November 6, 2007, 6:39pm
Do you think it’s a bad idea for just a few companies to monopolize the broadcast and print news outlets in communities across America? So does Michael Copps, a Democrat on the Federal Communications Commission, and he is fighting a plan by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin to ease the restrictions on U.S. media ownership.
He discussed the issue in an interview with C-SPAN.
Categories: Media, FCC, Antitrust, Television
October 1, 2007, 8:32pm
Come February 2009, the analog signals that Americans have used for decades to watch broadcasts will go dark as the long-planned transition to digital signals is completed. That means people without analog-based sets and cable or satellite subscriptions will not be able to watch their favorite shows — unless they get boxes that will convert analog signals to digital reception.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration will play a key role in making sure those conversions happen. The agency is in charge of a congressionally sanctioned coupon program to help consumers offset the costs of those converter boxes, as well as a program to educate consumers about the digital switchover.
NTIA chief John Kneuer discusses the transition and his agency’s role in educating the public about it in this C-SPAN interview:
Categories: Television
June 22, 2007, 9:49pm
Children are being bombarded with television commercials that push junk food and other “unhealthy messages,” a key House lawmaker said Friday, and if industry doesn’t take steps to address the problem, Congress may.
“I am prepared to press the Federal Communications Commission to put on the books the rules that will protect the children of our country from these unhealthy messages,” Edward Markey, D-Mass., said Friday at a hearing of the Energy and Commerce Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee, which he chairs. “The FCC has the authority under the Children’s Television Act to do that, and I just hope the industry responds.”
Categories: Massachusetts, Edward Markey, Television, Children
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