commission embarks=20
on a new proceeding reviewing media ownership=20
rules, it must not fall under the spell of=20
various "media myths" that have clouded the=20
debate in the past. So warns Progress & Freedom=20
Foundation Senior Fellow Adam Thierer. Two=20
identified myths are 1) Diversity will suffer in=20
an unregulated marketplace and 2) Localism will=20
be ignored in an unregulated marketplace.
http://www.pff.org/news/news/2006/fccfiling102006.html
* Read Thierer's filed comments at=20
http://www.pff.org/issues-pubs/filings/2006/thiererfilingin2006mediaowne...
ipFNPRM.pdf
NAB: FCC MUST UNFETTER LOCAL BROADCASTERS
[SOURCE: tvnewsday]
In its comments on the FCC=92s proposed ownership=20
reform, the National Association of Broadcasters=20
emphasized that the commission =93has a clear duty=20
=85 to reevaluate the broadcast ownership rules to=20
ensure they still serve the public interest in a=20
rapidly changing media marketplace.=94 The NAB says=20
the current rules do not serve the public and=20
offered suggestions for change: 1) =93The=20
commission should reform the television duopoly=20
rule to reflect the current competitive=20
television marketplace and allow more freely the=20
formation of duopolies in markets of all sizes.=20
Freely permitting local television duopolies is=20
necessary to preserve and enhance television=20
broadcasters=92 ability to serve their viewers and=20
communities in markets of all sizes.=94 2) =93As NAB=20
has previously shown, the case for repealing the=20
anachronistic ban on joint ownership of=20
newspapers and broadcast outlets is clear and=20
compelling. The ban inhibits the development of=20
new innovative media services, especially on-line=20
and digital services, and precludes struggling=20
broadcast and newspaper entities, particularly=20
those in smaller markets, from joining together=20
to improve, or at least maintain, existing local=20
news operations.=94 3) =93The radio/television=20
cross-ownership rule similarly does nothing to=20
advance the public interest under current=20
marketplace conditions. The rule is no longer=20
needed to ensure diversity in local markets, but=20
in its current form primarily serves to limit=20
radio station ownership arbitrarily. With=20
television and radio broadcasters facing=20
unprecedented competition from cable, satellite=20
television and radio, and audio and video=20
Internet applications, a cross-ownership rule=20
applicable only to local radio and television=20
broadcast stations is inequitable and outdated."=20
4) =93In response to the commission=92s request for=20
comment on proposals to foster ownership of=20
broadcast outlets by minorities, women and small=20
businesses, NAB reiterates its long-held belief=20
that the commission should pursue=20
constitutionally sustainable programs to further=20
opportunities for such groups. NAB recognizes=20
that improving access to capital is key to this=20
effort and suggests ways to achieve this goal,=20
including reform of attribution and auction rules.=94
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2006/10/23/daily.11/
* See the NAB's comments at=20
http://www.nab.org/xert/corpcomm/pressrel/102306_OwnershipFinal.pdf
HEARST-ARGYLE PROPOSES DUOPOLY VIEWER TEST
[SOURCE: tvnewsday]
In comments on the FCC=92s review of its broadcast=20
station ownership rules, Hearst-Argyle=20
Television has proposed a new standard that=20
would eliminate the existing =93voice count=94 and=20
=93top four=94 restrictions that require eight=20
=93voices=94 or owners in a market and prohibit a=20
combination of the market=92s top four stations.=20
The proposal substitutes, instead, an analog of=20
antitrust law and analysis and is two-fold: 1)=20
The Commission should permit common ownership of=20
local television stations as long as the=20
combination=92s collective audience share is 30% or=20
less,=94 and 2) =93The resulting concentration,=20
together with the change in concentration of=20
audience share, post-combination, must satisfy a=20
standard that is grounded in the general standard=20
=85 analog for audience share.=94 Hearst-Argyle told=20
the FCC that =93notwithstanding claims to the=20
contrary, never in history have viewers been=20
afforded more choice in how to receive video=20
programming or greater diversity in the=20
programming available for viewing. Nor have local=20
television markets ever been more competitive.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2006/10/23/daily.13/
AFTRA MEMBERS MAKE STRONG CASE AGAINST FCC RELAXING MEDIA OWNERSHIP RULES
[SOURCE: American Federation of Television and Radio Artists]
Federal Communications Commissioners Jonathan=20
Adelstein and Michael Copps heard from members of=20
the American Federation of Television and Radio=20
