Benton RSS Feed

** Don't forget that the FCC is scheduled to meet=20
again today to consider the AT&T-BellSouth merger=20
and a new proceeding on Network Neutrality. For=20
this and other upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org **

JOURNALISM
Study Examines Midwest Election Coverage

NEWS FROM THE FCC
AT&T offers concessions to get FCC OK on BellSouth
A Growing Free-for-All
FCC Launches Video Competition Review
FCC OK's Some Wireless Devices in Broadcast Band
Qualcomm Gets MediaFLO OK
FCC Seeks Comment on 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference

INTERNET/BROADBAND
The Google YouTube Tango
Call it =91Digital Divides=92, major study suggests
CDT Opposes Involving ICANN in "Spamhaus" Case
PokerStars says U.S. Gaming Ban does not Cover Poker

QUICKLY -- Association Between Television, Movie,=20
and Video Game Exposure and School Performance;=20
Liberty Media eyes News Corp's stake in DirecTV;=20
Clear Channel Launching Multi-cast Network; PTC=20
Files Profanity Complaints; PTC Praises KidZone;=20
Merril Lynch Downgrades Ad Spending Forecasts;=20
New media changes news ethics; NPR Is Said to Be=20
Demoting News Executive; FTC Fighting Phone=20
Pretexting; Nonprofits Sold Influence to Abramoff

JOURNALISM

STUDY EXAMINES MIDWEST ELECTION COVERAGE
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: Scott Bauer]
An average of 36 seconds per broadcast is all=20
that election coverage has warranted on local=20
evening news in nine top Midwestern markets since=20
Labor Day, a study released Thursday found. The=20
five-state analysis by the University of=20
Wisconsin-Madison's NewsLab looked at 30-minute=20
evening news broadcasts on 36 stations. The study=20
also found that TV stations do almost three times=20
as many stories on campaign strategy as on=20
substantive issues. Just 23 percent of the=20
station's election stories were devoted to=20
issues. Studies show that most people rely on TV=20
news reports to get most of their election=20
information, but that they don't learn much from=20
those reports, said Ken Goldstein, a UW-Madison=20
political science professor who directs the=20
NewsLab. Advertising, sports and weather all=20
received more attention than the upcoming=20
November election, the study found. On average,=20
the stations devoted more than 10 minutes to=20
advertising, seven minutes to sports and weather=20
and about 2 1/2 minutes to crime per broadcast.=20
The only stories that got less airtime on=20
average, according to the study, were ones about=20
foreign policy - 23 seconds - and unintentional injury - 11 seconds.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/ELECTION_COVERAGE?SITE=3DMAFIT&SE...
ON=3DHOME&TEMPLATE=3DDEFAULT
* See press release: http://www.joycefdn.org/pdf/MNI-Release.pdf
* See research findings at=20
http://www.joycefdn.org/pubs/content/pubs-newslab.html
* Election Coverage Panned in NewsLab Study
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6380266?display=3DBreaking+News
* Study: Stations Slacking on Political Coverage
http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=3D10884
(requires free registration)
* NAB Touts Station Election Efforts
On the eve of the release of a study from the=20
University of Wisconsin, Madison, critical of TV=20
station election coverage, the National=20
Association of Broadcasters released its=20
documenting of an anecdotal sample of broadcasters' campaign efforts.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6380374.html?display=3DBreaki...
News
* NAB Blasts UW-Madison Election Coverage "Study"
"It's hard to take seriously a report that=20
purports to document political coverage of local=20
TV stations that ignores debates, public affairs=20
programs, morning news, noon news, 4 p.m. news,=20
and Saturday and Sunday morning programming. This=20
is a bogus study from a group with a biased agenda."
http://www.nab.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=3DNews_room&TEMPLATE=3D/CM/Co...
ntDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=3D6981
* What Community Service?
"Roughly half of the local TV news hole not=20
devoted to weather, traffic and sports is devoted=20
to crime and accidents. 30% of morning news shows=20
are devoted to weather and traffic."
http://www.benton.org/benton_files/whatservice.doc

