Mixed Reviews of Media Monopolies

New-Media is an all encompassing, ever expanding, vast source of information. Today we live in an information society. Society strives on information, and wants to be able to obtain information upon demand. New-Media helps make this happen by providing multiple outlets that provide information to consumers.

My case study focused on Internet monopolies. One usually does not associate the term monopoly with the Internet. However, Google has proven to be a large new-media monopoly. During my case study I saw several students thinking about the information I had presented to them. I could tell that the students were unsure about the information that I presented.

During open discussion after my presentation I found that several students liked what I had to say. They were concerned with the monopoly giant Google; but the general consensus was that Google is currently not harming the consumer and is actually helping us by being a one stop shop. Google is one new found monopoly that helps the consumer.

The topic for the week is media convergence. When I hear the term convergence, the internet is the first thing that comes to mind. I could tell that after my case study, my classmates agreed. It is intriguing to learn that new-media provides multiple forms of interaction for the consumer. It is exciting to see that all though new media convergence is overwhelming at times; it is actually providing the average consumer more ways to be involved in media.

I learned a lot during my presentation, and discussion of my case study. New-Media entails a lot more aspects of economy and market flows than I had originally thought. Ultimately, I feel like new-media is allowing monopolies to form, but only time will tell if it proves to be an asset or disadvantage to consumers.

This website discusses Google’s beginnings and the major companies that are “gunning for Google":

http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=2&hid=14&sid=1940d630-9493-4c4f-b135-f88ad78d8e42%40SRCSM1&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=ulh&AN=11685151

What is new media?

New media is a term used frequently by people to describe the current generation of media technologies, but what exactly is "new" about new media?

Consider these responses...



Based on these interviews and opinions, what seem to be the key components of new media?

Welcome to COMM 330-SPRING 2009

Welcome to COMM 330.

In this course we will explore the history, growth and structure of technological systems underpinning the contemporary media landscape of the information society. This blog is a space for you to share your thoughts on issues and ideas raised in class.Posting on this blog is also part of your case study presentation assignment. This will give you an opportunity to reflect on what you have learned not only in your research but through issues raised in the class discussion or your presentation.

Following your presentation you will be expected to post a 300+ word summary on the class blogof issues raised during class discussion and Q&A of your presentation and critical reflection on set weekly discussion question . You are also encouraged to post helpful links to articles or web site related to their presentation. Posting of these comments online is due by start of the next class following your presentation.

Here are links to examples of good critical response summaries: Polls and the American Voter and DTV: Into The Future. I am looking forward to reading your reflections online.

