FCC Commissioner Warns Of Internet Policing...

(Wednesday, February 22, 2012)

If Robert McDowell is right, there will be wide-ranging implications for radio and all of us using the internet - none of them good. The FCC Commissioner, a champion of net neutrality, fears that a diplomatic process beginning in Geneva on February 27 could result in a new treaty giving the U.N. unprecedented powers over the internet. According to the Wall Street Journal dozens of countries, including Russia and China, are pushing hard to reach this goal by year's end. As Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said last June, his goal and that of his allies is to establish "international control over the internet" through the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a treaty-based organization under U.N. auspices...  

If successful, these new regulatory proposals would upend the internet's flourishing regime, which has been in place since 1988. This insulated the internet from economic and technical regulation and quickly became the greatest deregulatory success story of all time. McDowell believes his fears of internet control are real. He also believes the government is dragging its heels in meeting the threat. "While precious time ticks away, the U.S. has not named a leader for the treaty negotiation. McDowell says "We must awake from our slumber and engage before it is too late. Not only do these developments have the potential to affect the daily lives of all Americans, they also threaten freedom and prosperity across the globe." ...

As pro-electronic as Barack Obama is, he needs to answer McDowell's WSJ article and act accordingly to have the U.S. represented in Geneva...

Timeline Memories:

1879] Five & Dime: Frank W. Woolworth opens his first "5 and 10 cent" store (in Utica, New York). By 1997 all of the U.S. stores closed - many were taken over by Footlocker...

1956] First & Ten: Elvis Presley has his first Pop Top 10 hit: "Heartbreak Hotel"...

1959] Gentlemen, start your engines: The inaugural Daytona 500 is won by Lee Petty, father of Richard Petty...

1965] Number One on this date: "Kind Of A Drag" - Buckinghams...1971] "One Bad Apple" - Osmonds...

1980] Olympic Gold: Al Michaels makes the classic call: "Do you believe in miracles?" as the U.S. hockey team beats the Russians in a semi-final game. Two nights later they beat Finland for the gold...

1994] Spy meat: The Justice Department charges 31-year CIA veteran Aldrich Ames and his wife Rosario, with selling national security secrets to the Soviet Union... 

2009] No more slumming: "Slumdog Millionaire" wins 8 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Director (Danny Boyle). Sean Penn wins Best Actor for "Milk" and Kate Winslet wins Best Actress for "The Reader." ...

New York Mardi Gras: The intricate masks, the mystery, the costumes, the food - the charitable vegan masquerade will be an extraordinary night. Masks are a must, and costumes are highly encouraged. There will be a costume contest with a prize for the best costume. All part of a fundraiser for NYCLASS (New Yorkers for Clean, Livable & Safe Streets) to end the abuse of carriage horses. It takes place Friday night, February 24, 2012 from 8pm to 11:55pm at 56 Walker Street in Manhattan...

Critique Service: Now is the time for general managers to get their radio station in shape. Give your radio station a thorough spring cleaning with a fresh and impartial view of your station by taking advantage of my critique service. Get a professional critique of your station from a veteran radio programmer (WOR-FM, WXLO, WNBC, WRKO-AM/FM  & KQV). Do it before your competition does. Feel free to request more information, including rates by emailing me now at: mel@melphillipsradioviews.com  All replies will be kept confidential and all emails will be answered... 

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": Rajon Rondo (26), Drew Barrymore (37), Julius "Dr. J" Erving (62), Paul ("Popeye" Movie) Dooley (84) & SNL Announcer Don Pardo (94)...

Timeline Countdown:  Days Until: Daylight Saving Time (19), St. Patrick's Day (24), Spring (27) & MLB Opening Day (42)...