Benton RSS Feed

February 15, 2007
Coverage Type 
Lauren Frayer

KAISER HAS ACHES, PAINS GOING DIGITAL
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Daniel Costello]
Kaiser Permanente's $4-billion effort to computerize the medical records of its 8.6 million members has encountered repeated technical problems, leading to potentially dangerous incidents such as patients listed in the wrong beds. At times, doctors and medical staff at the nation's largest nonprofit health maintenance organization haven't had access to crucial patient information, and system outages have led to delays in emergency room care. Other problems have included malfunctioning bedside scanners meant to ensure that patients receive the correct medication. The HMO's problems come as it plans to expand the computerized system over the next two years to nearly three dozen more hospitals — most in California — where the sickest patients are treated and ensuring patient safety is most difficult. Kaiser's effort, one of the largest and most ambitious electronic medical records projects in the country, is seen as a possible national model. With evidence suggesting that digitized recordkeeping can lower health costs and save lives, President Bush is pushing for every American to have an electronic medical record by 2014. But the glitches illustrate the difficulties a massive healthcare provider might encounter trying to implement a complex computerized system.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-fi-kaiser15feb15,1,501...
(requires registration)

Kaiser has aches, pains going digital

Topics

Related Headlines

February 15, 2007
Coverage Type 
Lauren Frayer

THE GLOBAL VILLAGE AND THE MADNESS OF THE E-CROWDS
[SOURCE: Financial Times, AUTHOR: Thomas W. Hazlett]
[Commenary] Today’s buzz is You, whom Time Magazine honored as “Person of the Year” for igniting “community and collaboration on a scale never seen before.” Your blog entries and social networking posts rock. Meanwhile, you’re revolutionizing Information Technology markets with far-flung innovations in open-source hardware and software. Soon governments will tumble and the meek shall inherit every entry in Wikipedia, A-Z. Overhype about the emerging markets is good clean fun when confined to mindless text-messaging. There is an undeniable “wow” factor. But there is also a madness to the e-crowd. Whenever a trend is spotted that captures the fancy of the zeitgeist, it is formulated as a linear trajectory, and shot into orbit. All cross traffic is banned. Call it “asymmetric triumphalism.” Yes, the dramatic lowering of distribution costs allows information to travel on a budget. That is an oomph for markets, and perhaps a double-oomph for democracy. But there’s more. Never have so many, owed so much, for so few user names and passwords. Our buzz-colored shades block out key drivers of innovation. Take wireless. While 2.5bn people were subscribing to mobile networks, the tech spotlight was on … WiFi. While a handy way to make a DSL connection cordless, the disruptive technology claims ­ that the exclusive rights used for wide area cellular networks were now eclipsed by unlicensed spectrum governed by power limits and regulatory standards ­ were wrong. Not many folks dropping their mobile subscription to talk from their “hotspot.” Yet US regulators, focusing on the WiFi “commons,” let most of a decade slip away before auctioning 3G licenses in 2006. Not only did this stunt the growth of wireless networks, it now sets the stage for vast bandwidth to be wasted in the TV Band. There policymakers are pushing to expand unlicensed spectrum allocations, when the evidence is compelling that opportunity costs far outweigh benefits. The point is not that “closed” beats “open,” but that capitalism accommodates both. Rules need not be changed to embrace the revolution. Markets thrust revolutions upon us, boldly and magnificently, far more often than we care to remember.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/ee544356-b522-11db-a5a5-0000779e2340.html
(requires subscription)

The global village and the madness of e-crowds

Topics

Related Headlines

Benton's Communications-related Headlines For Thursday February 15, 2007

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.
For upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org

TELEVISION
Violence =3D Indecency, FCC to Tell Congress
Dingell Applauds Industry=92s DTV Moves
Sinclair Eyes $48M in Retrans Fees
Rep. Markey Seeks Carriage Of Public TV Signals Via Satellite
Commitment to Change Needed Before Helping PBS
Qwest Backs State Franchise Bill

INTERNET/BROADBAND
FTC urged to boost Internet oversight
EarthLink is selected as Houston's WiFi provider
SF Board delays vote on free Wi-Fi
EFF takes Viacom to task over YouTube takedown
Is that really what your email meant to say?

MEDIA & ELECTIONS
Googlection 2008
Al Franken Enters Minnesota Senate Race=20=09
Senator wants to ban 'deceptive' video game ratings

JOURNALISM
Red All Over

HEALTH & MEDIA
Kaiser has aches, pains going digital

SPECTRUM
The global village and the madness of e-crowds

TELEVISION

VIOLENCE =3D INDECENCY, FCC TO TELL CONGRESS
[SOURCE: tvnewsday, AUTHOR: Kim McAvoy]
According to industry and FCC sources, the agency=20
will soon issue a report concluding a two-year=20
inquiry into TV violence and what to do about it.=20
Apparently the findings are that the FCC should=20
be able to regulate violence just as it does=20
indecency and asks that Congress mandate =93other=20
forms of consumer choice=94 for cable subscribers=97a=20
la carte programming menus, family tiers and=20
channel blocking. The report finds "strong=20
evidence" that TV violence is harmful and a=20
correlation between TV violence and aggressive=20
behavior in children. Despite large First=20
Amendment obstacles, the FCC report contends that=20
Congress has =93the ability and authority=94 to craft=20
a sustainable regulatory regime for TV violence.=20
The report has bipartisan support at the FCC.=20
Republican Chairman Kevin Martin and Democratic=20
Commissioner Michael Copps are said to be working=20
closely in drafting the report. A likely third=20
vote -- all that is necessary at the five-person=20
Commission -- is Republican Deborah Taylor Tate,=20
a vocal proponent of cleaning up the airwaves. It=20
is unclear where Commissioners Robert McDowell=20
and Jonathan Adelstein stand, whether they will=20
want to go as far as their peers in trying to curb TV violence.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/02/14/daily.2/

DINGELL APPLAUDS INDUSTRY'S DTV MOVES
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
The cable, broadcasting and=20
equipment-manufacturing industries united=20
Wednesday behind a digital-TV consumer-education=20
campaign that won quick praise from House Energy=20
and Commerce Committee chairman John Dingell=20
(D-MI). The three industries promised to use=20
various communications strategies to inform=20
consumers about maintaining TV service when=20
analog-TV signals are terminated by law Feb. 17,=20
2009. Backing the consumer campaign were the=20
National Cable & Telecommunications Association,=20
the National Association of Broadcasters and the=20
Consumer Electronics Association. The presidents=20
of all three groups -- the NCTA=92s Kyle McSlarrow,=20
the NAB=92s David Rehr and the CEA=92s Gary Shapiro=20
-- sent a joint letter to Dingell and other=20
congressional leaders in telecommunications=20
policy Wednesday about their commitment to a=20
fully informed public leading up to the analog=20
cutoff. "Our goal is to ensure that no American=20
loses the ability to view over-the-air television=20
signals due to a lack of accurate information=20
about the transition," the trade groups=92 letter said.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6416632.html?display=3DBreaking+News

