U.S. federal district court Judge Richard Leon (Washington D.C.) on December 16 held in a 68-page opinion that the NSA’s bulk collection of mobile phone call “metadata” was an unconstitutional violation of privacy. The effect of the decision is stayed pending appeal, but the court’s reasoning is instructive. Essentially, the judge found that: (1) our … Continue reading D.C. District Court on Why NSA Bulk Data Collection Violates Privacy…
Author: Ellen Goodman
Cynical Use of “Transparency” in GOP FCC Reform Bill
The House Commerce Committee will hold a hearing tomorrow, July 11, on H.R. 3309, The FCC Process Reform Act. Like most of what happens in Congress these days, it’s a bit of show on a bill that will go nowhere in the Senate. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting a bit of Orwellian doublespeak in the bill … Continue reading Cynical Use of “Transparency” in GOP FCC Reform Bill…
Scandalous Privatization of Noncommercial TV Spectrum
About 20% of the hugely valuable TV spectrum — slated for auction in 2014 — is reserved for noncommercial stations. Only noncommercial stations (mostly owned by universities and community non-profits) can operate on this spectrum and when they sell, they must sell to other eligible noncommercial operators. Two years ago, Congress made the fateful … Continue reading Scandalous Privatization of Noncommercial TV Spectrum…
Toll-free Broadband and the Public Interest
We are entering a digital world in which some broadband content will be delivered to consumers toll-free and other content will come at a cost. The cost won’t be in the form of a subscription charge, but in broadband usage fees charged by the wireless or wireline provider. Those companies — such as Disney — … Continue reading Toll-free Broadband and the Public Interest…
Who’s a Journalist and the New Public Media
In the last week, the meaning of journalism and journalist has expanded. Inside Climate News won Pulitzer Prize for national reporting… without a traditional newsroom. It’s a nonprofit organization in Brooklyn with seven employees and the mission “to produce clear, objective stories that give the public and decision-makers the information they need to navigate the heat … Continue reading Who’s a Journalist and the New Public Media…