MEDIA OWNERSHIP/FCC
PRSA Asks US Senate to Block FCC Ownership Rules Change
Commentary: Powell Leads FCC into Turmoil
Powell Stands Corrected
Dereg Web Site Launched
Consumer Advocate to Provide Feedback on FCC's New Phone Rules
E-GOVERNMENT
UK E-Government Plan Leaves 'Essential Services' Vulnerable to
Viruses
EDTECH
Florida Schools' Internet Service in Jeopardy
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MEDIA OWNERSHIP
PRSA ASKS U.S. SENATE TO BLOCK FCC OWNERSHIP RULES CHANGE
The Public Relations Society of America is throwing its weight behind
congressional efforts to roll back the FCC's media ownership rules, the
group said Friday. "The new rules threaten the diversity and local ownership
of broadcast media throughout the nation," said PRSA's Steven V. Seekins.
Consisting of PR professionals from business, nonprofit, government and
other sectors, PRSA is a 20,000-member organization that supports diversity
in media ownership. "In the local media marketplace, we are already
experiencing canned content, 'robot radio,' control of local venues for
public entertainment and news events and growing lack of geographic focus in
news reporting," Seekins said. The organization called on the Senate to
approve the joint resolution originating in the House to roll back the
national broadcast ownership cap to 35 percent.
SOURCE: SocialFunds.com
http://www.socialfunds.com/news/release.cgi/2061.html
View the PRSA Press Release:
http://www.prsa.org/_News/leaders/statement081403.asp
POWELL LEADS FCC INTO TURMOIL
[Commentary] "Bright, articulate and politically well-connected," FCC
Chairman Michael Powell has of late given critics a number of reasons to
question his political astuteness, argues columnist Marilyn Geewax. She
writes that the commission's long tradition of unanimous rulings on major
issues is in tatters after 3-2 votes on media ownership and local telephone
deregulation. After intense criticism, Powell went on the offensive, saying
the FCC would take steps to increase local programming and ensure minority
voices are heard. Skeptics such as Jeff Chester of the Center for Digital
Democracy remain unconvinced. "I think Powell is desperately trying to
salvage his political career, and his ego, by trying to prove that media
concentration isn't really a problem," Chester says. Adds William Daley,
president of SBC Communications: "He can only do so much on his own.... To
be very frank, he needs stronger allies in the administration and stronger
allies on the Hill." However, Powell appears unfazed by the criticism and
demands for his resignation. To fight for deregulation, "I think you better
be prepared to be a really muddy infantry soldier," said Powell, a former
Army platoon leader.
SOURCE: Austin American-Statesman; AUTHOR: Marilyn Geewax
http://www.statesman.com/business/content/auto/epaper/editions/today/bus...
s_f38436d9374301080052.html
POWELL STANDS CORRECTED
In championing the FCC's new localism initiative, Chairman Michael Powell
ruffled more than the feathers of public interest and consumer groups. In
remarks made last week, Powell chastised Sinclair Broadcast Group, Cox
Broadcast and Post-Newsweek Stations, calling them "hypocrites" for
supporting a rollback of the 45 percent broadcast ownership cap in the name
of localism. "The idea that [only they are] uniquely positioned to make
decisions affecting the local community I think is false, simply false -- at
least if the argument is you have to be locally based to serve localism,"
the chairman said. A spokesperson was quick to retract the statement upon
discovering a few minor factual oversights -- primarily that Sinclair has
been conspicuously silent on the cap issue and chose not to take a position.
"Although we have not previously supported a change in the cap, this relates
not to any concerns with such a change, but rather to our being so far below
even the 35 percent cap as to not be overly concerned with this issue," the
company said in a letter to Powell. Cox and Post-Newsweek had similar
concerns, noting that neither company was anywhere near the cap. "The last
time I looked we owned six TV stations, representing coverage of 7.4 percent
of the U.S," said Post-Newsweek president Alan Frank. The FCC spokesperson
said the commission "stand[s] corrected" but added that Powell "was
absolutely correct in suggesting that those supporting a rollback of the
national cap are hardly mom-and-pop operations."
SOURCE: TV Week; AUTHOR: Doug Halonen
http://www.tvweek.com/topstorys/082503powell.html
DEREG WEB SITE LAUNCHED
Taking a cue from public interest opposition to media ownership
deregulation, FCC supporters have taken to the Web. Americans for Tax Reform
launched a website aimed at drumming up "nay" votes when Congress convenes
to approve a spending bill that would roll back part of the FCC's recent
order. ATR blames "congressional liberals" for the re-regulation efforts,
which they say specifically target conservative news personalities, despite
the fact that the congressional activity has garnered widespread bipartisan
support. The site allows users to contact their legislators directly and
plans to advertise on FoxNews.com, the Drudge Report and other websites.
SOURCE: Broadcasting and Cable
http://www.stopmediaregulation.org
CONSUMER ADVOCATE TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON FCC'S NEW PHONE RULES,
OUTLINE CONSUMERS' ACTION AGENDA
National consumer advocate Dr. Mark Cooper will host a call-in media
briefing to provide an initial analysis of last week's FCC Triennial Review
Order of telecommunications regulation. Cooper will outline the Consumer
Federation of America's plans for a national, state-level, and legal
response to the new rules. "The FCC left the door open to local competition
in voice service, but slammed it shut on broadband competition," Cooper said
in a statement. He will provide feedback about the order's key provisions
and discuss its impact on consumers. The call will take place TOMORROW,
August 26, 2003 at 1:30pm, EST. US participants can dial in toll-free at
1-888-243-0818, PASSCODE 247209. A replay will be available at 4:30 PM ET
between August 26-29; call 1-888-266-2081, PASSCODE 247209.
SOURCE: Consumer Federation of America
For more information, contact Dr. Cooper at 1-301-384-2204 or
mcooper( at )consumerfed.org.
E-GOVERNMENT
UK E-GOVERNMENT PLAN LEAVES 'ESSENTIAL SERVICES' VULNERABLE TO VIRUSES
A parliamentary investigation has sparked fears that flaws in the UK's