- Dr Heidi Campbell

Catherine Cross' Research Paper

2008 Wireless Broadband Spectrum Auction

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") reshaped the telecommunications landscape and upheld the public interest in favor of the consumers by providing valuable public safety communications, advancing wireless services, and promoting competition when it held a non-discriminating auction selling off a large portion of wireless broadband lines. This portion was made available as a result of Congress mandating that over-the-air broadcasters change to digital broadcasting. Digital transmissions of telephone broadcasts require much less spectrum than the analog broadcasts, and thus, by requiring over-the-air broadcasters to change to digital broadcast, Congress was to make available a large portion of unused spectrum which was auctioned off at the beginning of this year (FCC, 2008, p. 1) The available spectrum, in the 700 MHz band, made it possible for new nationwide broadband internet providers to compete in the auction with the existing incumbent telephone and cable companies, AT&T and Verizon (Korzeniowski, 2008, p. 1). The spectrum auction provided an excellent opportunity to advocate competition, diversity, and public access. In the following pages, I will provide the benefits of the wireless broadband, present broadband history, and the requisite rules and regulations that were followed during the spectrum auction.
The benefits of digital broadcast television are very apparent. Today, our world reflects more of a “global village” because communication technology allows for a fast and efficient spread of information to occur instantaneously from one country to another. As quoted from Al Gore, the internet is an “information superhighway” comparing federal network of interstate roads with the enormous amount of information easily attainable for consumers (Aufderheide, 1999, p. 43). Wireless broadband is a rather new technology providing high speed wireless internet and data network access over a wide area. Wireless broadband is portable, with no fixed location (Aufderheide, 1999, p. 266). Its mobile capability is accessed through a personal computer ("PC") card, lap card or USB equipment that connects to a PC or laptop with internet capability via cell phone towers (FCC, 2008, p. 1). Hence, this connection is stable in almost any area that could receive a strong cell phone connection. Most broadband wireless services are estimated to have a range of 30 miles from a tower (FCC, 2008, p. 2). Providers of this service are known as WISP’s (wireless internet service providers), who conventionally only supplied wireless broadband to underserved rural areas. (FCC, 2008, p. 1)
Broadband can carry all kinds of services, from video to voice to data, benefiting consumers in a multitude ways (Fitchard, 2004, p. 1). The 700 MHz spectrum band signals travel about four times faster than those bands used by other wireless and electronic industries today. It is used by new carriers to promote up and coming technologies like 4G wireless networks, WiMax, and advance the already existing 3G wireless services of today (Reardon, 2007, p. 2). The band supports newer technology and inspires technology yet to be imagined (Fitchard, 2004, p. 1). As mentioned above, wireless broadband provides an easy and accessible alternate mode of communication by challenging its wired counterparts, DSL and cable companies (Aufderheide,1999, p. 266). To operate, DSL (local telephone provider) and cable companies require a wire connection between the outlet and the computer for internet access. This wired access to the internet is limited to one spot, impeding one's mobility (Aufderheide, 1999, p. 266). The 700 MHz range enables faster deployment of internet connection speed as compared to cable modems, and at a less cost because there is no need to have a fixed wire in every home (Aufderheide, 1999, p. 266). This extends internet availability to Americans even in the rural sections of the country, who at best receive internet through dialup (Lance, 2007, p. 2).
During an interview Less-State, a noted economist, continually remarks about the benefits wireless technology promotes. “Wireless technologies use spectrum. A lot of people believe that this is an extremely important distinction. Is there any reason to treat this spectrum differently than the thousands of other inputs used to produce communication services, or indeed other goods and services?” (Aufderheide, 1999, p. 267) “Absolutely not. Spectrum may be scarce, but with the possible exception of bad ideas, all inputs are scarce” (Aufderheide, 1999, p. 267)
Within the 700 MHz band the 60 MHz spectrum is of immense importance (Meyers, 2009, p. 1). This 60 MHz spectrum can transmit signals between transmitter and receiver without a clear, direct line of sight. This is beneficial in urban areas because signals can pass through walls and city buildings (Aufderheide, 1999, p. 266). Likewise, there would not be a problem in sending or receiving long distant messages in isolated rural areas (FCC, 2008, p. 2). Another benefit is that the installation of a device, like a dish, in each individual home would be unnecessary. The technology is user friendly and has no constricting boundaries, allowing access for all (Labaton, 2008, p. 2). As stated by the Chairman of the FCC, “The spectrum we are offering is going to be the building blocks for the next generation of broadband services ... it will allow a wireless platform to be another competitor in the broadband space” (Labaton, 2008, p. 2).
The characteristics of the 700 MHz band are interesting. Within the 700 MHz spectrum, there are two sections known as the “lower 700 MHz band” and the “upper 700 MHz band” (Lance, 2007, p. 2). The lower band refers to channels 52-59, and the upper band refers to channels 60-69. The upper band is reserved for public safety frequencies and new, upcoming technologies (Lance, 2007, p. 2). The frequencies were divided into small and large regional sections. Smaller geographic sections, areas where population is not dense, would want smaller blocks of spectrum. The larger geographic regions, like a conglomerate of cities, would want and require larger sections of the spectrum to support a large audience (Lance, 2007, p. 2).