NEWS FROM THE FCC

AT&T OFFERS CONCESSIONS TO GET FCC OK ON BELLSOUTH
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Jeremy Pelofsky]
The FCC has scheduled time on Friday to decide on=20
the pending merger of AT&T and BellSouth. AT&T=20
apparently has offered some concessions to get=20
FCC approval for the $80.6 billion acquisition.=20
FCC Chairman had initially proposed approving the=20
deal with no conditions, according to sources,=20
but later offered one requiring the company to=20
provide competitors access to at least 30=20
commercial buildings in BellSouth's territory so=20
they can offer service. While there are five FCC=20
commissioners and the Republicans have a 3-2=20
majority, Republican Robert McDowell has said he=20
does not plan to vote on the deal because he=20
previously worked for a group that represented=20
rivals to AT&T and BellSouth. Chairman Martin=20
could ask the FCC general counsel to allow=20
McDowell to vote by arguing it would benefit the=20
public interest. But for the moment, Chairman=20
Martin has chosen to try to hammer out a=20
compromise with the Democrats and the companies.=20
Issues being debated at the FCC include Internet=20
access, wireless airwaves that BellSouth owns and=20
is using for high-speed Internet service, and=20
prices for wholesale access to the networks by=20
competitors to serve business customers. Analysts=20
at Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. said in a research note=20
to clients that it was unclear whether the agency=20
would vote on Friday and while the Democrats=20
would likely extract some targeted conditions,=20
they would not be overly harsh. "We continue to=20
expect the FCC to approve the current deal with=20
conditions similar to last year's relatively=20
modest ones," it said. "We remain skeptical the=20
Republicans or the companies, which could=20
facilitate a compromise, will agree to sweeping new requirements."
http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?type=3DbondsNews&sto...
D=3D2006-10-12T164111Z_01_N12356132_RTRIDST_0_TELECOMS-BELLSOUTH-FCC-UPDATE=
-1.XML&pageNumber=3D0&imageid=3D&cap=3D&sz=3D13&WTModLoc=3DInvArt-C1-Articl=
ePage2
http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?type=3DbondsNews&sto...
D=3D2006-10-12T150753Z_01_N12298624_RTRIDST_0_TELECOMS-BELLSOUTH-FCC.XML
* Consumer fears could delay AT&T acquisition
FCC Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan=20
Adelstein, want to require the new AT&T to: Let=20
consumers subscribe to high-speed Internet=20
service even if they don't have phone service=20
with the company; Lease more lines to local phone=20
and data service providers; and Accept some=20
restrictions against charging higher rates to=20
online content providers who are not affiliated with them.
http://www.philly.com/mld/mercurynews/business/15748614.htm?source=3Drss...
annel=3Dmercurynews_business

A GROWING FREE-FOR-ALL
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Editorial Staff]
[Commentary] By approving the merger between AT&T=20
and BellSouth unconditionally, the Bush=20
administration has again abdicated responsibility=20
for protecting consumers when huge companies=20
combine. Fierce competition between private=20
companies is at the core of the nation=92s economic=20
strength. But government still has an important=20
role to play as referee, making sure that the=20
rough-and-tumble game of capitalism doesn't=20
become perversely uncompetitive through=20
significant concentrations of market power in the=20
hands of a few companies. That leaves the Federal=20
Communications Commission. The commission has=20
scheduled a meeting to discuss the merger today.=20
It should take a long, hard look at the deal, and=20
the overall trend toward consolidation in the=20
telecommunications industry. There are strong=20
arguments that competition with cable companies=20
and Internet phone services have changed the=20
playing field. But the commissioners should=20
pursue the question thoroughly rather than=20
wielding a rubber stamp as the Justice Department=20
sometimes appears to. They must think first about=20
protecting consumers, while bearing in mind that bigger is not always bette=
r.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/13/opinion/13fri1.html
(requires registration)