Artists and other community members at a town=20
hall meeting that focused on the impact of media=20
consolidation on the news, information, and=20
entertainment needs of communities of color. As a=20
participant on the panel explored diversity in=20
the media, AFTRA member and former Boston radio=20
host "Coach" Willie Maye spoke about how the=20
silencing of radio station WILD-FM destroyed a=20
valuable media outlet, which serviced a minority=20
community in Boston. =93For decades, WILD radio=20
served as the voice of the Black community in=20
Greater Boston through its unique mix of local=20
programming, news, and music,=94 said Maye.=20
=93Unfortunately, this heritage urban voice was=20
abruptly silenced last month as the current=20
owners plan to sell the station to another radio=20
corporation that is interested only in the=20
transmitter to enhance the signal of one of their=20
current stations. The Federal Communications=20
Commission is currently evaluating not only the=20
sale of WILD, but also the rules governing=20
corporate ownership of the public airwaves. With=20
the sale of WILD, we have seen first-hand the=20
impact of radio ownership consolidation on our community.=94
http://www.aftra.org/mediaconsolidation/2006_10_20_fcc_newyorkcity.html
OP SEEKS BROADCAST-OWNERSHIP CAP
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
Citing its recent clash with Sinclair Broadcast=20
Group in West Virginia, cable operator Suddenlink=20
Communications wants federal regulators to ensure=20
that each of the top four TV stations in a local=20
market has independent ownership or management.=20
Suddenlink, in comments filed with the Federal=20
Communications Commission Monday, said the common=20
ownership of two or more top-ranked stations puts=20
cable operators at a disadvantage in carriage negotiations.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6384092.html?display=3DBreaking+News
QUICKLY
US TELEPHONE SUBSCRIBER LEVELS REMAIN STEADY OVER 23 YEARS, STUDY SHOWS
[SOURCE: Lasar's Letter on the FCC, AUTHOR: Matthew Lasar]
92.8 percent of all households in the United=20
States had telephone service in March of 2006,=20
according to a new FCC report. The data comes=20
from the Current Population Survey completed by=20
the Census Bureau in that month. All told, 107.2=20
million households reported subscribing to=20
telephone service in March of this year, but 8.4=20
million did not, a little over 7 percent of the=20
U.S. population. Similar data culled over the=20
last two decades indicates that that percent has=20
not changed much over time. In November of 1983,=20
91.4% of households had telephone service. The=20
percentage of such households has never dropped=20
below 90% and has sometimes risen as high as 95.5%.
http://lasarletter.com/freepage.php?id=3D200610231
SERVICE CROSSES LANGUAGE BARRIER
[SOURCE: USAToday 10/22, AUTHOR: Leslie Cauley]
As the population of non-English-speakers in the=20
USA continues to rise, so does the need for=20
services to help them communicate, says Louis=20
Provenzano, president of Language Line Services,=20
which has provided interpreting, via the=20
telephone, for 25 years. "Every 31 seconds a=20
limited-English speaker enters the United=20
States," Provenzano says. One out of every five=20
people here speaks a language other than English,=20
he says, and high levels of immigration continue=20
to increase that number. The trend has serious=20
consequences for businesses because, according to=20
Language Line, people are four times more likely=20
to buy a product or service if the business is=20
communicating with them in their native language.
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2006-10-22-translation-phones_x.htm
HOW TO EVALUATE CREDIBILITY OF NEWS
[SOURCE: Editor&Publisher, AUTHOR: Anna Crane]
Since the Internet has created the opportunity=20
for an infinite number of news outlets, the=20
ability to distinguish news from gossip, and=20
credibility from popularity, is an increasingly=20
useful skill -- not only for journalists but for=20
news consumers as well. In response, the newly=20
created Stony Brook University School of=20
Journalism in New York is offering a course in=20
news literacy that will attempt to teach its=20
students how to distinguish fact from fiction.=20
Throughout the course, students analyze different=20
media outlets, different types of stories, and=20
different types of sources. Several classes are=20
devoted entirely to Internet communications. With=20
the guidance of journalism professors and media=20
experts, students learn to identify =93quality=20
journalism=94 in all of these areas.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003286893
--------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------