For upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org/calendar.htm
MEDIA & POLITICS
Disney Takes Heat on Blocking Bush Film
INDECENCY
Some CBS Affiliates Could Drop Live News
Concerned Women Launch Buffet-Cable Push
COMPETITION
SBC Dispute Undermines Move Toward Local Phone Competition
BROADBAND
FCC's Wireless Broadband Access Task Force
MEDIA & POLITICS
DISNEY TAKES HEAT ON BLOCKING BUSH FILM
The Disney-Michael Moore controversy heated up Wednesday as Mr. Moore
appeared on a number of TV shows and Sen Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) called for
hearings into "the pattern of politically based corporate censorship of the
news media and the entertainment industry." Mr. Moore may be using the
attention the controversy has gained to help find a new distributor for the
film and, ultimately, bigger audiences. Disney executives said it was made
clear to Miramax last May, when it became the principal investor in the
film, that Disney would not let it be the distributor.
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Jim Rutenberg & Laura Holson]
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/06/national/06FILM.html
(requires registration)
The NYTimes also is running an editorial on the subject this morning. In
"Disney's Craven Behavior," the paper accuses Disney of cowardice. The
company should be a champion of free expression and "acceptable political
commentary," but its actions "underscore the dangers of allowing huge
conglomerates to gobble up diverse media companies." The editorial
concludes: it is clear that Disney loves its bottom line more than the
freedom of political discourse.
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Editorial Staff]
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/06/opinion/06THU4.html
(requires registration)
INDECENCY
SOME CBS AFFILIATES COULD DROP LIVE NEWS
CBS affiliate stations are warning the FCC that the indecency crackdown
will "fundamentally alter the manner in which local broadcasters engage in
newsgathering." The stations are telling the Commission that unless it
changes its ruling about profanities on-air, many will have to stop doing
news outside of the 10 p.m.-6 a.m. safe harbor for indecent speech. "Live
newsgathering outside of the safe harbor will be a risk that many licensees
can't take," the affiliates wrote the FCC. Public television stations have
already begun to self-censor, they wrote in a separate FCC filing. stations
have deleted language from "Prime Suspect" on Masterpiece Theater and even
had to consider whether to edit our a nude lithograph from Antiques
Roadshow, even though the show had aired months before with no complaint.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA415396?display=Breaking+News
(requires subscription)
See Also:
PROFANITY RULES BOTHER NEWS SHOWS
"We'd like the commission to evaluate whether there's a difference in
scripted entertainment programming in which it's possible to know what is
about to happen versus coverage of, let's say, fires in Southern
California," Bob Lee, chairman of the CBS Television Network Affiliates
Assn., said Wednesday. "Do you want to shoot the messenger when news media
might be there as observers and participants in the story?"
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR:Lynn Smith]
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-news6may06,1,4620076....
CONCERNED WOMEN LAUNCH BUFFET-CABLE PUSH
Concerned Women For America (CWA) kicked off its pro-a la carte pricing
campaign with release of a survey finding that 80% of respondents are in
favor of paying for only the cable and network channels they want.
Representatives from CWA were joined at a press conference by Sen John
McCain (R-AZ) and Rep Nathan Deal (R-GA).
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA415486?display=Breaking+News
(requires subscription)
The National Cable & Telecommunications Association responded to recent
pressure for a la carte pricing with a white paper -- The Pitfalls of A La
Carte: Fewer Choices, Less Diversity, Higher Prices -- which claims a la
carte would harm consumers by reducing choice and driving up prices.
http://www.ncta.com/press/press.cfm?PRid=495&showArticles=ok
Also an a la carte amendment to the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act
proposed by Rep Deal could be blocked by House rules. Rep Deal will have
to demonstrate that cable a la carte provisions could be attached to
satellite legislation without running afoul of germaneness requirements.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA415474?display=Breaking+News
COMPETITION
SBC DISPUTE UNDERMINES MOVE TOWARD LOCAL PHONE COMPETITION
In negotiations to lease parts of its local network to a competitor, phone
giant SBC proposed that Talk America, a small company that sells bundled
local and long-distance services, send 90% or more of its phone traffic to
SBC's network instead of using its own equipment and not enter similar
agreements with rival phone networks. Jim Ellis, SBC general counsel,
defended SBC's strong demands from those seeking access. "If you want the
best price, then that involves duration and volume commitments," he said.
Although Talk American has a nondisclosure agreement with SBC, the company
appears to have shared documents with FCC Commissioner Kevin Martin.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Anne Marie
Squeo annemarie.squeo( at )wsj.com]
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB108379454957103153,00.html?mod=todays...
(requires subscription)
BROADBAND
FCC'S WIRELESS BROADBAND ACCESS TASK FORCE
Wireless broadband platforms are an increasingly popular alternative for
business and residential consumers. In light of the continuing development
of the market for wireless broadband services, FCC Chairman Michael Powell
has formed a Wireless Broadband Access Task Force, whose objective is to
review applicable spectrum management policies and regulations. The Task
Force will reach out to all relevant stakeholders and develop
recommendations that will further the deployment of wireless Internet
service providers (WISPs). This Task Force will review current policies to
identify whether any changes can further facilitate WISP growth. To assist
with its review, the Task Force will also actively solicit public input in
numerous ways, including seeking comment on the questions posed in the
Public Notice linked below and conducting various outreach activities. The
Task Force is asking for comment on 12 questions related to broadband
services. Comments are due June 3, reply comments July 1. The Task Force
will also conduct and participate in multiple outreach activities to obtain
input regarding current wireless broadband policies from May 2004 to August
2004. A Wireless Broadband Forum is scheduled for May 19, 2004.
The Task Force homepage is http://www.fcc.gov/wbatf/
[SOURCE: FCC]
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-1266A1.doc
Statement by Chairman Powell
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-246852A1.doc
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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. Headlines are compiled by
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