As the CBS vs. Time Warner Cable blackout stretches into a second full week, a chorus of commentators, lawmakers and consumer groups has taken pains to blame both sides — or at least that’s what they say they’re doing. But many of these critics have focused on CBS’ exorbitant demands and ignored the real culprit: the cable-TV business model.
Legislation Would Use Tax Code to Stop Junk Food Ads Targeting Kids
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
The debate in Washington over which foods should or should not be marketed to children is far from over. And with Congress getting serious about taking up tax reform, there is a new opportunity for lawmakers to use the tax code to regulate food advertising under the guise of raising more revenue for the government.
FCC Opens Docket on Media General and New Young Broadcasting Merger
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
The Federal Communications Commission has opened a docket on Media General's bid to merge with New Young Broadcasting.
Senators lash out at NSA for excessive secrecy
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) lashed out at “the lack of transparency” surrounding the collection of Americans’ phone records.
Democrats demand Obama ‘end the bulk collection of phone records’
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
Sens. Mark Udall (D-CO) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) demanded that President Barack Obama “end the bulk collection” of the public’s phone records.
Broadcast TV landscape is shifting under FCC
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
The string of broadcast television station ownership deals capped by the announcement of a sale by Allbritton Communications puts pressure on the Federal Communications Commission to keep its eye on the broadcast industry even as the agency is going through its own makeover. Taken together, the deals signal a reshaping of the broadcast business as it consolidates into larger station ownership groups that provide more leverage as they buy programming and sell it to pay-TV operators.
Senate Commerce Approves Wheeler Nomination
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
The Senate Commerce Committee approved the nomination of Tom Wheeler to be chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, but not without some drama with one senator threatening to delay Wheeler's final confirmation.
John Verdi, director of privacy initiatives, Office of Policy Analysis and Development
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
When the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) was tasked last year with helping to launch a new multistakeholder process aimed at developing privacy codes of conduct for various business sectors, the agency turned to someone who understood how technology, law and privacy intersect. With a background as both a computer programmer and lawyer, John Verdi fit the bill.
Antidrug Campaign, Lacking Federal Funds, Turns to Social Media
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
A multimedia campaign that was deemed effective in fighting drug and alcohol abuse among American teenagers is seeking a second act after the federal government ended its financing.
Telemarketers call in reinforcements as they ignore do-not-call list
Filed Under: Benton Headlines
Regardless of having registered a phone line with the Federal Trade Commission as a telemarketer-free zone, a growing number of consumers are saying that some businesses are ignoring their stated preference and calling anyway.