Historically, the FCC has been the government agency responsible for regulating the wireless broadband spectrum. Initially, the government agency listened to the various interested parties, and then handed out bandwidth to those companies it determined would deliver the best results in the long run (Korzeniowski, 2008, p. 1). It was also typical at this time for the government to mandate certain frequencies only to be used for certain technologies. In 1994, the prior process of regulating it changed, and wireless carriers were allowed to bid on the items that they desired (Korzeniowski, 2008, p. 2). In 1996 the United States Congress authorized the distribution of an additional broadcast channel to each broadcast television station in order to enable them to start a digital broadcast channel while simultaneously continuing their analog broadcast channel (Korzeniowski, 2008, p. 2). In the transition to digital television, the FCC contemplated the auction in 1997, by loaning broadcasters the spectrum that would become part of the 700 MHz auction (Labaton, 2008, p. 2). Realizing that the incumbent companies, AT&T and Verizon, would be dominant in such an auction, special interest groups spoke up in view of the fact that the large portion of vacated spectrum to be auctioned could make it ideal for a new, third nationwide broadband internet provider. The government wanted to ensure that customers would benefit no matter who won the auction for the vacated spectrum (Labaton, 2008, p. 2).
On August of 2006, the FCC requested comments on changes to their 700 MHZ policy. The new spectrum became available in 2006, when the government set the date for the transition from analog to digital TV that would occur in February of 2009. The switch created much unused valuable spectrum desperately sought after by companies (Public Knowledge, 2008, p. 1).
It was obvious that wireless broadband was seen as an alternative service to DSL (local telephone provider via a direct service connected line) and cable, as well as initiating the rise of competing companies wanting to sell broadband service challenging the current duopoly of broadband providers in the market, i.e., AT&T and Verizon (Reardon, 2007, p. 2). Even today, most Americans access broadband through either the local telephone provider or the local cable provider. Both providers had been able to charge customers high rates, and maintain them due to a lack of competition (Fitchard, 2004, p. 3). For instance, “AT&T was charged with the upstarts of cream skimming - taking the high dollar clients” and only providing service to high-dollar or low-cost customers to service (Aufderheide, 1999, p. 22).
In April of 2007, the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition, a group of public interests groups who advocated for the creation of a third competitor for the upcoming auction, requested the FCC to adopt open rules, emphasized the need for a wireless wholesaler, and voiced changes to the bidding process to encourage diverse bids (Fitchard, 2004, p. 3). FCC agreed to entertain comments on the upcoming auction. In May of 2007, Presidential Candidate John Edwards urged the FCC to create non-discriminatory wholesalers. In June of 2007, 250,000 people called the FCC demanding access to the 700 MHz auction; the FCC held a hearing that same month. (FCC, 2007, p. 2) Multiple events occurred in July of 2007. Initially, Google sent a letter to FCC supporting open access to the auction. Google became a significant overseer in the process of determining the rules for the auction (Labaton, 2008, p. 3). Google campaigned for four specific rules they thought should be included: open applications, open devices, open services and open networks. In order to convince the FCC to adopt the rules, Google promised to place a bid on a spectrum at the minimum cost required by the FCC (Labaton, 2008, p. 3). Google’s actions spoke louder than their words. They realized that the spectrum they placed the minimal bid on would probably be outbid by another company. Nevertheless, it would still promote diversity and competition in a market dominated by AT&T and Verizon (Labaton, 2008, p. 3). Going up against these two powerhouses, Google earned respect and a positive repertoire trying to gear the market towards the consumers' benefit and public interest.
Thereafter, the FCC chairman, Mr. Kevin Martin ("Martin"), began a plan for open access to the auction. Not surprisingly, AT&T filed warnings with FCC that open access rules would "turn the clock back" on the incumbent telephone and cable companies, i.e., AT&T and Verizon (FCC, 2007, p. 2).
Public interests groups requested FCC to integrate "four principles" which they felt would successfully allow open access to participants other than AT&T and Verizon. Google informed the FCC that it would enter the auction with a guaranteed bid of $4.6 billion if the auction was structured to encourage open access (Labaton, 2007, p. 3). The FCC discussed and considered the "four open access principles." And, lastly, the FCC voted to keep two of the suggested four access principles. In August of 2007, the FCC sought comments on the rules for the 700 MHz auction, and set the date for the auction to be in March of 2008 (Labaton, 2007, p. 3).
Because two of the biggest bidders/players in the 2008 auction were Verizon and AT&T, and both had nearly complete control of their market, the FCC created rules for the 2008 auction challenging the incumbents' overpowering existence (Reardon, 2007). Aware of the current duopoly controlled by AT&T and Verizon, the FCC incorporated and encouraged competition by implementing two of the above four suggested rules to determine a third, open alternative to the cable and telephone internet duopoly (Labaton, 2008, p. 3). Previously, companies like Verizon and AT&T had paid a “blocking premium” allowing themselves to rule a market without newcomers intruding in their territory. The FCC foresaw this happening once again, and came prepared to the auction with preventive measures (Fitchard, 2004, p. 2). The FCC mandated the auction of all bidders would remain anonymous; presuming that if the bidders could not identify one another the prior signaling blocking behavior FCC had previously experienced would become more difficult (Public Knowledge, 2008). In addition, the names of the leading bidders would not be divulged. At the end of the day when the commission posted the leading bids, only in the amount bid would be posted, without the names of the leading bidders (Labaton, 2008, p. 3).
The government raised close to 20 billion dollars by selling off wireless bandwidth (FCC, 2008., p. 1). Without this auction, chaos would have ensured if devices had selected their own spectrum. These regulations imposed on the auction demonstrated the importance of the political process and its guiding role in establishing new market conditions for communications, media, and information services (Aufderheide, 1999, p. 103).

