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The Sunlight Foundation announced that it received a $2.1 million grant from Google's philanthropic arm, Google.org.
The nonprofit organization said the grant will fund the launch of a two-year project that will help city councils, school boards and other local government entities make more data publicly available online and also increase transparency around their work. The grant will also be used by the watchdog group to disseminate local mini-grants, which Sunlight says it will release more information about in the future. The money will also go toward helping Sunlight craft policy case studies about its open government work. Sunlight received $45,0000 from Google's corporate arm last year, according to its website, as well as donations from Microsoft and Craigslist's charitable fund.
Google.org donates $2.1 million grant to Sunlight Foundation
The Justice Department is refusing to reveal details about how its agents use GPS technology to track suspects.
The American Civil Liberties Union released two internal memos it received from the Justice Department on GPS tracking, but the documents were almost entirely redacted. The ACLU sued to obtain the DOJ documents under the Freedom of Information Act. Aside from a brief background discussion, the memos are entirely blacked out. The Justice Department cited an exemption to the Freedom of Information Act that protects the secrecy of law enforcement practices that, if disclosed, could aid criminals.
Justice Department refuses ACLU request for GPS tracking practices
Federal Communications Commission member Robert McDowell took aim at a proposal to extend the FCC's attribution rules to some television joint sales agreements, saying they increase diversity; called on the FCC to conclude diversity studies that have yet to see the light of day, and suggested the newspaper-TV cross-ownership restrictions limit diversity in the name of preserving it.
Commissioner McDowell said the FCC "must resist calls for limiting, and therefore discouraging, the use of joint sales, shared service, and local news service agreements." He said he has been told by "many broadcasters" that shared arrangements have both directly and indirectly helped women and minority-owned stations to "enter markets and improve programming." Commissioner McDowell called on the FCC to complete court-ordered diversity studies -- a Groundhog Day-like moment since it echoed a call he has made repeatedly. That will allow the FCC to proceed with the six -- of 13 -- diversity initiatives Commissioner McDowell helped adopt in 2007 but were remanded back to the FCC for better justification.
Commissioner McDowell: FCC Must Resist Limiting JSAs Remarks (Commissioner McDowell)
The Supreme Court heard arguments on whether the Federal Communications Commission, or any other regulatory agency, has the authority to determine the limits of its jurisdiction when there is ambiguity in the statute over whether Congress has given it that authority.
Traditionally, under the Chevron doctrine stemming from an earlier Supreme Court decision, courts hearing appeals of agency decisions give deference to agencies' subject matter expertise. But there is an outstanding legal question about whether that should include decisions on whether Congress gave them that authority, or whether a court should consider that question "de novo," -- without that thumb on the scale in favor of the FCC's expertise. At issue is not just the FCC's decision in the case at issue, but the authority generally of regulators to make such jurisdictional calls. That could affect the FCC's determination of its authority in the Open Internet order argue those, including Verizon, challenging that decision.
Supremes Hear FCC's Chevron Defense Supreme Court Hears Argument on the F.C.C.’s Authority to Rule on Cellphone Towers (NYTimes)
Belo's television stations provided free airtime to 135 congressional and gubernatorial candidates across the U.S. during the 2012 election season through the company's "It's Your Time" program.
In addition, Belo said it aired an average of 120 minutes per week of political coverage on each of its 14 news-producing television stations in the six weeks leading up to Election Day. Belo said that from Sept. 23 to Nov. 5, 2012, its stations aired an average of 87 local and national election-related stories each week. The coverage included eight debates. Belo re-broadcast an average of 105 stories weekly on the company's regional and local news channels.
Other highlights of Belo’s election coverage during 2012 included:
- A one-hour Texas Republican U.S. Senate debate which aired on all Belo Texas television stations including WFAA Dallas-Fort Worth, KHOU Houston, KENS San Antonio and KVUE Austin.
- A one-hour Texas U.S. Senate debate hosted by WFAA between Republican and former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz and Democrat and former State Representative Paul Sadler.
- A one-hour Washington state gubernatorial debate hosted by KING Seattle-Tacoma between Democrat and former U.S. Congressman Jay Inslee and Republican Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna
- A one-hour gubernatorial debate hosted by WCNC Charlotte, N.C., between Democrat and former Lieutenant Governor Walter Dalton and Republican and former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory.