SINCLAIR EYES $48 MILLION IN RETRANS FEES
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Linda Moss]
Sinclair Broadcast Group, on the heels of its=20
bitter battle with Mediacom Communications, this=20
year expects to generate nearly $48 million from=20
retransmission-consent agreements, nearly double=20
last year=92s figure, officials said Wednesday. The=20
expected $48 million will represent almost a 90%=20
increase from the $25.4 million in=20
retransmission-consent revenue that the=20
broadcaster secured in 2006, Sinclair officials=20
said during a conference call on fourth-quarter=20
results. Sinclair CEO David Smith urged his=20
fellow broadcasters to continue the quest for cash from cable companies.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6416344.html?display=3DBreaking+News

REP MARKEY SEEKS CARRIAGE OF PUBLIC TV SIGNALS VIA SATELLITE
[SOURCE: Technology Daily 2/13, AUTHOR: David Hatch]
House Telecom Subcommittee Chairman Ed markey=20
(D-MA), one of the strongest congressional=20
proponents of public television, on Tuesday=20
urged DirecTV and EchoStar Communications to=20
carry the multiple signals that public TV=20
stations will offer after converting to digital.=20
Neither company has committed to carrying the=20
channels, but major cable operators have agreed=20
do so. "There's no greater, higher priority than=20
protecting public broadcasting," said Rep Markey.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-ZLIL1171483507659.html

COMMITMENT TO CHANGE NEEDED BEFORE HELPING PBS
[SOURCE: Digital Destiny, AUTHOR: Jeff Chester]
[Commentary] Groups such as Moveon.org and others=20
have rightly responded to the proposed Bush=20
Administration budget slash to the Corporation=20
for Public Broadcasting. While reversing the cuts=20
is necessary, it is too early to support any=20
permanent funding plan. More money won't cure=20
PBS=92s problems. It will just enable the network=20
to display higher-priced collectibles on Antiques=20
Roadshow. The system needs to be restructured so=20
the public interest is better guaranteed via a=20
truly non-commercial approach. We also must think=20
beyond today=92s PBS and NPR to ensure there will=20
be funding to support a much more expansive and=20
diverse non-commercial digital environment.
http://www.democraticmedia.org/jcblog/?p=3D173

QWEST BACKS STATE FRANCHISE BILL
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Linda Haugsted]
Just days after a Qwest Communications-backed=20
bill failed to escape committee in Colorado, a=20
similar bill to reform cable franchising surfaced=20
in Washington state, also backed by the telco.=20
The bill, introduced Tuesday by state Sen. Erik=20
Poulsen (D-Seattle), would strip local=20
authorities of their cable-franchising authority=20
and place that task in the hands of the state=20
Utilities and Transportation Commission. That=20
agency would have 30 calendar days to approve a=20
statewide franchise for a new provider. Incumbent=20
operators would be bound to the terms of their=20
local agreements until their stated expiration=20
dates. New providers would have to reserve space=20
for public, educational and government channels=20
and pay support for those channel equivalent to=20
that paid by incumbents. The content would be the=20
responsibility of the local governments. The bill=20
specifically excludes build-out demands by local=20
governments -- a point seized on by the Broadband=20
Communications Association of Washington. Current=20
rules, in place for 40 years, guarantee quality=20
service to all consumers, not just those in=20
affluent neighborhoods, the association said. It=20
has already rounded up bill opponents from among=20
the state=92s mayors and from organizations such as the Urban League.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6416372.html?display=3DBreaking+News

INTERNET/BROADBAND

FTC URGED TO BOOST INTERNET OVERSIGHT
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: Christopher Rugaber]
Consumer advocates on Tuesday said federal=20
regulators need to increase oversight of=20
telephone and cable companies that offer Internet=20
access to ensure they aren't discriminating=20
against certain providers of video and other Web=20
content. Gigi B. Sohn, president of Public=20
Knowledge, a nonprofit group that focuses on=20
communications law, said the Federal Trade=20
Commission should also require more disclosure=20
from telephone and cable companies about the=20
Internet access speeds they promise to deliver to=20
consumers. Sohn spoke on the first of a two-day=20
workshop convened by the FTC to discuss "network=20
neutrality" issues. The phrase is shorthand for=20
the concept that all online traffic should be=20
treated equally by Internet service providers.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8N93O980.htm

EARTHLINK IS SELECTED AS HOUSTON'S WIFI PROVIDER
[SOURCE: Houston Chronicle, AUTHOR: Alexis Grant & Matt Stiles]
Houston has chosen Atlanta-based EarthLink=20
Municipal Networks to provide a citywide,=20
wireless Internet network within the next two=20
years. While the agreement with EarthLink still=20
needs City Council approval, its terms put=20
Houston in line to have the largest such network=20
in North America, covering nearly all of the=20
city's 600 square miles by spring of 2009, White=20
told the Chronicle. Some low-income residents=20
could get subsidized access for as little as $10=20
a month, and most customers would pay less than=20
they do now. After announcing Tuesday that=20
Internet service provider EarthLink has been=20
selected to build the city's wireless network,=20
Mayor Bill White wasted no time moving toward the=20
next step -- City Council approval.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4552151.html
* No lags in city's plan to go wireless
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4552151.html

SF BOARD DELAYS VOTE ON FREE WI-FI
[SOURCE: San Francisco Chronicle, AUTHOR: Heather Knight]
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors opted=20
Tuesday to delay a key vote on free, citywide=20
Internet access -- signaling what could be a=20
long, drawn-out battle over the issue to come.=20
Mayor Gavin Newsom proposed a free Wi-Fi system=20
two years ago, and his administration last month=20
revealed the outlines of a proposed contract=20
between the city and EarthLink and Google.=20
According to the contract, EarthLink would pay=20
the city $2 million over four years for the right=20
to build, own and maintain the network. Google=20
would provide free Internet access, while=20
EarthLink would offer a faster service that could=20
be accessed for a $22 monthly fee. The terms of=20
the deal haven't sat well with some members of=20
the Board of Supervisors who say it's not good=20
enough for the city. Board Budget Analyst Harvey=20
Rose has said the city could run its own Wi-Fi=20
system or contract with a nonprofit Internet=20
provider -- but left the merits of such a decision to the supervisors.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=3D/c/a/2007/02/14/BAGUGO4A0C1.DT...
mp;amp;type=3Dpolitics