FCC LAUNCHES VIDEO COMPETITION REVIEW
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The FCC for the first time will look at the=20
effect of family cable programming tiers on price=20
and service in its annual review of competition=20
in the video marketplace. The Commission will=20
also expand its view by looking at the impact of=20
Internet video, IPTV, mobile video and even home=20
video rental and sales on the marketplace, all=20
but home video having taken off substantially=20
since its 2005 competition report. The FCC is=20
soliciting information, including programming,=20
technical, and financial information, from the=20
relevant industries. Those include DBS, cable,=20
broadband, private cable, wireless, and=20
over-the-air broadcast TV as the new delivery systems.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6380446.html?display=3DBreaki...
News
* FCC Issues Inquiry for Annual Report to Congress on Video Competition
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267863A1.doc
* Copps Statement: "If we are going to continue=20
to improve these Reports, we need the submission=20
of detailed comments from the widest possible=20
range of sources. Our analysis can be only as=20
good as the data going into it. If the record=20
that develops falls short in any way, the=20
Commission must then rely upon other public data=20
to round out the picture of competition in the=20
video programming marketplace. My preferred=20
method would entail, in addition to the submitted=20
comments and public data, intensive and proactive=20
Commission information-gathering to obtain=20
independent and verified data. Such an effort=20
would help ensure the accuracy of our findings=20
and help us to fulfill Congress' directive."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267863A2.doc
* Adelstein Statement:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267863A3.doc
* McDowell Statement:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267863A4.doc
* MAP Questions FCC's Upcoming NOI on Video Competition
"It is unfortunate that the Commission has=20
initiated another annual report without finishing=20
last year's business. While the Commission is to=20
be applauded for trying to improve its video=20
competition report, it means nothing if the=20
Commission refuses to act on the information it=20
collects. The Commission has yet to resolve the=20
question raised by last year's report -- whether=20
cable penetration has met the so called 70/70 test of Section 612(g)."

FCC OKs SOME WIRELESS DEVICES IN BROADCAST BAND
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The FCC has voted unanimously to allow fixed=20
wireless services to operate in the so-called=20
"White Spaces" between broadcast channels, but is=20
has not concluded whether they should be licensed=20
or unlicensed and has made no ruling on mobile=20
devices in that same spectrum. In essentially=20
beginning the process of allowing some types of=20
wireless devices into the broadcast band, the FCC=20
took a cautious approach. It put out for comment=20
a number of issues, like whether to allow mobile=20
devices and whether or not any of the devices=20
should be unlicensed. But it did rule that no=20
mobile devices will be allowed on channels 14-20,=20
which are used for public safety in some areas,=20
or on channel 37, which is used for radio=20
astronomy. The difference between licensed and=20
unlicensed is crucial to broadcasters, since they=20
fear the latter are too difficult to monitor. If=20
such a device does wind up interfering with DTV=20
signals, it will be a tough egg to un-break, they=20
argue. While putting channels 2-4 in play, on=20
which set-tops operate, the FCC has asked for=20
more comment before deciding what, if any,=20
devices should be allowed to operate there. That=20
is also good news for broadcasters, as is the=20
FCC's emphasis on extensive interference testing.=20
While broadcasters were undoubtedly happy the FCC=20
took a conservative approach, particularly in not=20
approving unlicensed operation without soliciting=20
more comments, some would have preferred the=20
presumptive ruling that unlicensed was the way to go.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6380391.html?display=3DBreaki...
News
* TV Spectrum to Be Opened for Other Uses
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-fcc13oct13,1,4385436....
ry?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business
(requires registration)
* U.S. FCC allows limited use of vacant TV airwaves
http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=3DtechnologyNews&sto...
D=3D2006-10-13T004901Z_01_N12220585_RTRUKOC_0_US-TELECOMS-AIRWAVES-FCC.xml&=
WTmodLoc=3DTechNewsHome_C2_technologyNews-4
* FCC Takes Steps to Allow New Low Power Devices on Vacant TV Channels
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267867A1.doc
* Martin Statement: "Now that Congress has=20
established a "hard date" for the DTV transition,=20
however, the Commission should resolve=20
outstanding technical issues so that low power=20
devices designed to operate on unused TV=20
frequencies may be placed on the market with the=20
completion of the DTV transition."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267867A2.doc
* Copps Statement: "[U]nlicensed uses most=20
closely approach the ideal of the people's=20
airwaves, to be used in direct service of the public interest."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267867A3.doc
* Adelstein Statement: "[T]he potential use of=20
this spectrum for fixed wireless broadband=20
services in rural areas is too great to take the=20
spectrum completely out of consideration at this=20
time, particularly as channels 14-20 are not in=20
use across most of the country. So I want to=20
thank my colleagues for agreeing to changes to=20
the item that allow us to keep this spectrum "in=20
play" pending the results of future tests."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267867A4.doc
* Tate Statement:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267867A5.doc
* McDowell Statement: "I am excited about this=20
item because it starts a chain of events that=20
will lead to an explosion of entrepreneurial=20
brilliance. I am also delighted that it provides=20
tremendous opportunities for further unlicensed=20
use of these slices of the spectrum."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267867A6.doc
* MAP Applauds Commissioners on "White Spaces" Order
=93Today's FCC action is another step forward in=20
freeing more public spectrum for productive=20
public use. Commissioner Adelstein has once again=20
proven himself a champion for rural broadband and=20
affordable wireless everywhere through his heroic=20
efforts to keep as much spectrum as possible "on=20
the table" until testing is complete. As=20
Commissioner Copps observed, these are the=20
"people's airwaves, to be used in direct service of the public interest."
http://www.mediaaccess.org/press/whitespaces.pdf

