MEDIA OWNERSHIP
FCC Chairman Warns of More Regulation
FCC Chief Denies Leaving, Previews Agenda
CDD Asks NYSE to Investigate News Corp./Hughes Deal
E-GOVERNMENT
US State Dept: Diversity Immigration Visa Applications to be
Accepted Online Only
WORLD SUMMIT ON THE INFORMATION SOCIETY
Canadian Government Seeks Citizen Input for Summit
Bangladeshi PM to Attend Summit
INTERNET
Ireland Looks to Power Grid for Broadband
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MEDIA OWNERSHIP
FCC CHAIRMAN WARNS OF MORE REGULATION
During an interview at the Progress and Freedom Foundation Aspen Summit, FCC
Chairman Michael Powell surprised reporters yesterday by announcing
commission plans to examine the effects of the media ownership rules it
adopted in June. The rules have come under fire this summer from a variety
of interest groups as well as Congress. "As much as I'm invested in the
rules ... I have an obligation as an expert adviser to make sure this is
channeled into something constructive," Powell said. "There is a sentiment
being expressed by the American public, a concern about the media, a concern
about big media." Powell did not release details of the examination but
indicated that he would do so at a Wednesday press conference. Despite the
somewhat positive tone, public interest groups are maintaining a watchful
eye. "He's going full speed ahead in implementing the rules," said Andrew
Schwartzman of the Media Access Project. "He can study to his heart's
content and it's not going to change what's going on."
SOURCE: The Guardian; AUTHOR: David Ho, Associated Press
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-3042591,00.html
See Also:
FCC to Study Impact of New Rules on Media Ownership
http://www.statesman.com/business/content/auto/epaper/editions/today/bus...
s_f314acbd05a430c00066.html
FCC CHIEF DENIES LEAVING, PREVIEWS AGENDA
During his remarks yesterday at the PFF Aspen Summit (see above story), FCC
Chairman Michael Powell also laid out an agenda for the next year in his
term, quelling rumors of his impending resignation. Foremost on his to-do
list is a review of the FCC's guidelines to state telephone regulators
regarding the prices local incumbents charge to competitors for the use of
their networks. "I don't think we have local competition in place in a
substantially meaningful way yet," he told Reuters. "I think rates will stay
low and stay competitive all the time if we get competition right." Powell
added that he wasn't quite sure what the right prices are, given that the
current guidelines were created seven years ago. Powell also called on
Congress to provide the FCC with specific media ownership guidelines rather
than participate in what he characterizes as an "anti-vote." "If we're going
to do this, let's pass real laws.... Because at the end of the day ... [a
rollback vote] is not going to produce better media regulation," he said.
SOURCE: The Washington Post; AUTHOR: Jeremy Pelofsky, Reuters
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11656-2003Aug18.html
CDD ASKS NYSE TO INVESTIGATE NEWS CORP./HUGHES DEAL
In a letter to the New York Stock Exchange, Center for Digital Democracy
director Jeff Chester called for an investigation into the likely members of
the proposed Hughes Electronic board of directors. CDD suspects that the
"independent directors" actually have or once had ties to News Corp., Rupert
Murdoch or Hughes itself, which would violate Exchange rules to ensure
proper corporate governance. "If such violations are found, we strongly urge
the NYSE to consider not listing the proposed restructured Hughes
Electronics entity as well as de-listing the parties involved," including
New Corp. and General Motors, Chester said. The letter then outlines the
relationships between the parties and four of the five director candidates.
SOURCE: Center for Digital Democracy
http://www.democraticmedia.org/resources/filings/CDDToNYSE.html
E-GOVERNMENT
US STATE DEPT: DIVERSITY IMMIGRATION VISA APPLICATIONS TO BE ACCEPTED ONLINE
ONLY
The US Department of State announced yesterday that potential immigrants
interested in coming to the US under its Diversity Visa Program would now
have to submit their visa applications online. Approximately six million
people submit applications annually to the program; the US then offers visas
to 55,000 of them through a lottery system. Now, the program is taking a
180-degree turn, technologically speaking: all applicants will be required
to submit their applications online rather than through the mail-only system
used currently. "The Department of State is implementing the new electronic
system in order to improve efficiency in the diversity visa petition process
and make the process less prone to fraud, thus making it less vulnerable to
use by persons who may pose a threat to the security interests of the United
States," the department said in a statement. The statement, however, did not
address the impact of the decision on the millions of otherwise qualified
would-be immigrants who lack Internet access or IT skills.
SOURCE: US Department of State
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2003/23329.htm
WORLD SUMMIT ON THE INFORMATION SOCIETY
CANADIAN GOVERNMENT SEEKS CITIZEN INPUT FOR SUMMIT
The government of Canada is asking Canadians to share their thoughts and
ideas on how information and communications technologies (ICT) can be used
to spur socioeconomic benefits worldwide. The government is collecting these
ideas as it prepares for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS),
to be held in Geneva this December and in Tunis two years later. The website
set up by the government allows Canadians to learn more about the summit,
take part in a survey and submit comments. Submissions are due September 30.
SOURCE: CanadaOne.com; AUTHOR: Michelle Collins
http://www.canadaone.com/ezine/briefs.html?StoryID=03Aug18_2
Website to submit comments to the Canadian government:
http://www.wsis-smsi.gc.ca
BANGLADESHI PM TO ATTEND SUMMIT
The chairman of Bangladesh's telecom regulatory agency has announced that
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will lead the national delegation attending WSIS
in Geneva. "The prime minister decided to attend the summit in response to a
personal invitation from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan," said Bangladesh
Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Chairman Syed Marghub Murshed. "We
will try to foster a greater growth in ICT, especially in software through
this summit." He also noted the "pivotal role" that civil society and NGOs
will play at the summit. As part of its participation in the summit, the
government will prepare a national strategy paper on the role of ICTs in
Bangladesh's development.
SOURCE: The Daily Star
http://www.thedailystar.net/2003/08/12/d30812060145.htm
INTERNET
IRELAND LOOKS TO POWER GRID FOR BROADBAND
Irish Communications Minister Dermot Ahern confirmed Monday that the Irish
government is launching a pilot program to deploy broadband Internet via
electric power lines. The initiative, part of a EUR50 million project funded
by the Communications Ministry, will connect schools, homes and businesses
in Tuam, County Galway. "Powerline communications (PLC) systems have the
potential to provide an alternative broadband infrastructure, which can
compete with local fixed telephony, cable and wireless networks," Minister
Ahern said in a statement. Many experts see PLC broadband as an attractive
strategy for bridging the digital divide because most homes already possess
an electricity infrastructure. However, PLC technology currently requires
homes to be within a few miles of a power substation, limiting the range of
deployment.
SOURCE: ElectricNews.net; Author: Matthew Clark
http://www.enn.ie/frontpage/news-9372044.html
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