EFF TAKES VIACOM TO TASK OVER YOUTUBE TAKEDOWN
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Greg Sandoval]
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is=20
encouraging those wrongly accused of posting=20
pirated Viacom material on YouTube to stand up to=20
the giant conglomerate--even if it means a court=20
fight. Two weeks ago, when Viacom demanded that=20
YouTube remove 100,000 videos featuring=20
unauthorized clips of its films or TV shows, some=20
innocent users got caught up in the sweep, said=20
EFF, an advocate for the rights of Internet=20
users. In a video posted to YouTube last week,=20
EFF said it wanted to hear from anyone who may=20
have been unfairly blamed. EFF compared Viacom's=20
actions to fishermen who cast a wide net and=20
mistakenly trap a porpoise. The group suggested=20
in a note on its Web site that some of those=20
accused of copyright violations may need legal help.
http://news.com.com/EFF+takes+Viacom+to+task+over+YouTube+takedown/2100-...
6_3-6159548.html?tag=3Dnefd.lede

IS THAT REALLY WHAT YOUR EMAIL MEANT TO SAY?
[SOURCE: Reuters]
You know, some people have a way with e-mail and=20
some people not have way... Billions of emails=20
are sent around the globe each day but are their=20
true meanings getting across? Maybe not. Although=20
emails are quick and easy to send, their lack of=20
facial cues, body language and emotional feedback=20
mean they can be easily misinterpreted. Kristin=20
Byron, of the Whitman School of Management at=20
Syracuse University in New York, believes that=20
many email users could be sending and getting=20
mixed messages in emails. "A first step toward=20
improving accuracy in emails is to recognize the=20
possibility that we are fallible as both email=20
senders and receivers," said Byron who is an=20
assistant professor of management at the university.
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSL1451809620070214

MEDIA & ELECTIONS

GOOGLECTION 2008
[SOURCE: techPresident, AUTHOR: Michael Bassik]
[Commentary] As more and more candidates declare=20
their intention to run for president in 2008,=20
more and more Americans will turn to search=20
engines like Google and Yahoo! to find their=20
websites. So, at a minimum, I expected all 17 of=20
the presumed candidates to have purchased=20
keywords on Google and Yahoo!. For between $.10=20
and $.25 per click, candidates can make sure=20
they=92re directing traffic from potential=20
supporters to the proper website. To my surprise,=20
only six of the 17 presumed candidates have=20
purchased keywords on search engines. And if you=20
take a closer look, it=92s the Republicans who are=20
doing a significantly better job of using search=20
to communicate with the electorate. That said, no=20
candidate seems to be using search to reach=20
voters searching for information on specific=20
issues. For example, no candidate website appears=20
in the top results when searching for terms like=20
=93global warming=94 or =93war in Iraq=94 or =93energy=20
independence.=94 It=92s time all candidates=20
recognize the power of search to drive=20
highly-targeted traffic to their fledgling websites.
http://www.techpresident.com/node/42

AL FRANKEN ENTERS MINNESOTA SENATE RACE
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: Patrick Condon]
Al Franken announced Wednesday that he will run=20
for the Senate in 2008, making it clear that the=20
radio host, comedian and author of "Rush Limbaugh=20
Is A Big Fat Idiot" wants to be taken seriously=20
as a political figure. Franken's announcement=20
came on the final day of his show on the liberal=20
radio network Air America. His decision instantly=20
makes him a serious contender and brings national attention to the race.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SENATE_FRANKEN?SITE=3DRIPAW&SECTION=
=3DHOME&TEMPLATE=3DDEFAULT
* No Joke, Al Franken Is Running for Senate
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/14/AR200702...
1599.html

SENATOR WANTS TO BAN 'DECEPTIVE' VIDEO GAME RATINGS
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Anne Broache]
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) on Tuesday=20
reintroduced the Truth in Video Game Rating Act,=20
first proposed last September. It calls for=20
requiring video game rating organizations to play=20
all games "in their entirety" before issuing=20
labels and prohibiting game developers from=20
withholding any "hidden" game content from=20
raters. It would also punish ratings groups that=20
"grossly mischaracterize" any game's content.
http://news.com.com/Senator+wants+to+ban+deceptive+video+game+ratings/21...
1028_3-6159413.html?tag=3Dnefd.top

JOURNALISM

RED ALL OVER
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Steven Rattner]
[Commentary] Newspapers face more complex, deeper=20
and considerably more intractable challenges than=20
these theories suggest. The time that Americans=20
spend reading newspapers has been dropping=20
steadily (now down to 15 hours a month), with=20
scant evidence that quality Internet time is=20
taking its place. In September, the average=20
visitor to newspaper Web sites spent only 41.5=20
minutes per month on those sites, up 10% from the=20
previous year but not nearly enough to make up=20
the loss. And while the use of newspaper Web=20
sites is growing, the vast preponderance of=20
Americans get their online news through the big=20
portals (AOL, Yahoo, etc.), which means that they=20
are mostly consuming a bland porridge of wire=20
service stories. Most fundamental is whether the=20
public is still interested in news (as opposed to=20
entertainment, gossip or lifestyle info). More=20
than fearing the death of newspapers -- they will=20
struggle on -- we ought to fear what changing=20
reading and viewing habits are forcing newspapers=20
to think of as news. We shouldn't fault the=20
papers for this, however, any more than we should=20
fault the evening news for going soft or the=20
newsweeklies for their endless lifestyle covers=20
or CNN for its hyperventilating over every=20
weather blip. They're merely providing what their=20
customers are demanding. We can't expect the=20
objectives of enterprises that were organized=20
around a for-profit interest to necessarily=20
intersect with the societal value of quality=20
journalism. So perhaps it's time to think about=20
new models for the news business. Not-for-profit=20
status might be one possibility. Instead of=20
having billionaire moguls as proprietors, we=20
could try to turn them into philanthropists who=20
found nonprofit organizations to buy and operate their local papers.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117150996245409526.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
nion
(requires subscription)

