"We should take great solace in this initial victory, but we must remain vigilant in preventing corporations, business interests, and other third parties from blocking Americans' ability to participate in the democratic process."
-- Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America
HEADLINE HIGHLIGHTS -- MEDIA AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY DEVELOPMENTS SEPTEMBER 2007
[SOURCE: Benton Foundation]
After Congress returned to Washington in September, front page headlines focused on the status of the war in Iraq. But there's been a great deal of action in telecommunications policy as well. Here's a look at some of the major developments since Labor Day concerning the transition to digital broadcasting, universal broadband, Network Neutrality, and media ownership policy.
http://www.benton.org/node/7349
Two events of note next week: 1) a House hearing on the future of telecommunications competition and 2) a discussion on wireless broadband innovation. For upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org/event/2007/10/05/month/all/all
VERIZON REVERSES ITSELF ON ABORTION MESSAGES
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Adam Liptak]
WHERE'S MY FREE WI-FI?
[SOURCE: Slate, AUTHOR: Tim Wu]
DEMOCRAT EDWARDS INTO MYSPACE, MTV CAMPAIGNING
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Ellen Wulfhorst]
GOOGLE LOOKING AT PRIVACY PROTECTIONS FOR USERS
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Peter Kaplan]
DEMOCRATS FAIL (AT LEAST FOR NOW) TO PROTECT NET USERS FROM TAXES
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Declan McCullagh]
[Commentary] The Senate Commerce Committee did not vote on a bill that would have extended a ban on Internet access taxes. The ban is set to expire November 1. Sen John Sununu (R-NH) said, "We introduced a bill to permanently ban Internet access taxes back in January. I just don't understand the continued delay in action. The clock continues to tick, placing Internet tax freedom in real jeopardy."
FCC CHIEF ENDORSES 'BRIGHT LINE' DIVIDING LOCAL, SATELLITE CONTENT
[SOURCE: Radio Ink]
FCC COMMISSIONER EXPRESSES MERGER DOUBTS
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal]
FCC Commissioner Michael Copps expressed doubts about three big mergers before the Commission: Sirius-XM satellite radio; the pending sale of the Tribune Company to Chicago-based billionaire Sam Zell; and News Corp's purchase of Dow Jones, publisher of the Wall Street Journal.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119094838396242372.html?mod=todays_us_pa...
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