QUALCOMM GETS MEDIAFLO OK
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
After months of waiting, Qualcomm has finally=20
gotten the FCC go-ahead, with some caveats, for=20
its MediaFLO mobile video service using spectrum=20
in the 700 mhz broadcast band. Qualcomm had asked=20
for a declaratory ruling that its method of=20
measuring possible interference from broadcasters=20
who will be in the band through the end of the=20
DTV transition (February 2009) was acceptable.=20
The FCC said it was. Qualcomm did not get all it=20
asked for, however. Rather than an FCC ruling=20
that a 2% interference threshold was acceptable,=20
the FCC established a .5% standard for the first=20
year, escalating up to 1.5% by the end of the=20
transition, when more broadcasters will have=20
vacated their spectrum. Qualcomm's service will=20
not be allowed to cause any additional=20
interference to stations already facing at least=20
10% interference from other sources. The FCC=20
approved the move unanimously, saying it would=20
speed the roll-out of advanced services while=20
causing minimal disruption to broadcasters in the=20
run-up to the transition, when they will all be=20
moved out of the 700 mhz band and into chs. 2-52.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6380372.html?display=3DBreaki...
News
* FCC Acts on Qualcomm Petition Regarding=20
Interference Protection Requirements in the 700 MHz Band.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267862A1.doc
* Martin Statement:=20
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267862A2.doc
* Copps Statement:=20
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267862A3.doc
* FCC Eases Way for Live Video to Cellphones, PDAs
http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=3D10885
(requires free registration)