Catherine M. Cross
Works Cited

Aufderheide, Patricia (1999). Communication Policy and the Public Interest. New York, New York: The Guilford Press.
Fitchard, Kevin (May 31, 2004). The License Game - Telephony's Complete Guide to WiMax. Retrieved November 26, 2008, from Business Magazine and Media Web site: http://businessmagazineandmediathelicensegame.html
Korzeniowski, Paul (May 5, 2008). E-Commerce Times. Retrieved November 26, 2008, from The FCC Wireless Spectrum Auction: Looking Back Web site: http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/62814.html
Labaton, Stephen (January 22, 2008). The New York Times. Retrieved November 26, 2008, from nytimes.com Web site: http://nytimes.com/2008/01/22/business/22spectrum.html
Lance, Timothy (November 2007). Policy@edu. Retrieved November 26, 2008, from Spectrum Reallocation for Public Safety and Broadband: The 700 MHz Auction Web site: http://connect.educause.edu/Library/EDUCAUSE+Review/spectrumReallocationforPu/4
Meyers, Jason (July 19, 1999). News Now - The Daily Scoop. Retrieved November 26, 2008, from www.internettelephony.com Web site: http://telephonyonline.com/mag/telecom_one_one_lmds/index.html
Reardon, Margaret (April 25, 2007). CNET News. Retrieved November 26, 2008, from FCC to reveal spectrum auction plan Web site: http://news.cnet.com/FCC-to-reveal-spectrum-auction-plan/2100-1039_3-6178977.html
(April 2008). Public Knowledge. Retrieved November 26, 2008, from 700 MHz Spectrum Auction Web site: http://www.publicknowledge.org/issues/spectrum-reform
(2008). Broadband Opportunities for Rural America. Retrieved December 9, 2008, from Federal Communications Commission Web site: http://wireless.fcc.gov/outreach/index.htm?job=broadband_home
(2008). Britannica Encyclopedia. Retrieved November 26, 2008, from Wireless Broadband Web site: http://britannicaonline.com/wirelessbroad.html
(2007). The Digital TV Transition. Retrieved November 26, 2008, from Federal Communications Commission Web site: http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html

International Influence of Media Rhetoric

With obtainable, fast paced technology, the media is able to cross international boundaries connecting countries with other countries information. My case study attempts to demonstrate how the media persuades its audience and predisposes feelings among its audience with war rhetoric. The case study I chose compared specific words, repeatedly used by four newspapers, two from the U.S. and two from the U.K. The study used computerized content analysis to obtain their results.

The results found that rhetoric from the U.S. newspapers concerning the War on Terrorism tended to have emotional appeal, influencing its readers to support military action, government policy and promote national unity. U.K. rhetoric concerning the War on Terrorism had different results and was not infiltrated with agenda setting. Due to the location of the U.K. in relation to many other countries, (who also have a pronounced interest in the current terrorist situation at hand) and its cultural proximity to the values encouraged by the U.S., rhetoric used by U.K. newspapers took on an international perspective and collected information from many possible sources, such as internationally acclaimed professors, military officials and council members from multiple different countries. Rather than promoting immediate military action it took on multiple points of view in regard to the actions the U.S. should take and situational/international factors that underlie the intentions of the terrorists. For example, the following words were found to be repeatedly used by U.S. newspapers: Bin Laden, terrorism, national security, bombing suicide, plot, all found to facilitate intense feelings of dislike towards Muslims.

Even still, all evidence from my case study seems to tend more to the idea that the media shapes our messages, it is not impossible to rule out that we have no influence upon shaping our media. As pointed out in the discussion, many believe that we do. For example, consider how important polling or headlines are to advertising and keeping readers. Both take into account what will sell and what news to endorse and/or sell. Public opinion cannot be ruled out and should remain as a prominent factor in media news reporting. Concluding, that although mass media does shape our thinking and messages, there is an equal role that the public plays in creating and shaping what the mass media displays.

links:

http://sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/1/52?rss=1
http://therealnews.com/t/index/php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&ltemid=74&jumival=1523

Polls and the American Voter

With history being made in the very recent presidential election, I wanted to present a topic that affects us, the American voter. My case study revolved around polling. I presented different research methods in polling, theories that have been apparent in political elections, and the accuracy of polling in past and present elections.