Belo Totals Campaign Airtime Contribution
A Dutch court, citing previous decisions in British courts, has ruled that some Samsung Electronics Galaxy tablets do not infringe an Apple design.
The ruling by a district court in The Hague concerned the rounded corners of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 8.9, and Galaxy Tab 7.7. At issue was Apple's registration of a rectangular tablet with rounded corners as a "Community Design," a form of intellectual property right available in the European Union that allows businesses to prevent others from copying the outward appearance of their products. Apple has attempted to assert the design right to prevent sales of Samsung tablets before, with mixed results. In the ruling, the president of the panel of three judges, Peter Blok, wrote: "The Galaxy Tab 7.7, 8.9 and 10.1 of Samsung are not covered by the scope of the community design." This means that Samsung does not infringe on an Apple design right when it manufactures, supplies, markets, imports, exports or uses those products in the Netherlands and the E.U., according to the verdict.
Samsung Galaxy tablets do not infringe Apple design: Dutch court Dutch court: Samsung's Galaxy tablets do not infringe on Apple design right (IDG News Service)
The Sportsman Channel is turning the National Rifle Association's radio show, "Cam & Company," into a live daily talk show. The show, hosted by gun-rights advocate Cam Edwards, was set to begin airing Jan. 15, 2013 and comes as Vice President Joe Biden presented national gun-control proposals to President Barack Obama.
It also coincides with the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade show, known as the SHOT Show, taking place in Las Vegas. The one-hour show will explore the stories, people and places behind the headlines and issues that affect the lifestyle of hunting, shooting and fishing enthusiasts, according to a statement from the NRA. Each show will feature coverage of the day's current events and breaking news plus debate and discussions with guests such as newsmakers, lawmakers, law enforcement, celebrities and athletes.
On Eve of White House Gun Push, NRA Starts a TV Talk Show
Recent mass shootings have prompted one Missouri lawmaker to propose an additional tax on "violent" games, despite those tragedies lacking a proven link to games, the failure of similar measures in other states, and the likely unconstitutionality of such a tax.
Republican State Representative Diane Franklin of rural Camdenton has introduced House Bill 157 that would add a one percent excise tax on the sale of games rated T or above by the ESRB. That wide umbrella would include violence-free games like Guitar Hero and Ultimate Card Games that received a T rating for "suggestive lyrics" and "simulated gambling," respectively. But hey, at least Call of Duty would set someone back an additional 60¢ under the plan. Money raised by the proposed tax would go toward "the treatment of mental health conditions associated with exposure to violent video games," according to the language of the bill. That's a bit odd, because while there is conflicting evidence on whether video games can lead to an increase in loosely defined "aggression" or violent feelings, we're not aware of any studies that link exposure to violent video games to the development of mental health conditions.
Missouri lawmaker latest to propose “violent” games tax
A new global study from Interpublic Group’s McCann-Erickson has found that consumers have conflicting feelings about the impact of technology on their health and wellness.
The digital era provides access to reams of information about how consumers can lead healthier lifestyles and diagnose health problems. But there’s also growing concern that computers and the rise of social networks promote the sedentary lifestyle that leads to obesity, a top health risk. Some consumers do believe Facebook literally is making them fat, per the study, which found that 10% of respondents believe that the social network site is adding to their girth. The numbers increase when all social networking is considered. Globally, 25% of young men and 17% of young women (aged 18-24) worry that their obsession with technology and social networking is encouraging more sedentary living and obesity. But the confusion presents opportunities for brands, per the study, which found that 94% of consumers say brands have a role in supporting their wellness needs. Among the study’s recommendations: brands should sponsor at least one positive habit related to health and wellness. They should also find novel ways to enter the wellness conversation.
Consumers Conflicted About Tech Impact On Health
During multiple military cybersecurity assessments last year of both simulated and real-world missions -- three of which involved units deployed to U.S. Central Command’s area of operations, which includes the Middle East and Afghanistan -- personnel leaked the positions and activities of allies to adversaries, Defense Department officials told Congress this week. The incidents were disclosed as part of an annual report by J. Michael Gilmore, director of operational test and evaluation for Defense. The report assesses the operational effectiveness of systems being developed for combat. This example and other lapses in information security indicate Defense “has not yet developed sufficiently advanced cyber defensive tactics to counter advanced adversary tactics,” he said.
Military Cyber Assault Testing Yields Real-Life Data Leaks, report Says