FCC SEEKS COMMENT ON RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE=20
ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE 2007 WORLD RADIOCOMMUNICATION CONFERENCE
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
On October 4, 2006, the World Radiocommunication=20
Conference Advisory Committee (WRC-07 Advisory=20
Committee) approved and submitted for Commission=20
consideration its recommendations with regard to=20
a number of issues that will be considered by the=20
2007 World Radiocommunication Conference. Based=20
upon an initial review of the WRC-07 Advisory=20
Committee recommendations, the International=20
Bureau, in coordination with other FCC Bureaus=20
and Offices, tentatively concludes that it can=20
generally support these recommendations. The FCC=20
seeks comment on the recommendations. The FCC=20
also seeks comment on the draft preliminary views=20
and proposals that have been developed by the=20
Executive Branch Agencies and submitted to the=20
FCC by the National Telecommunications and=20
Information Administration (NTIA). Finally, the=20
FCC seeks comment on the International Bureau's=20
initial conclusions with regard to the WRC-07=20
Advisory Committee recommendations. The comments=20
provided by interested parties will assist the=20
FCC in its upcoming consultations with the U.S.=20
Department of State and NTIA in the development of U.S. positions for WRC-0=
7.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-2013A1.doc

INTERNET/BROADBAND

THE GOOGLE YOUTUBE TANGO
[SOURCE: The Nation, AUTHOR: Jeff Chester]
[Commentary] Under the radar of all but the most=20
savvy Internet users, powerful commercial forces=20
are rapidly creating a digital media system for=20
the United States that threatens to undermine our=20
ability to create a civil and just society. A=20
handful of companies now dominate much of the US=20
new-media market. Five corporations -- Comcast,=20
Time Warner, AT&T, Verizon and Qwest -- control=20
the wires and cable lines delivering us=20
broadband, digital TV and, soon, much wireless=20
service. The takeover of YouTube by Google=20
announced October 9 and the 2005 buyout by Rupert=20
Murdoch of MySpace are not just about mega-deals=20
for new media. They are the leading edge of a=20
powerful interactive system that is being=20
designed to serve the interests of some of the=20
wealthiest corporations on the planet. Given this=20
emerging marketing model, the US broadband=20
infrastructure may well become one giant=20
"brandwashing" machine. The most powerful=20
communications system ever developed by humans is=20
increasingly being put in the service of selling,=20
commercialization and commodification. And it=20
will lead to an inherently conservative and=20
narcissistic political culture, in which the=20
interests of the self and the consumption of=20
products are the primary, most visible, media=20
messages. And unless we begin to challenge it=20
now, the emerging digital culture will seriously=20
challenge our ability to effectively communicate, inform and organize.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20061030/chester

CALL IT 'DIGITAL DIVIDES,' MAJOR STUDY SUGGESTS
[SOURCE: Association for Progressive Communications]
Unequal access to information and communication=20
technologies (ICTs) has generated new=20
inequalities, according to Social Watch, a=20
coalition of 400 non-governmental organizations=20
present in 60 countries. "More than four-fifths=20
of the people in the world do not have access to=20
the Internet and are therefore disadvantaged when=20
it comes to making progress in production,=20
education, and constructing full citizenship,"=20
the organization's 11th annual report reads.=20
Giving figures to measure the 'size of the=20
digital gap', the study says, "In the most=20
developed countries, there are 563 computers per=20
1000 people; but in the most backward there are=20
only around 25 per 1000 people, which is to say=20
there are 20 times more in the developed world.=20
That is just one measure of the size of the=20
digital gap." Social Watch points out that in the=20
most backward regions, "investment in new=20
technologies is not geared to spreading them on a=20
large scale." The section called 'Information,=20
Science and Technology: Digital gap, people gap'=20
refers to the widely debated 'digital divide'.=20
The point its tries to bring home is that the=20
divide is reflected among people and without a=20
doubt, affects their ability to advance=20
collectively. Says the report: "For some years=20
now, the experts have been talking about the new=20
'information society' (and more recently about=20
the 'knowledge society'), and the challenges and=20
dangers it involves." But it suggests that the=20
"capability to manage information" is=20
increasingly important. It notes that currently,=20
40% of Canadians and the US-Americans have access=20
to the Internet, but in Latin America and the=20
Caribbean, the figure averages only 2 or 3%.=20
Narrowing this gap is a major challenge, the=20
study finds. There is currently not "one digital=20
gap", but several, it suggests. This is because=20
people's access to current information systems=20
"is conditional upon a series of factors". People=20
simply get "left out" from using the emerging=20
technology because of economic resources,=20
geography, age, gender, language, education,=20
cultural background, employment and physical=20
well-being. Moreover, "Access to personal=20
computers is a pre-requisite for access to the=20
new sources of information," it cautions. One=20
billion Internet users on the planet is a "great=20
success story". But the 80% still left out cannot=20
be ignored. UNESCO says that 90% of Internet=20
users are from the 'industrialized' world. Social=20
Watch monitors government compliance with=20
international commitments to development and gender equity.
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=3D5041176
* Social Watch 2006 Annual Report
http://www.socialwatch.org/en/press/index.html