HEALTH & MEDIA

KAISER HAS ACHES, PAINS GOING DIGITAL
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Daniel Costello]
Kaiser Permanente's $4-billion effort to=20
computerize the medical records of its 8.6=20
million members has encountered repeated=20
technical problems, leading to potentially=20
dangerous incidents such as patients listed in=20
the wrong beds. At times, doctors and medical=20
staff at the nation's largest nonprofit health=20
maintenance organization haven't had access to=20
crucial patient information, and system outages=20
have led to delays in emergency room care. Other=20
problems have included malfunctioning bedside=20
scanners meant to ensure that patients receive=20
the correct medication. The HMO's problems come=20
as it plans to expand the computerized system=20
over the next two years to nearly three dozen=20
more hospitals =97 most in California =97 where the=20
sickest patients are treated and ensuring patient=20
safety is most difficult. Kaiser's effort, one of=20
the largest and most ambitious electronic medical=20
records projects in the country, is seen as a=20
possible national model. With evidence suggesting=20
that digitized recordkeeping can lower health=20
costs and save lives, President Bush is pushing=20
for every American to have an electronic medical=20
record by 2014. But the glitches illustrate the=20
difficulties a massive healthcare provider might=20
encounter trying to implement a complex computerized system.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-fi-kaiser15feb15,1,501...
6.story?coll=3Dla-headlines-frontpage
(requires registration)

SPECTRUM

THE GLOBAL VILLAGE AND THE MADNESS OF THE E-CROWDS
[SOURCE: Financial Times, AUTHOR: Thomas W. Hazlett]
[Commenary] Today=92s buzz is You, whom Time=20
Magazine honored as =93Person of the Year=94 for=20
igniting =93community and collaboration on a scale=20
never seen before.=94 Your blog entries and social=20
networking posts rock. Meanwhile, you=92re=20
revolutionizing Information Technology markets=20
with far-flung innovations in open-source=20
hardware and software. Soon governments will=20
tumble and the meek shall inherit every entry in=20
Wikipedia, A-Z. Overhype about the emerging=20
markets is good clean fun when confined to=20
mindless text-messaging. There is an undeniable=20
=93wow=94 factor. But there is also a madness to the=20
e-crowd. Whenever a trend is spotted that=20
captures the fancy of the zeitgeist, it is=20
formulated as a linear trajectory, and shot into=20
orbit. All cross traffic is banned. Call it=20
=93asymmetric triumphalism.=94 Yes, the dramatic=20
lowering of distribution costs allows information=20
to travel on a budget. That is an oomph for=20
markets, and perhaps a double-oomph for=20
democracy. But there=92s more. Never have so many,=20
owed so much, for so few user names and=20
passwords. Our buzz-colored shades block out key=20
drivers of innovation. Take wireless. While 2.5bn=20
people were subscribing to mobile networks, the=20
tech spotlight was on =85 WiFi. While a handy way=20
to make a DSL connection cordless, the disruptive=20
technology claims =96 that the exclusive rights=20
used for wide area cellular networks were now=20
eclipsed by unlicensed spectrum governed by power=20
limits and regulatory standards =96 were wrong. Not=20
many folks dropping their mobile subscription to=20
talk from their =93hotspot.=94 Yet US regulators,=20
focusing on the WiFi =93commons,=94 let most of a=20
decade slip away before auctioning 3G licenses in=20
2006. Not only did this stunt the growth of=20
wireless networks, it now sets the stage for vast=20
bandwidth to be wasted in the TV Band. There=20
policymakers are pushing to expand unlicensed=20
spectrum allocations, when the evidence is=20
compelling that opportunity costs far outweigh=20
benefits. The point is not that =93closed=94 beats=20
=93open,=94 but that capitalism accommodates both.=20
Rules need not be changed to embrace the=20
revolution. Markets thrust revolutions upon us,=20
boldly and magnificently, far more often than we care to remember.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/ee544356-b522-11db-a5a5-0000779e2340.html
(requires subscription)
--------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Benton's Communications-related Headlines For Thursday February 15, 2007

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.
For upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org

TELEVISION
Violence =3D Indecency, FCC to Tell Congress
Dingell Applauds Industry=92s DTV Moves
Sinclair Eyes $48M in Retrans Fees
Rep. Markey Seeks Carriage Of Public TV Signals Via Satellite
Commitment to Change Needed Before Helping PBS
Qwest Backs State Franchise Bill

INTERNET/BROADBAND
FTC urged to boost Internet oversight
EarthLink is selected as Houston's WiFi provider
SF Board delays vote on free Wi-Fi
EFF takes Viacom to task over YouTube takedown
Is that really what your email meant to say?

MEDIA & ELECTIONS
Googlection 2008
Al Franken Enters Minnesota Senate Race=20=09
Senator wants to ban 'deceptive' video game ratings

JOURNALISM
Red All Over

HEALTH & MEDIA
Kaiser has aches, pains going digital

SPECTRUM
The global village and the madness of e-crowds

TELEVISION

VIOLENCE =3D INDECENCY, FCC TO TELL CONGRESS
[SOURCE: tvnewsday, AUTHOR: Kim McAvoy]
According to industry and FCC sources, the agency=20
will soon issue a report concluding a two-year=20
inquiry into TV violence and what to do about it.=20
Apparently the findings are that the FCC should=20
be able to regulate violence just as it does=20
indecency and asks that Congress mandate =93other=20
forms of consumer choice=94 for cable subscribers=97a=20
la carte programming menus, family tiers and=20
channel blocking. The report finds "strong=20
evidence" that TV violence is harmful and a=20
correlation between TV violence and aggressive=20
behavior in children. Despite large First=20
Amendment obstacles, the FCC report contends that=20
Congress has =93the ability and authority=94 to craft=20
a sustainable regulatory regime for TV violence.=20
The report has bipartisan support at the FCC.=20
Republican Chairman Kevin Martin and Democratic=20
Commissioner Michael Copps are said to be working=20
closely in drafting the report. A likely third=20
vote -- all that is necessary at the five-person=20
Commission -- is Republican Deborah Taylor Tate,=20
a vocal proponent of cleaning up the airwaves. It=20
is unclear where Commissioners Robert McDowell=20
and Jonathan Adelstein stand, whether they will=20
want to go as far as their peers in trying to curb TV violence.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/02/14/daily.2/

