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"I think the people who talk about dismantling -- threatening -- Net neutrality don't appreciate how important it has been for us to have an independent market for productivity and for applications on the Internet."
-- Sir Tim Berners-Lee
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=node/3570
Senate Commerce Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) vowed to move his telecommunications bill during a post-election congressional session. While Sen Stevens acknowledged during a speech that his bill "obviously can't be done before we go into recess," he said he is hopeful the Senate will schedule lame-duck floor action before adjournment. That would ensure the legislation is "part of the plans when we come back into session," he said, noting that lawmakers expect to return about Nov. 13. "It is possible still to get it passed, and I'm working as hard as I can to see that that happens," he said. The senator conceded, however, that if there is a "sea change" in the composition of the House and Senate as a result of the mid-term election, his bill is effectively dead. "I've been through a couple of sea changes. Nothing happens after a sea change," he said. Sen Stevens continued to blame advocates of so-called network neutrality restrictions for holding up his bill. "No one can tell me what net neutrality is other than something that a few big companies want," he said.
Stevens Vows To Move Telecom Bill After Election
FCC OKs KIDS TV COMPROMISE
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The FCC Tuesday voted unanimously to approve compromise kids TV programming rules that set three-hour minimums of educational kids programmer per free multicast digital channel and sets new limits on commercials and links to Internet sites. Calling the process as important as the result, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said it was "critical" to recognize both media companies and advocates for producing a "template" for compromise, echoing the praise of the other commissioners. Commissioner Michael Copps said "There is no doubt that this item will advance the quality and quantity of children's programming," but he took the opportunity to say that it was time to establish public interest obligations for digital programming for adults as well. That sentiment was seconded by former FCC Commissioner Gloria Tristani. Currently with the Benton Foundation, she was a key player in the compromise in her former post atop the United Church of Christ's Office of Communication. “This process should be a model for the FCC, the media industry and advocates to come together to define what 'in the public interest' means for adults in the digital age as well," Tristani said following the vote.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6375143.html?display=Breaking...
* FCC press release
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267609A1.doc
REACTION TO FCC DECISION ON CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION
* FCC Chairman Martin:
"It is important that television play a positive role in children's lives. Both Congress and the Commission have recognized television's potential to do so and taken steps to ensure that television helps to educate and inform children. Broadcasters must be mindful of the unique needs and vulnerabilities of children."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267609A2.doc
* Commissioner Copps:
"[O]ur work on the digital transition remains unfinished. We are overdue for a similarly constructive dialogue on the more general public interest obligations of digital television broadcasters.... We have yet to provide the kind of clear guidance broadcasters need and viewers deserve. So it's time to address now how the digital transition can enhance political discourse, improve access to the media for those with disabilities, and increase localism, diversity and competition on the people's airwaves. It's also time to commit to a disclosure policy for digital television broadcasters. It has, after all, been eight years since a blue-ribbon Presidential advisory committee first made recommendations regarding broadcasters' digital public interest obligations. It has been nearly seven years since the Commission first opened a proceeding on this issue. And it has been nearly a year since the Commission's own Consumer Advisory Committee called for swifter action in this area. If the American people are ever going to realize the full benefits of digital television, then this agency has a duty to call these remaining digital public interest issues forward and accord them the high priority they deserve. Without such action, the digital transition will fall far short of its promise."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267609A3.doc
* Commissioner Adelstein:
"In today's Order, however, two clarifications unnecessarily retreat from laudable standards developed in the 2004 Order. First, the 2004 Order firmly maintained FCC's policy against host selling by restricting the display of websites that utilize program-related characters during the airing of the program and accompanying commercials. The language of the new host selling restriction and the third party advertising exceptions in the instant Order, however, are not models of regulatory clarity and certainty. It is unclear why web pages that are "primarily devoted to multiple characters from multiple programs" are categorically exempted from our host selling restrictions.... Another concern I have with today's order is that it retreats from a bright line rule that treats any promotion of upcoming programs, other than educational or informational programs, as commercial matter."
* Commissioner Tate:
"[W]hile I fully support this item and believe that it will lead to the creation of more and better quality children's programming, our children cannot benefit from this much needed additional programming if they cannot see it. I will continue to be vigilant in calling on cable and satellite operators, as well as new entrants to the video programming market like Verizon and AT&T, to carry more family-friendly programs. It's the right thing to do."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267609A5.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267609A4.doc
* Commissioner McDowell:
"I applaud this diverse coalition of children's advocacy groups, broadcast networks, children's programming networks, cable companies and advertisers for their efforts to forge a private sector solution to this challenge."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267609A6.doc
* Benton Salutes FCC on Kids’ TV Agreement
This process should be a model for the FCC, the media industry and advocates to come together to define what “in the public interest†means for adults in the digital age as well.... The transition to digital television offers a unique opportunity to improve television broadcasters’ service to the public by increasing the children’s educational programming that we see today. But we also have the opportunity to enhance the diversity of viewpoints at a time when minority media ownership levels are abysmal, promote civic participation through better election coverage, and expand local and community programming using the advances of multicasting. Now that we have moved to make sure digital television serves the educational needs of children, it is time to do the same for the rest of the community.