CDT OPPOSES INVOLVING ICANN IN "SPAMHAUS" CASE
[SOURCE: Center for Democracy & Technology]
A case filed by an Illinois-based e-mail=20
marketing company -- e360 Insight, LLC -- against=20
London-based anti-spam group Spamhaus, took an=20
unfortunate turn earlier this month, when e360=20
Insight asked that the court force the Internet=20
Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers=20
(ICANN) to suspend Spamhaus's domain=20
name. ICANN, which oversees the Internet's=20
global addressing system, was not a party to the=20
case and does not manage individual Web=20
addresses. Under no circumstances should ICANN be=20
involved in these sorts of disputes, CDT said in=20
a statement issued October 12, 2006.
CDT Statement: http://www.cdt.org/press/20061012press.php

POKERSTARS SAYS US GAMING BAN DOES NOT COVER POKER
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Pete Harrison]
PokerStars, the world's second-biggest Internet=20
poker firm, said on Thursday that a looming U.S.=20
ban on online gaming would not apply to poker, as=20
it is a game of skill, and its business would=20
continue as usual. The gambling industry was left=20
reeling this month after the U.S. Congress=20
unexpectedly approved a bill that would make it=20
illegal for companies to accept Internet wagers=20
or for banks to process payments to online gaming=20
companies. The bill defines gambling as the act=20
of staking something of value on "a sporting=20
event or a game subject to chance" and is=20
expected to be signed into law by President George W. Bush on Friday.
http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=3DinternetNews&storyID=
=3D2006-10-12T145036Z_01_WLA4379_RTRUKOC_0_US-LEISURE-POKERSTARS-POKER.xml&=
WTmodLoc=3DInternetNewsHome_C2_internetNews-2

QUICKLY

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN TELEVISION, MOVIE AND VIDEO=20
GAME EXPOSURE AND SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
[SOURCE: , AUTHOR: Iman Sharif and James D. Sargent]
A population-based cross-sectional survey of=20
middle school students (grades 5=AD8) in the=20
Northeastern United States finds that the odds of=20
poorer school performance increased with=20
increasing weekday television screen time and=20
cable movie channel availability and decreased=20
with parental restriction of television content=20
restriction. As compared with children whose=20
parents never allowed them to watch R-rated=20
movies, children who watched R-rated movies once=20
in a while, sometimes, or all of the time had=20
significantly increased cumulative odds of poorer=20
school performance. Weekend screen time and video=20
game use were not associated with school performance.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/118/4/e1061

LIBERTY MEDIA EYES NEWS CORP'S STAKE IN DIRECTV
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Kenneth Li]
Liberty Media Corp. said on Thursday it may swap=20
its stake in News Corp. for a controlling=20
interest in DirecTV Group Inc., a move that would=20
thrust cable pioneer John Malone into the=20
satellite television arena. Malone, Liberty=20
Media's chairman, has been in discussions with=20
News Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer=20
Rupert Murdoch over making a swap for Liberty=20
Media's close-to-20-percent stake in News Corp.=20
since Malone quietly snapped up shares in 2004.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=3DindustryNews&storyID=
=3D2006-10-12T181015Z_01_N12338865_RTRIDST_0_INDUSTRY-LIBERTYMEDIA-DC.XML