DINGELL APPLAUDS INDUSTRY'S DTV MOVES
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
The cable, broadcasting and=20
equipment-manufacturing industries united=20
Wednesday behind a digital-TV consumer-education=20
campaign that won quick praise from House Energy=20
and Commerce Committee chairman John Dingell=20
(D-MI). The three industries promised to use=20
various communications strategies to inform=20
consumers about maintaining TV service when=20
analog-TV signals are terminated by law Feb. 17,=20
2009. Backing the consumer campaign were the=20
National Cable & Telecommunications Association,=20
the National Association of Broadcasters and the=20
Consumer Electronics Association. The presidents=20
of all three groups -- the NCTA=92s Kyle McSlarrow,=20
the NAB=92s David Rehr and the CEA=92s Gary Shapiro=20
-- sent a joint letter to Dingell and other=20
congressional leaders in telecommunications=20
policy Wednesday about their commitment to a=20
fully informed public leading up to the analog=20
cutoff. "Our goal is to ensure that no American=20
loses the ability to view over-the-air television=20
signals due to a lack of accurate information=20
about the transition," the trade groups=92 letter said.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6416632.html?display=3DBreaking+News

SINCLAIR EYES $48 MILLION IN RETRANS FEES
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Linda Moss]
Sinclair Broadcast Group, on the heels of its=20
bitter battle with Mediacom Communications, this=20
year expects to generate nearly $48 million from=20
retransmission-consent agreements, nearly double=20
last year=92s figure, officials said Wednesday. The=20
expected $48 million will represent almost a 90%=20
increase from the $25.4 million in=20
retransmission-consent revenue that the=20
broadcaster secured in 2006, Sinclair officials=20
said during a conference call on fourth-quarter=20
results. Sinclair CEO David Smith urged his=20
fellow broadcasters to continue the quest for cash from cable companies.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6416344.html?display=3DBreaking+News

REP MARKEY SEEKS CARRIAGE OF PUBLIC TV SIGNALS VIA SATELLITE
[SOURCE: Technology Daily 2/13, AUTHOR: David Hatch]
House Telecom Subcommittee Chairman Ed markey=20
(D-MA), one of the strongest congressional=20
proponents of public television, on Tuesday=20
urged DirecTV and EchoStar Communications to=20
carry the multiple signals that public TV=20
stations will offer after converting to digital.=20
Neither company has committed to carrying the=20
channels, but major cable operators have agreed=20
do so. "There's no greater, higher priority than=20
protecting public broadcasting," said Rep Markey.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-ZLIL1171483507659.html

COMMITMENT TO CHANGE NEEDED BEFORE HELPING PBS
[SOURCE: Digital Destiny, AUTHOR: Jeff Chester]
[Commentary] Groups such as Moveon.org and others=20
have rightly responded to the proposed Bush=20
Administration budget slash to the Corporation=20
for Public Broadcasting. While reversing the cuts=20
is necessary, it is too early to support any=20
permanent funding plan. More money won't cure=20
PBS=92s problems. It will just enable the network=20
to display higher-priced collectibles on Antiques=20
Roadshow. The system needs to be restructured so=20
the public interest is better guaranteed via a=20
truly non-commercial approach. We also must think=20
beyond today=92s PBS and NPR to ensure there will=20
be funding to support a much more expansive and=20
diverse non-commercial digital environment.
http://www.democraticmedia.org/jcblog/?p=3D173

QWEST BACKS STATE FRANCHISE BILL
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Linda Haugsted]
Just days after a Qwest Communications-backed=20
bill failed to escape committee in Colorado, a=20
similar bill to reform cable franchising surfaced=20
in Washington state, also backed by the telco.=20
The bill, introduced Tuesday by state Sen. Erik=20
Poulsen (D-Seattle), would strip local=20
authorities of their cable-franchising authority=20
and place that task in the hands of the state=20
Utilities and Transportation Commission. That=20
agency would have 30 calendar days to approve a=20
statewide franchise for a new provider. Incumbent=20
operators would be bound to the terms of their=20
local agreements until their stated expiration=20
dates. New providers would have to reserve space=20
for public, educational and government channels=20
and pay support for those channel equivalent to=20
that paid by incumbents. The content would be the=20
responsibility of the local governments. The bill=20
specifically excludes build-out demands by local=20
governments -- a point seized on by the Broadband=20
Communications Association of Washington. Current=20
rules, in place for 40 years, guarantee quality=20
service to all consumers, not just those in=20
affluent neighborhoods, the association said. It=20
has already rounded up bill opponents from among=20
the state=92s mayors and from organizations such as the Urban League.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6416372.html?display=3DBreaking+News

INTERNET/BROADBAND

FTC URGED TO BOOST INTERNET OVERSIGHT
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: Christopher Rugaber]
Consumer advocates on Tuesday said federal=20
regulators need to increase oversight of=20
telephone and cable companies that offer Internet=20
access to ensure they aren't discriminating=20
against certain providers of video and other Web=20
content. Gigi B. Sohn, president of Public=20
Knowledge, a nonprofit group that focuses on=20
communications law, said the Federal Trade=20
Commission should also require more disclosure=20
from telephone and cable companies about the=20
Internet access speeds they promise to deliver to=20
consumers. Sohn spoke on the first of a two-day=20
workshop convened by the FTC to discuss "network=20
neutrality" issues. The phrase is shorthand for=20
the concept that all online traffic should be=20
treated equally by Internet service providers.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8N93O980.htm

EARTHLINK IS SELECTED AS HOUSTON'S WIFI PROVIDER
[SOURCE: Houston Chronicle, AUTHOR: Alexis Grant & Matt Stiles]
Houston has chosen Atlanta-based EarthLink=20
Municipal Networks to provide a citywide,=20
wireless Internet network within the next two=20
years. While the agreement with EarthLink still=20
needs City Council approval, its terms put=20
Houston in line to have the largest such network=20
in North America, covering nearly all of the=20
city's 600 square miles by spring of 2009, White=20
told the Chronicle. Some low-income residents=20
could get subsidized access for as little as $10=20
a month, and most customers would pay less than=20
they do now. After announcing Tuesday that=20
Internet service provider EarthLink has been=20
selected to build the city's wireless network,=20
Mayor Bill White wasted no time moving toward the=20
next step -- City Council approval.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4552151.html
* No lags in city's plan to go wireless
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4552151.html