Before I reflect and discuss my case study, I will provide a brief summary of the research, theories, and accuracy of polling. Polling falls under the group of survey research which makes generalizations about a population of people by addressing questions to a sample of that population. A type of survey research, opinion polls, better inform the public about opinions taking place in that culture. Opinion polls have been the most popular and successful method of determining how the American voter feels about a particular election. There are 2 main sets of opinion polls in an election; that of pre-election polls and exit polls. Over the years, polls have become more accurate in representing the American public. In a time span of 60 years, we have moved from the 1948 election of Dewey vs. Truman, where the Chicago Tribune Herald mistakenly claimed the wrong president won the election from bad polling results to this past 2008 election where the polls showed the correct results in all states except North Carolina. From the research conducted about polling, two major theories have arisen. One is the Bradley Effect which is a theory proposed to explain observed discrepancies between voter opinion polls and election outcomes in some US government elections where a white candidate and a non-white candidate run against each other. The second is the Spiral of Silence which asserts that a person is less likely to voice an opinion on a topic if one feels that one is in the minority for fear of reprisal or isolation from the majority.

Following my presentation, the class felt that polling can both encourage and discourage the American voter. Depending on the location of the voter and the popular beliefs held in their proximity determines how polls will affect a particular individual. It is a case-by-case situation. The discussion also followed the question of whether the Bradley Effect or the Spiral of Silence was present in this past 2008 Presidential Election. Surprisingly enough, the class felt like the Bradley Effect did not present a problem in the election even though there was a black candidate running against a white candidate. Yet, there was a belief that the Spiral of Silence did take place in this election. Many students talked about how their family members or friends were nervous in proclaiming who they would vote for if it went against the popular candidate of that area.

This course theme was extremely interesting to study. It showed how much time and effort is put into researching media effects and how to carefully examine the data that is presented. Although I feel that media research is helpful in many aspects, there is also the problem of stereotypes arising in determining a particular phenomenon about a certain culture. A particular website a found very interesting that I did not present in my case study is the following:

http://www.pollingreport.com/

DTV: Into The Future

In my presentation last week, I gave a smorgasbord of information concerning the government's involvement in forcing the broadcast industry to adopt a digital format. I alluded to and mentioned that the United States Congress has been interested in changing the broadcast system since the late 1980s. All of these documents, which are available due to public disclosure requirements, can be found through the Texas A&M Library website. Feel free to reference these documents, as you will find them both informative and easy to read.

Of even greater interest to you will more than likely be some of the more interactive ways that you can learn about the digital transition and be able to inform others. At the beginning of my presentation, I learned that many of you had heard about the digital transition, but post-presentation conversations revealed that this knowledge was limited to simply knowing that it will happen. The government and the broadcast industry are working together in order to better inform the public of what they must do in order to continue to receive television signals. This is all part of the FCC/Congress working together in order to enact the law that they have established. Now comes the interactive part. You can become a DTV Deputy!!! The FCC, in order to draw in people to understand the DTV switchover better, has created a 10 question Flash quiz. Score a 70 or better, and you too can become a DTV Deputy!

If reading documents or being deputized isn't your thing, check out these YouTube videos on the history of television. Each decade is only about three minutes long and covers some of the information we learned in class. It can be a great way to see where we have been, and where we are headed with the transition next February. As finals approach, I would recommend these videos to help review parts of television history. They're made by the Consumer Electronics Association, so you know that the information within is quite accurate. I've posted a link to the channel as well as an example below. I have also posted a video that they made concerning the digital switch. It's more animated than I could be in class, and may help you understand more of what will happen next February.
YouTube Channel: DTV Transition



Digital television will revolutionize some of the ways that we communicate. As we continue to merge technology into technology, we can only ask more questions of what the next generation of devices will bring. Could television, with the advent of digital broadcasts, begin to replace the computer as a primary form of personalized information? Will your TV more intimately interface into your home network without a third-party device? As TV goes digital, we can only expect that the industry will find more ways to stun us. Because of government action, we can expect that our technology will continue to evolve to higher speeds, and more content. So tune in on February 17, 2009 and see what's new in your neighborhood.