Congress

Will this innovative use of media and technology by the candidates and
their supporters translate into justice-oriented media and technology
policies by the new administration? Media advocates and funders need to
think and act now in order to have a significant impact on the new
administration’s policies in this area.

We asked several media
advocates for their suggestions on how to prepare for advancing a
media/technology agenda in the new administration. The following
highlights their thoughts and offers some ideas for funders interested
in media.

Intellectual property rights issues have been finding their way into
the campaign platforms of candidates vying to become the next president
of the United States. The following is a look at IP positions of the
candidates so far.

The role of the Internet in alleged intellectual
property infringement, especially of copyrighted music and video
content, has been most frequently discussed. In particular, opinions on
the use of digital rights management technology, strategies for
preventing piracy and the desirability of Internet neutrality have
played out in candidates’ statements and technology papers.

This article outlines DTV transition issues such as set-top boxes,  access to cable/satellite, economic impact on the poor, digital divide and information blackout for communities or individuals. The FlowTV is a critical forum on television and media culture and the website offers resources for those interested in media content and delivery through television.

Costs of Failure to Achieve President’s Goal of Universal Broadband by 2007 are "Staggering," Says New Report

Include Hundreds of Billions of Dollars of Economic Growth and Over a Million Jobs

“Media is not the issue. Justice is the issue. Media is the
infrastructure for how we communicate about the issue of justice. We
need to be able to use this infrastructure. All of us represent a level
of disenfranchisement. Disenfranchised communities depend on media to
survive. For instance, Native American communities depend on the phone
system – yes, phone systems are a part of media. Net neutrality is also
an issue… we want a community that not only increases access but helps
to create justice.”

Between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S.
households will be eligible to request up to two coupons,
worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up
to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes, while the
initial $990 million allocated for the program is available.

FCC internet resources

The federal government has set February 17, 2009 as
the date when all television broadcast signals will have to be sent
digitally. On that date, consumers with older, analog television sets
will lose all their free, over-the-air programming unless they have
purchased and installed specialized signal conversion equipment.

Congress has approved funding for a coupon program
for consumers who want to purchase signal conversion equipment so they
can continue to receive free, over-the-air programming on their old
analog TV sets after the digital transition date. Starting January 1,
2008, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two $40
coupons to be used toward the purchase of up to two digital-to-analog
converter boxes.

It's still unclear what impact the digital
transition will have on consumers who have cable service, but don't
have a digital televison set or signal conversion equipment. It's
possible cable companies will stop providing their customers with
analog signals from local broadcasters after the transition date.

This article outlines the actions Congress must take to ensure that the DTV transition includes provisions for public interest programming and that millions of television viewers do not get "unplugged" in the process.