http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=node/3558
* Children Now:
"This is a great victory for children. We are so pleased by the FCC’s unanimous vote today; it demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to children and their needs in a rapidly-changing technological environment. By adopting rules along the lines proposed by advocates and media industry representatives, the FCC has taken a great step towards ensuring that children will be provided for and protected in the digital age. These rules will provide children with more educational programming and also will serve to protect them from the harmful effects of excessive advertising. We thank the FCC for prioritizing the needs of children as we transition to digital television."
http://www.childrennow.org/newsroom/press_releases/pr_092606.html
* United Church of Christ Applauds FCC Rule Changes Regarding Kids' Digital TV
Cheryl A. Leanza, managing director of the UCC's OC, Inc: "Children must have access to television that educates, not just programming that entertains, and children must be protected from excessive advertising. With new technology, serving and protecting children should get easier, not harder. This historic agreement insures the current legal protections for children will not disappear when children watch digital television in the future."
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=73233
DEAL IS LIKELY ON DETAINEES BUT NOT ON EAVESDROPPING
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Carl Hulse & Kate Zernike]
Congress on Tuesday was headed toward a split decision on President Bush’s pre-election national security agenda, moving closer to passage of legislation on the handling of terrorism suspects while all but giving up hope of agreeing on a final bill to authorize the administration’s eavesdropping program. Lawmakers in both the House and Senate said it now appeared doubtful that bills covering the National Security Agency’s eavesdropping program could pass both houses and be reconciled before Congress adjourns this weekend, an outcome that would deny Republicans one of the main achievements they hoped to take into the election. Representative John A. Boehner, the House majority leader, said the House would still proceed with its own measure this week in hopes of working out disagreements with the Senate after the election.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/27/washington/27detain.html
(requires registration)
* No Compromise On Wiretap Bill
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/26/AR200609...
* CDT Blasts Meaningless Wiretapping "Compromise"
[SOURCE: Center for Democracy and Technology]
CDT on Monday criticized a purported "compromise" on the Cheney-Specter warrantless wiretapping bill that led to three Senators announcing their support for the measure. The changes made to the bill were meaningless. The provisions in the Cheney-Specter measure that threaten to dangerously erode both privacy protections and national security remain very much intact, CDT said in a new Policy Post. CDT maintains that it would be better to do nothing than to pass a measure that not only validates the administration's illegal program of warrantless wiretapping, but also grants broad new snooping powers to future administrations. September 26, 2006
Policy Post: Wiretapping "Compromise": http://www.cdt.org/publications/policyposts/2006/17
Press Release: http://www.cdt.org/press/20060925press.php
Deal Is Likely on Detainees but Not on Eavesdropping
NEW CAMPAIGN ADS HAVE A THEME: DON'T BE NICE
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Adam Nagourney]
Republicans and Democrats began showing at least 30 new campaign advertisements in contested House and Senate districts across the country on Tuesday. Of those, three were positive. For Republicans, it was the leading edge of a wave of negative advertisements against Democratic candidates, the product of more than a year of research into the personal and professional backgrounds of Democratic challengers. For Democrats, it was part of a barrage intended to tie Republican incumbents to an unpopular Congress, criticize their voting records, portray them as captives to special interests and highlight embarrassing moments from their business histories. The result of the dueling accusations has been what both sides described on Tuesday as the most toxic midterm campaign environment in memory. It is a jarring blend of shadowy images, breathless announcers, jagged music and a dizzying array of statistics, counterstatistics and vote citations — all intended to present the members of Congress and their challengers in the worst possible light. Democratic and Republican strategists said they expected over 90 percent of the advertisements to be broadcast by Nov. 7 to be negative.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/27/us/politics/27ads.html?hp&ex=115941600...
(requires registration)
New Campaign Ads Have a Theme: Don't Be Nice
EXCLUDING THE DEAF FROM THE GOSPEL?
[SOURCE: DeafDCBlog, AUTHOR: Shane Feldman]
[Commentary] The FCC's meeting Tuesday included protests over a Commission decision to exemption of over 300 television programs simply because they are produced by nonprofit organizations and captioning the programs could cause “significant difficulties for these entities.†Most of these exemptions were given to religious organizations, most of which likely belong to a Christian denomination. Don't Christians want to spread the gospel to everyone in the world? If that is the case, why would Christian organizations purposely exclude deaf and hard of hearing people from the gospel? Christian organizations that requested and have been granted exemptions may be abandoning the words of Jesus by excluding deaf people from their programming. According to Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus calls on his followers to: “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.†“All†includes deaf people does it not?
http://www.deafdc.com/blog/shane-feldman/2006-09-26/excluding-the-deaf-f...
Excluding the Deaf from the Gospel?