CLEAR CHANNEL LAUNCHING MULTI-CAST NETWORK
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Allison Romano]
Clear Channel Television is launching a new=20
multi-cast network in seven of its markets with a=20
rotating wheel of entertainment fare, including=20
movies, children's shows and how-to programs. The=20
channel, dubbed Variety TV, will air on Clear=20
Channel stations' secondary digital channels and=20
is expected to launch in two markets, Tulsa and=20
Fresno, and roll out soon after on Clear=20
Channel-owned stations in Syracuse, Albany,=20
Jacksonville, Little Rock and Memphis. Viewers=20
will be able to access the channel on DTV-enabled=20
televisions and, in some markets, through deals=20
with the cable companies. Clear Channel is=20
modeling the network off a multi-cast channel=20
developed by its Salt Lake City station KTVX,=20
called The Hive, which features locally-produced=20
entertainment and sports fare, as well as a popular radio show filmed for T=
V.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6380734.html?display=3DBreaki...
News

PTC FILES PROFANITY COMPLAINTS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The Parents Television Council Thursday filed=20
indecency complaints against programming that=20
aired on My Network TV and NBC over=20
profanities--actually it called them "illegal=20
obscenities"--it claims aired on the networks=20
before 10 p.m. The NBC infraction was the use of=20
the word "tits" on ER, and "shit" on My Network=20
TV's telenovella, Desire. PTC can complain about=20
ER because even though its airs on the East and=20
West Coasts in the 10 p.m.-6 a.m. safe harbor for=20
indecency, it airs at 9 p.m. in the Mountain time=20
zone. Desire airs at 8 p.m. EST. PTC points out=20
that the swearing was in scripted shows rather=20
than the inadvertent cussing that sometimes slips=20
through on a NASCAR or NFL telecast. PTC's Dan=20
Isett also says the V-chip would not have blocked=20
the broadcasts because their TV-14 ratings did=20
not contain the "L' language descriptor.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6380749.html?display=3DBreaki...
News

PTC PRAISES KIDZONE
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The Parents Television Council has found a=20
parental control technology it likes. While the=20
group, a driving force behind indecency=20
complaints to the FCC, has long criticized the=20
V-chip/ratings system as insufficient protection=20
from indecent content, it has given the TiVo=20
KidZone service its "seal of approval."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6380265.html?display=3DBreaki...
News

MERRIL LYNCH DOWNGRADES AD SPENDING FORECASTS
[SOURCE: MediaWeek, AUTHOR: Anthony Crupi]
Merrill Lynch has downgraded its outlook for U.S.=20
ad spending for 2006 and 2007, lowering its=20
growth estimate for this year from 5.1 percent to=20
4.7 percent and dropping its forecast for next=20
year from 3.5 percent to 2.8 percent. Merrill did=20
not change its estimates for broadcast TV,=20
forecasting 5.5 percent growth in 2006 and a drop=20
of 1.2 percent in 2007. This year=92s cable=20
networks growth also went unchanged, standing=20
firm at plus-6 percent, although Merrill=20
downgraded its prediction for 2007 from plus-7.5=20
percent to plus-6 percent. While Fine noted that=20
cable had a =93lackluster=94 upfront, she said that=20
scatter =93seems to be stronger now=94 for both cable=20
and broadcast. Merrill was optimistic about one=20
sector in particular, characterizing the Internet=20
and other digital platforms as bright spots in an=20
otherwise underwhelming market. Merrill projected=20
Internet ad growth to soar 29.4 percent in 2006=20
and another 21.9 percent next year.
http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=3D100...
2548

