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For documentary filmmakers the ‘fair use’ of copyrighted material is a protection that allows them to create much of their work. But in recent years the terms of ‘fair use’ have been hotly contested. Gordon Quinn, producer of "Hoop Dreams," explains why he and a group of award winning documentarians are headed to D.C. this week for the next round in the fight.
Every time bloggers hit publish they risk being sued for copyright infringement, invasion of privacy or defamation. While the risk seems small, groups like the Media Bloggers Association say frivolous lawsuits are chilling free speech in the blogosphere. So MBA founder Robert Cox has helped start insurance for bloggers in an attempt to protect against costly litigation.
When comedian George Carlin died last Sunday, most remembrances focused on his infamous “Seven Dirty Words” routine, which ran afoul of the FCC and engendered a landmark Supreme Court case. Miami Herald television critic Glenn Garvin says America is divided over indecency and past guests weigh in on the debate over broadcast obscenities.
What can the next president do to right the wrongs of the Bush Administration when it comes to technology policy? Columbia University law professor and co-author of Who Controls the Internet Tim Wu makes his recommendations regarding broadband, the FCC and government transparency through technology.
Tucked away into President Bush's 2009 budget was language that eliminates the FOIA ombudsman. The newly-created position was at the heart of legislation that Bush recently signed into law, and was intended to expedite government's response to Freedom of Information Act requests. Cox Newspapers' Rebecca Carr explains that without the ombudsman position we shouldn't expect any improvements in the painfully slow FOIA process.
Our computers hold delicate personal documents, sensitive medical information and even confidential sources. So can border authorities search hard drives as freely as they search make-up bags? Adam Liptak, national legal correspondent for The New York Times, explains that a string of court cases may determine what protections (if any) extend to our data.
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin helped push through two rulings this week - despite opposition from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, pro-business lobbyists, media watchdogs and all of his fellow commissioners. Jim Puzzanghera of the Los Angeles Times says the contentious rulings reflect Martin's go-it-alone style.
It’s been a busy week at the FCC. In a decision which affects millions of cable subscribers, they ruled against exclusive deals between cable companies and apartment owners. They also held public hearings on media consolidation. Broadcasting and Cable’s John Eggerton explains the stakes.