SF BOARD DELAYS VOTE ON FREE WI-FI
[SOURCE: San Francisco Chronicle, AUTHOR: Heather Knight]
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors opted=20
Tuesday to delay a key vote on free, citywide=20
Internet access -- signaling what could be a=20
long, drawn-out battle over the issue to come.=20
Mayor Gavin Newsom proposed a free Wi-Fi system=20
two years ago, and his administration last month=20
revealed the outlines of a proposed contract=20
between the city and EarthLink and Google.=20
According to the contract, EarthLink would pay=20
the city $2 million over four years for the right=20
to build, own and maintain the network. Google=20
would provide free Internet access, while=20
EarthLink would offer a faster service that could=20
be accessed for a $22 monthly fee. The terms of=20
the deal haven't sat well with some members of=20
the Board of Supervisors who say it's not good=20
enough for the city. Board Budget Analyst Harvey=20
Rose has said the city could run its own Wi-Fi=20
system or contract with a nonprofit Internet=20
provider -- but left the merits of such a decision to the supervisors.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=3D/c/a/2007/02/14/BAGUGO4A0C1.DT...
mp;amp;type=3Dpolitics

EFF TAKES VIACOM TO TASK OVER YOUTUBE TAKEDOWN
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Greg Sandoval]
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is=20
encouraging those wrongly accused of posting=20
pirated Viacom material on YouTube to stand up to=20
the giant conglomerate--even if it means a court=20
fight. Two weeks ago, when Viacom demanded that=20
YouTube remove 100,000 videos featuring=20
unauthorized clips of its films or TV shows, some=20
innocent users got caught up in the sweep, said=20
EFF, an advocate for the rights of Internet=20
users. In a video posted to YouTube last week,=20
EFF said it wanted to hear from anyone who may=20
have been unfairly blamed. EFF compared Viacom's=20
actions to fishermen who cast a wide net and=20
mistakenly trap a porpoise. The group suggested=20
in a note on its Web site that some of those=20
accused of copyright violations may need legal help.
http://news.com.com/EFF+takes+Viacom+to+task+over+YouTube+takedown/2100-...
6_3-6159548.html?tag=3Dnefd.lede

IS THAT REALLY WHAT YOUR EMAIL MEANT TO SAY?
[SOURCE: Reuters]
You know, some people have a way with e-mail and=20
some people not have way... Billions of emails=20
are sent around the globe each day but are their=20
true meanings getting across? Maybe not. Although=20
emails are quick and easy to send, their lack of=20
facial cues, body language and emotional feedback=20
mean they can be easily misinterpreted. Kristin=20
Byron, of the Whitman School of Management at=20
Syracuse University in New York, believes that=20
many email users could be sending and getting=20
mixed messages in emails. "A first step toward=20
improving accuracy in emails is to recognize the=20
possibility that we are fallible as both email=20
senders and receivers," said Byron who is an=20
assistant professor of management at the university.
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSL1451809620070214

MEDIA & ELECTIONS

GOOGLECTION 2008
[SOURCE: techPresident, AUTHOR: Michael Bassik]
[Commentary] As more and more candidates declare=20
their intention to run for president in 2008,=20
more and more Americans will turn to search=20
engines like Google and Yahoo! to find their=20
websites. So, at a minimum, I expected all 17 of=20
the presumed candidates to have purchased=20
keywords on Google and Yahoo!. For between $.10=20
and $.25 per click, candidates can make sure=20
they=92re directing traffic from potential=20
supporters to the proper website. To my surprise,=20
only six of the 17 presumed candidates have=20
purchased keywords on search engines. And if you=20
take a closer look, it=92s the Republicans who are=20
doing a significantly better job of using search=20
to communicate with the electorate. That said, no=20
candidate seems to be using search to reach=20
voters searching for information on specific=20
issues. For example, no candidate website appears=20
in the top results when searching for terms like=20
=93global warming=94 or =93war in Iraq=94 or =93energy=20
independence.=94 It=92s time all candidates=20
recognize the power of search to drive=20
highly-targeted traffic to their fledgling websites.
http://www.techpresident.com/node/42

AL FRANKEN ENTERS MINNESOTA SENATE RACE
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: Patrick Condon]
Al Franken announced Wednesday that he will run=20
for the Senate in 2008, making it clear that the=20
radio host, comedian and author of "Rush Limbaugh=20
Is A Big Fat Idiot" wants to be taken seriously=20
as a political figure. Franken's announcement=20
came on the final day of his show on the liberal=20
radio network Air America. His decision instantly=20
makes him a serious contender and brings national attention to the race.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SENATE_FRANKEN?SITE=3DRIPAW&SECTION=
=3DHOME&TEMPLATE=3DDEFAULT
* No Joke, Al Franken Is Running for Senate
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/14/AR200702...
1599.html

SENATOR WANTS TO BAN 'DECEPTIVE' VIDEO GAME RATINGS
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Anne Broache]
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) on Tuesday=20
reintroduced the Truth in Video Game Rating Act,=20
first proposed last September. It calls for=20
requiring video game rating organizations to play=20
all games "in their entirety" before issuing=20
labels and prohibiting game developers from=20
withholding any "hidden" game content from=20
raters. It would also punish ratings groups that=20
"grossly mischaracterize" any game's content.
http://news.com.com/Senator+wants+to+ban+deceptive+video+game+ratings/21...
1028_3-6159413.html?tag=3Dnefd.top

JOURNALISM

RED ALL OVER
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Steven Rattner]
[Commentary] Newspapers face more complex, deeper=20
and considerably more intractable challenges than=20
these theories suggest. The time that Americans=20
spend reading newspapers has been dropping=20
steadily (now down to 15 hours a month), with=20
scant evidence that quality Internet time is=20
taking its place. In September, the average=20
visitor to newspaper Web sites spent only 41.5=20
minutes per month on those sites, up 10% from the=20
previous year but not nearly enough to make up=20
the loss. And while the use of newspaper Web=20
sites is growing, the vast preponderance of=20
Americans get their online news through the big=20
portals (AOL, Yahoo, etc.), which means that they=20
are mostly consuming a bland porridge of wire=20
service stories. Most fundamental is whether the=20
public is still interested in news (as opposed to=20
entertainment, gossip or lifestyle info). More=20
than fearing the death of newspapers -- they will=20
struggle on -- we ought to fear what changing=20
reading and viewing habits are forcing newspapers=20
to think of as news. We shouldn't fault the=20
papers for this, however, any more than we should=20
fault the evening news for going soft or the=20
newsweeklies for their endless lifestyle covers=20
or CNN for its hyperventilating over every=20
weather blip. They're merely providing what their=20
customers are demanding. We can't expect the=20
objectives of enterprises that were organized=20
around a for-profit interest to necessarily=20
intersect with the societal value of quality=20
journalism. So perhaps it's time to think about=20
new models for the news business. Not-for-profit=20
status might be one possibility. Instead of=20
having billionaire moguls as proprietors, we=20
could try to turn them into philanthropists who=20
found nonprofit organizations to buy and operate their local papers.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117150996245409526.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
nion
(requires subscription)

