Two prominent Democratic lawmakers asked the FCC to probe networks’ use of military analysts to see if the analysts properly disclose ties with the Defense Department and companies that do billions of dollars in business with it. The probe was sought in a letter released late Tuesday by House Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell of Michigan, and Connecticut’s Rosa DeLauro, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, the FDA and Related Agencies. The letter, sent to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, expressed “deep concern” about an April 20 New York Times report on the practices of 75 retired officers who appeared as “analysts” on cable and broadcast network news shows.
Public broadcasters are dealing with consumer concerns and confusion over digital converter box and antenna performance, said Mark Erstling, acting president of the Association of Public TV Stations. Stations are producing spots to educate consumers about those issues, he said. APTS and the Public Broadcasting Service are making sure stations have the “best possible information” to ensure correct “consumer guidance” on boxes and antennas, he said.
Department of Homeland Security cyber chief Greg Garcia proposed a vastly expanded U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) that would share more information with the private sector than ever. Garcia, assistant secretary of cybersecurity and communications, spoke Monday at a security conference of the higher-education tech group Educause. But he admitted that his idea probably won’t see reality before he leaves DHS -- likely when the next president takes office, in January -- adding that it would leave open many legal questions about organizations’ access to the DHS cyber feed.
Comcast plans to use a new a low-cost, low-functionality set-top box in some markets it plans to take “all digital” this year (CD May 2 p5) don’t address an FCC ban on integrated security functions in video-navigation devices, officials said. Either the boxes will have CableCARD slots or Comcast will need a waiver to use them, said Brian Markwalter, CEA vice president of technology and standards. “That is a big open question: Whether these are CableCARD reliant boxes,” Markwalter said. “Presumably they have to be, because there’s no waiver for this particular case that I know of.”
Comcast’s plans to use a new a low-cost, low- functionality set-top box in some markets it plans to take “all digital” this year (CED May 2 p4) don’t address an FCC ban on integrated security functions in video-navigation devices, a CEA executive said.
Allowing people with disabilities to sue device makers and service providers alleging unfriendly designs could backfire in court, a former federal prosecutor testified Thursday at the House Telecom Subcommittee. It held a hearing on a draft bill to require improved access for the disabled. Lawmakers largely ignored the claims of legal peril, instead demanding that the lone industry witness explain why costs won’t quickly drop if “universal design” is required for mass-market products.
Allowing people with disabilities to sue device makers and service providers alleging unfriendly designs could backfire in court, a former federal prosecutor testified Thursday at the House Telecom Subcommittee. It held a hearing on a draft bill to require improved access for the disabled. Lawmakers largely ignored the claims of legal peril, instead demanding that the lone industry witness explain why costs won’t quickly drop if “universal design” is required for mass-market products.
Allowing people with disabilities to sue device makers and service providers alleging unfriendly designs could backfire in court, a former federal prosecutor testified Thursday at the House Telecom Subcommittee. It held a hearing on a draft bill to require improved access for the disabled. Lawmakers largely ignored the claims of legal peril, instead demanding that the lone industry witness explain why costs won’t quickly drop if “universal design” is required for mass-market products. The witness panel included an NFL player whose father can’t hear, a Hollywood actor who’s deaf, and an Army sergeant who can’t see.
House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon indicated willingness at an e-waste hearing Wednesday to consider federal funding for research into environmentally sound recycling of electronics waste and green product design. He called the e-waste phenomenon “one of the major areas of concern” for his committee.
House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon indicated willingness at an e-waste hearing Wednesday to consider federal funding for research into environmentally sound recycling of electronics waste and green product design. Gordon called the e-waste phenomenon “one of the major areas of concern” for his committee.