NEWS MEDIA CHANGES NEWS ETHICS
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Robert MacMillan]
Media outlets are finding it harder to protect=20
the privacy of the politicians and stars they=20
cover without losing scoops to blogs and other=20
competitors, the editor of online magazine Slate=20
said on Thursday. "I very much agree that we need=20
to have standards, but I think that in practical=20
terms, we don't control what people find out=20
anymore," Slate Editor-in-Chief Jacob Weisberg said .
http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=3DinternetNews&storyID=
=3D2006-10-13T095535Z_01_N12349500_RTRUKOC_0_US-MEDIA-PRIVACY.xml&WTmodLoc=
=3DInternetNewsHome_C2_internetNews-4

NPR IS SAID TO BE DEMOTING NEWS EXECUTIVE
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Katharine Seelye]
William K. Marimow, the executive vice president=20
for news at National Public Radio, has been asked=20
to take a lower position, as NPR=92s ombudsman,=20
according to current and former colleagues at the=20
broadcasting network. A decision to move Mr.=20
Marimow would be the first major step by Ken=20
Stern, who was promoted to the chief executive=20
position at NPR on Oct. 1. One of Mr. Marimow=92s=20
former colleagues, Jeffrey Dvorkin, who served as=20
the network=92s first and only ombudsman and left=20
in July, said that Mr. Marimow had not found his=20
footing, either in the newsroom or in management.=20
=93He was perceived as a traditional newspaperman=20
who had difficulty adapting to a broadcast=20
medium,=94 said Mr. Dvorkin, who is now the=20
executive director of the Committee of Concerned=20
Journalists. =93And he seemed to have difficulty=20
finding a role in upper management.=94
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/13/business/media/13npr.html
(requires registration)
* Top News Executive at NPR Steps Down
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/12/AR200610...
2033.html

FTC TRIES TO FIGHT PHONE PRETEXTING BUT HAS FEW WEAPONS
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Christopher=20
Conkey christopher.conkey( at )wsj.com]
Several months before the scandal erupted at=20
Hewlett-Packard Co. over operatives using false=20
pretenses to obtain people's phone records, a=20
Federal Trade Commission investigator clicked on=20
a Web site that touted its ability to produce=20
consumer cellphone and financial records promptly=20
for a fee. When the site -- www.isis2020.com --=20
produced a record of calls and credit-card=20
transactions made by an FTC staff member, the=20
agency pounced. It sued the company,=20
Virginia-based Integrity Security & Investigation=20
Services Inc., and four others in May for=20
advertising and selling private records. These=20
cases were the beginning of a roundabout federal=20
crackdown on so-called telephone pretexting. But=20
it is a fight the FTC has entered with one hand=20
tied behind its back. Federal law has made it=20
illegal to pretext for financial records since=20
1999, giving the FTC the ability to levy civil=20
penalties and refer cases involving those records=20
to the Justice Department for criminal=20
prosecution. But no federal law explicitly makes=20
pretexting for phone records a crime. Instead,=20
the FTC has had to use its mandate to stamp out=20
"unfair and deceptive practices" in commerce. The=20
agency can bring civil suits to compel companies=20
to change their ways, but it can't levy stiff fines.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116069919454791390.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
ketplace
(requires subscription)

REPORT SAYS NONPROFITS SOLD INFLUENCE TO ABRAMOFF
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: James V. Grimaldi and Susan Schmidt]
Five conservative nonprofit organizations,=20
including one run by prominent Republican Grover=20
Norquist, "appear to have perpetrated a fraud" on=20
taxpayers by selling their clout to lobbyist Jack=20
Abramoff, Senate investigators said in a report=20
issued yesterday. The groups named in the report=20
are Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform; the=20
Council of Republicans for Environmental=20
Advocacy, which was co-founded by Norquist and=20
Gale Norton before she became secretary of the=20
interior; Citizens Against Government Waste; the=20
National Center for Public Policy Research, a=20
spinoff of the Heritage Foundation; and Toward=20
Tradition, a Seattle-based religious group founded by Rabbi Daniel Lapin.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/12/AR200610...
0889.html
(requires registration)
--------------------------------------------------------------
...and we're outta here. Have a happy weekend --=20
and safe Friday the 13th. Go... Tigers?
--------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------