HEALTH & MEDIA

KAISER HAS ACHES, PAINS GOING DIGITAL
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Daniel Costello]
Kaiser Permanente's $4-billion effort to=20
computerize the medical records of its 8.6=20
million members has encountered repeated=20
technical problems, leading to potentially=20
dangerous incidents such as patients listed in=20
the wrong beds. At times, doctors and medical=20
staff at the nation's largest nonprofit health=20
maintenance organization haven't had access to=20
crucial patient information, and system outages=20
have led to delays in emergency room care. Other=20
problems have included malfunctioning bedside=20
scanners meant to ensure that patients receive=20
the correct medication. The HMO's problems come=20
as it plans to expand the computerized system=20
over the next two years to nearly three dozen=20
more hospitals =97 most in California =97 where the=20
sickest patients are treated and ensuring patient=20
safety is most difficult. Kaiser's effort, one of=20
the largest and most ambitious electronic medical=20
records projects in the country, is seen as a=20
possible national model. With evidence suggesting=20
that digitized recordkeeping can lower health=20
costs and save lives, President Bush is pushing=20
for every American to have an electronic medical=20
record by 2014. But the glitches illustrate the=20
difficulties a massive healthcare provider might=20
encounter trying to implement a complex computerized system.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-fi-kaiser15feb15,1,501...
6.story?coll=3Dla-headlines-frontpage
(requires registration)

SPECTRUM

THE GLOBAL VILLAGE AND THE MADNESS OF THE E-CROWDS
[SOURCE: Financial Times, AUTHOR: Thomas W. Hazlett]
[Commenary] Today=92s buzz is You, whom Time=20
Magazine honored as =93Person of the Year=94 for=20
igniting =93community and collaboration on a scale=20
never seen before.=94 Your blog entries and social=20
networking posts rock. Meanwhile, you=92re=20
revolutionizing Information Technology markets=20
with far-flung innovations in open-source=20
hardware and software. Soon governments will=20
tumble and the meek shall inherit every entry in=20
Wikipedia, A-Z. Overhype about the emerging=20
markets is good clean fun when confined to=20
mindless text-messaging. There is an undeniable=20
=93wow=94 factor. But there is also a madness to the=20
e-crowd. Whenever a trend is spotted that=20
captures the fancy of the zeitgeist, it is=20
formulated as a linear trajectory, and shot into=20
orbit. All cross traffic is banned. Call it=20
=93asymmetric triumphalism.=94 Yes, the dramatic=20
lowering of distribution costs allows information=20
to travel on a budget. That is an oomph for=20
markets, and perhaps a double-oomph for=20
democracy. But there=92s more. Never have so many,=20
owed so much, for so few user names and=20
passwords. Our buzz-colored shades block out key=20
drivers of innovation. Take wireless. While 2.5bn=20
people were subscribing to mobile networks, the=20
tech spotlight was on =85 WiFi. While a handy way=20
to make a DSL connection cordless, the disruptive=20
technology claims =96 that the exclusive rights=20
used for wide area cellular networks were now=20
eclipsed by unlicensed spectrum governed by power=20
limits and regulatory standards =96 were wrong. Not=20
many folks dropping their mobile subscription to=20
talk from their =93hotspot.=94 Yet US regulators,=20
focusing on the WiFi =93commons,=94 let most of a=20
decade slip away before auctioning 3G licenses in=20
2006. Not only did this stunt the growth of=20
wireless networks, it now sets the stage for vast=20
bandwidth to be wasted in the TV Band. There=20
policymakers are pushing to expand unlicensed=20
spectrum allocations, when the evidence is=20
compelling that opportunity costs far outweigh=20
benefits. The point is not that =93closed=94 beats=20
=93open,=94 but that capitalism accommodates both.=20
Rules need not be changed to embrace the=20
revolution. Markets thrust revolutions upon us,=20
boldly and magnificently, far more often than we care to remember.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/ee544356-b522-11db-a5a5-0000779e2340.html
(requires subscription)
--------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------

February 14, 2007
Coverage Type 
Lauren Frayer

“This is no longer the age of ‘having a face for radio.’ This is a visual medium now.”
-- Dianna Jason, Power 106, a Los Angeles hip-hop radio station.

http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=node/4840

Topics

Related Headlines

February 14, 2007
Coverage Type 
Lauren Frayer

MARTIN SHOPPING NEW MUST-CARRY PLAN
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
In a new must-carry proposal from Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin, cable operators would be forced to carry the programming of certain “eligible entities” that had leased excess spectrum from local digital-TV stations. Under Martin’s new plan, the leasing of spectrum by qualified entities would be voluntary for TV stations, but carriage of the programming would be compulsory for cable operators. Eligible entities would need to comply with public-interest obligations that apply to TV stations, including indecency and children’s television rules. Chairman Martin’s goal is for the FCC to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to select entities that would be allowed to lease the spectrum and obtain cable-carriage privileges. His preference is to limit eligibility to new entrants and small businesses to keep the program race neutral. It's doubtful that broadcasters will rush to embrace Martin's idea. Digital-TV stations were hoping that multicast-must-carry mandates would entitle them to cable carriage of five or six channels. But Martin’s plan would seem to shift the cable-carriage benefits to third-party lessees of digital-TV spectrum. TV stations might need to surrender 5% of their lease revenue to the U.S. Treasury under FCC rules today. “The Chairman wants to do all that he can to facilitate entry by small business and other eligible entities in an already-crowded field of broadcasting,” an FCC official said Tuesday, one week after Martin and his aides began reaching out for support. At one meeting not attended by Chairman Martin, National Cable & Telecommunications Association president Kyle McSlarrow discussed the proposal with Catherine Bohigian, a Martin confidante who is chief of the Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis. Also in attendance were an official from the National Association of Broadcasters and attorney David Honig, executive director of the Minority Media & Telecommunications Council. Honig also met with Chairman Martin separately. Honig said he wanted “to give Martin credit” for trying to “split the difference between broadcasting and cable” on carriage of digital-TV signals, which has been raging for nearly a decade.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6416299.html?display=Breaking+News
* Honig Cheers Martin for Bridging Multicast Must-Carry Divide
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable 2/15, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6416721?display=Breaking+News