FCC ANNOUNCES DETAILS FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON MEDIA OWNERSHIP
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission will hold a two-part field hearing regarding media ownership on Tuesday October 3. The first part will be held at the University of Southern California from 1:00pm-4:30pm and will include panels concerning the creative community and independent programming. The second part will be held at El Segundo High School from 6:30pm-10:00pm and will look more closely at the LA media market. The purpose of the hearing is to fully involve the public in the process of the 2006 Quadrennial Broadcast Media Ownership Review that the Commission is currently conducting. The hearing is open to the public, and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. This hearing is the first in a series of media ownership hearings the Commission intends to hold across the country. A final roster of panelists will be released prior to the hearing. The hearing format will enable members of the public to participate via "open microphone." A live audio cast of the hearing will be available at the FCC's website at www.fcc.gov on a first-come, first-served basis. The public may also file comments or other documents with the Commission and should reference docket number 06-121. Filing instructions are provided at http://www.fcc.gov/ownership/comments.html
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267624A1.doc
FCC Announces Details for Public Hearing on Media Ownership
FCC ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The FCC announced the launch of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. The events of September 11, 2001 and last year's hurricane season underscored America's dependence on an effective national telecommunications infrastructure. The new bureau will build on the Commission's longstanding commitment to meet the needs of public safety by promoting robust, reliable and resilient communications services in times of emergency. The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau is designed to address matters related to public safety, homeland security, and emergency management and preparedness. The bureau is responsible for the combined public safety-related functions that were previously dispersed among the other bureaus and offices. The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau is organized into three divisions: 1) Policy Division, 2) Public Communications Outreach & Operations Division - responsible for coordinating the Commission's emergency response procedures and operations. 3) Communications Systems Analysis Division - administers the Commission's information collection requirements and performs analyses and studies concerning public safety, homeland security, emergency management and preparedness, disaster management and national security.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267599A1.doc
Launch of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau
REPORT TO CONGRESS: MOBILE AMERICANS LIKE TO TALK... A LOT
[SOURCE: TelecomWeb]
The Federal Communications Commission will send Congress a report on "effective competition" in the mobile-telephony business with the probably well-known but interesting observation that American users apparently talk much more on their cellphones than do folks in other parts of the wireless world. The U.S. mobile base on average last year accounted for about 740 monthly minutes of use (MoU), according to the draft of the 11th annual report on commercial mobile radio services (CMRS) market conditions unanimously adopted by the FCC at its open meeting. The U.S. monthly MoU estimate compares with average MoU rates of 143 in Western Europe, 147 in Japan and 322 in South Korea, according to report. Further buttressing the growth of substituting wireless handsets for landline phones, the report -- often using industry-provided data -- says the 740-minute monthly figure reflects Americans on average adding about 120 minutes of time on a monthly basis from December 2004 to December 2005. Although Commissioner Michael Copps tends to question a somewhat elusive definition of "effective competition," the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau-compiled report says competitive conditions have improved during the past year by all its measures. This includes pricing value, technology improvements, product innovations, subscriber growth, usage patterns, churn, number of operators, service deployments and investment. According to the bureau, last year the mobile business added 28.3 million subscribers to its base to reach an estimated 213.3 million total (representing some 71 percent of the U.S. population) from about 185 million at the end of 2004. During that period, the report says average per-minute prices fell from 9 cents to 7 cents. In addition, the bureau report will tell federal lawmakers that 99 percent of the U.S. population live in counties with "some form of next-generation network deployment," while 98 percent have access to three or more wireless providers and 94 percent have the choice of four or more rival operators (a drop from five prior to last year's Sprint Nextel merger).
http://www.telecomweb.com/tnd/19451.html
* FCC Press Release
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267610A1.doc
* Commissioner Copps remarks
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267610A3.doc
Report To Congress: Mobile Americans Like To Talk...A Lot
FCC ADOPTS PILOT PROGRAM UNDER RURAL HEALTH CARE MECHANISM
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission adopted an Order that establishes a pilot program to help public and non-profit health care providers build state and region-wide broadband networks dedicated to the provision of health care services, and connect those networks to Internet2, a dedicated nationwide backbone. The construction of such networks will bring the benefits of innovative telehealth, and particularly, telemedicine services to those areas of the country where the need for those benefits is most acute. The pilot program is designed to encourage health care providers to join together to aggregate their needs and develop a strategy for creating statewide and/or regional networks that will connect numerous health care providers, including rural health care providers, through a dedicated, broadband network. The pilot program will fund up to 85% of the costs incurred to deploy state or regional broadband networks dedicated to health care. The pilot program will also fund up to 85% of the costs of connecting the regional and/or statewide to Internet2, a dedicated nationwide backbone that connects a number of government research institutions, as well as academic, public, and private health care institutions that are repositories of medical expertise and information. Interested parties should submit their applications to the Commission 30 days after Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection requirements in the Order.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-267605A1.doc
FCC Adopts Pilot Program Under Rural Health Care Mechanism