FCC MUST END LOCAL HDTV DISPUTES
[SOURCE: TVPredictions.com, AUTHOR: Phillip Swann]
[Commentary] In several cities, including Tucson, St. Louis, New Orleans, Providence, Norfolk, Albuquerque and Indianapolis, local TV stations are refusing to let cable and/or satellite operators offer their high-def signals. The local stations, which are owned by broadcast groups such as Belo, Sinclair and LIN TV, are demanding that the TV providers pay them for the right to carry the HD feeds. If the FCC continues to sit on the sidelines, millions more Americans will be unable to watch their favorite channels in HD, at least for a period of time. This will make high-def owners angry and frustrated, causing them to discourage their friends and neighbors from buying Digital/HDTV sets. And that will make it more difficult for the federal government to get everyone on board for the transition to Digital TV in 2009. The FCC should move immediately to order a binding arbitration in any local dispute over high-def signals. If the local station and TV provider can't reach an agreement, they will have to agree to the arbitration rather than cavalierly pulling the high-def signals off the air.
http://www.tvpredictions.com/fccact021307.htm

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6416299.html?display=Breaking%20News

Topics

Related Headlines

February 14, 2007
Coverage Type 
Lauren Frayer

VERIZON SUPPORTS PROGRAM-ACCESS EXTENSION
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
The Federal Communications Commission should extend a law that permits pay TV competitors to demand access to satellite-delivered cable channels owned by cable operators, Verizon executive Tom Tauke said Monday. Under the rule, Time Warner has to sell CNN to Verizon, DirecTV and EchoStar Communications’s Dish Network, but the per-subscriber license fee charged may vary based on the size of the distributor without clashing with FCC policy. As a result, small distributors tend to pay more per-subscriber than large ones. The FCC has until Oct. 5 to decide whether to extend the rules. Although an agency rulemaking can take one year or more to complete, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin hasn't launched a review of program access. In recent Senate testimony, Martin indicated support for an extension. In enacting the rules in 1992, Congress gave the agency permission to let them sunset in 2002. The agency declined to do so and tacked on another five years with support from Martin, who at the time wasn't chairman but a regular FCC member.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6415800.html?display=Breaking+News

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6415800.html?display=Breaking%20News

Topics

Related Headlines

February 14, 2007
Coverage Type 
Lauren Frayer

FTC SEEKS MIDDLE GROUND IN NET NEUTRALITY FEUD
[SOURCE: ZDNet, AUTHOR: Anne Broache]
Federal consumer protection officials on Tuesday indicated they're not ready to side with fans or foes of contentious Net neutrality regulations and said a middle-ground approach may be preferable. Speaking on the first day of a workshop on broadband competition, Federal Trade Commission Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras and Commissioner Jon Leibowitz both spoke of the need to break through what they portrayed as extreme rhetoric lobbed by both sides of the issue before making any policy decisions. Airing disparate views was the purpose of the FTC's forum, which is slated to continue on Wednesday and to feature some three dozen speakers over the two days from industry, interest groups and academia. After vetting comments from those panelists and the public, an FTC task force focused on Internet access plans to issue a report about its conclusions on the direction broadband policy should be headed.
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-6159104.html
* FTC Wants 'More Facts' On 'Network Neutrality'
[SOURCE: Technology Daily 2/13, AUTHOR: Andrew Noyes]
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-PKYH1171569120327.html

See also --
* Direct Marketers Make Pitch for Network Neutrality
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Direct-response marketers made their pitch for network neutrality at a Federal Trade Commission forum in Washington Tuesday. Barbara Tulipane, president of the Electronic Retailing Association, argued that, while network owners should be able to charge for non-Internet-related broadband applications like video, the Internet should remain "open." Like other content providers, marketers are concerned they might have to start paying a premium for fast pipe over which to pitch their goods and services. She also argued that allowing networks to prioritize content based on content "will result in a closed network and will stifle the innovation of both large and small e-retailers."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6416154.html?display=Breaking...

FTC seeks middle ground in Net neutrality feud

Topics

Related Headlines

February 14, 2007
Coverage Type 
Lauren Frayer

COMMERCE COMMITTEE MARKS UP INTEROPERABILITY, 911 MODERNIZATION BILLS
[SOURCE: US Senate Commerce Committee]
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on Tuesday unanimously approved six bills, three of which will make significant improvements to our nation’s security. 1) The Committee approved a manager’s package amending the Interoperable Emergency Communications Act, S. 385. The bill gives the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) greater direction regarding how to use the $1 billion interoperability fund created by the Committee in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. This legislation reinforces the September 30, 2007 deadline set by Congress for distribution of the $1 billion of interoperable communications grants. The September 30, 2007 deadline was mandated by Section 4 of the Call Home Act (P.L. 109-459), which was enacted on December 22, 2006. The bill would also allow up to $100 million of the expedited $1 billion be used to establish technology reserves that would assist emergency response agencies in pre-positioning communications equipment in states or regional facilities that can be quickly activated in the event of a major emergency or natural disaster. Senator Stevens noted that in remote areas, like Alaska , it is critical to have infrastructure nearby that can be quickly deployed in the event of a disaster. 2) S. 93, the 911 Modernization Act, would facilitate 911 grants to public safety answering points by authorizing the NTIA to borrow against anticipated receipts from auction revenues.
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Det...

* Senate Commerce Committee Approves Measure to Improve Emergency Communications
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Det...

http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&Pres…

Topics

Related Headlines

February 14, 2007
Coverage Type 
Lauren Frayer

REP MARKEY URGES FCC PROBE INTO USES OF TELEPHONE DATA
[SOURCE: Technology Daily 2/9, AUTHOR: David Hatch]
After receiving an award from the Alliance for Public Technology on Friday, House Telecom Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA) said he wants the Federal Communications Commission to investigate allegations that telecommunications carriers let the National Security Agency review customer telephone records without legal authority. "Telecommunications law requires that the privacy of all consumers be protected," he said and the FCC has "a responsibility to use ... the laws that they are bound to uphold to engage in a public policy debate" with the NSA. "The NSA does not have a legal right to assert unfettered access to all telephone records in America without obtaining a legal warrant." Chairman Markey does not accept the view of Republican FCC Chairman Kevin Martin that his agency cannot investigate. "I don't think it's right to say that the FCC won't undertake an effort to protect the privacy of those phone calls because they know they'll be told 'no' by the National Security Agency," Chairman Markey said. In the past, major carriers have either denied the allegations or declined to comment.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-SGHO1171391396985.html

Rep. Markey Urges FCC Probe Into Uses Of Telephone Data

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