Acme Coalition Aggregator

At a moment when the future of journalism in general and magazines in particular is thought to be in doubt, can we learn anything that can help fix a business model said to be broken, not to mention improve the flow of information on which our democratic society is predicated?

Americans are turning to the Internet for their news more than newspapers and the radio, according to a new study. They are getting their news from multiple sources such as Internet news and social networking sites and local and national television. And they are getting news in many different ways, including mobile phones.

Google's recent push to provide ultra-high-speed Internet is more about injecting competition in the dysfunctional Internet business than about creating a new revenue stream.

Bashed on all sides already for its coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, NBC has now received a letter from the top senator on antitrust matters has expressed concern that "some of its Internet coverage of the Winter Olympics is limited to pay television subscribers."

The Internet is at the center of the story of how people’s relationship to news is changing. Six in ten Americans get news from a combination of online and offline sources on a typical day, and the Internet is now the third most popular news platform, behind local television news and national television news.

Mobile phones are changing the way Americans access the news, according to a Pew survey released today. A third of cell phone owners access news on their phones, according to a recent study.

Comcast wants help from Latino groups to push through their mega-deal with NBC. But before offering their stamp of approval, we hope Latino leaders will ask some important questions: Will the merger increase cable prices? Will Comcast try to reject labor agreements? Will the merger increase the representation of Latinos on network and cable programming?

The reckless behavior of big Wall Street banks, credit card companies, and mortgage lenders caused a financial crisis that cost us millions of lost homes and jobs, billions in tax-payer funded bailouts and trillions in lost college and retirement savings.

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A new study from the Pew Research Center on the changing news environment shows that political ties tend to determine the preferred point of view of the media coverage. And independents say they want more coverage of science, health and medicine, their local communities, U.S. domestic policy and international news -- without a point of view.

Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) has written to NBC to express concern that some of its Internet coverage of the Winter Olympics is limited to pay television subscribers. Kohl said he fears the practice of locking up certain content only for pay-TV subscribers may be a preview of what is to come, particularly in the context of the proposed Comcast/NBC Universal merger.

The Open Video Alliance, which pushes for more and better open-source tools to make, edit, showcase and access video, held a dramatic demonstration of the power of open source on Feb. 25. A speech by copyright guru Larry Lessig was beamed via open-source codec Ogg Theora to more than 40 venues around the world. American University was one of them; a group of the copyright-curious gathered to watch the speech, which was only occasionally garbled. Lessig spoke passionately about the vitality of remix, or read-write culture, and the need for “free/fair” copyright policies.

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One of the most impressive recent social documentaries, The Most Dangerous Man in America, has been nominated for an Academy Award. It tells the story of Daniel Ellsberg’s decision to release the Pentagon Papers—a story full of important parallels for today. The film is beginning its theatrical release, and we hope to bring it to campus soon. Meanwhile, there’s an excellent interview with directors Judy Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith in Filmmaker magazine this month, in which Rick references the Center’s work: “We had a very interesting experience with the fair-use issue.

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Google and Verizon became unlikely allies of sorts when they found some "common ground" in the Net Neutrality debate. But Google's head telecom counsel pointed out some key differences that remain in the companies' views toward the controversial issue

As the fight for Net Neutrality heats up again in Washington, the Huffington Post has been invaded by a legion of shills attacking the open Internet and disparaging reform efforts. The "Post Shill and Astroturf Watch" will shine a light on the shills, flacks and other fakers who are trying to pull one over on you.

A new poll of elementary and high school teachers, administrators and technology coordinators shows they lack the professional skills to adequately train students about cyber safety, security and ethics. Given students' increasing reliance on electronic media, the study notes the importance of teaching appropriate cyber surfing habits.

Virgin Media plans to start rolling out a broadband service providing speeds of up to 100Mbps to homes by the end of this year. The ISP currently provides broadband services at speeds going up to 10Mbps, 20Mbps and 50Mbps, depending on the chosen package.

The BBC will close two radio stations, shut half its website and cut spending heavily on imported American programmes in an overhaul of services to be announced next month. The proposals appear to be calibrated to appease the BBC's rivals in various markets.

Without more consumer-friendly and competition-friendly practices, the wireless industry will shift more and more toward consolidation and reduced choice and innovation. With a few simple reforms, the FCC could create a market where carriers have incentives to invest in service quality, and where meaningful competitive pressure reduces service price.

Two of Oregon's largest newspapers are cutting staff as the trend of layoffs in the media continues. The Register Guard announced that it has cut 14 staff members. At the Oregonian, the state's largest newspaper, 37 employees were laid off.

The sale of the Honolulu Advertiser to its rival sent shockwaves across the local media landscape. Oahu Publications, owner of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, will buy the Advertiser. The agreement calls for Oahu Publications to attempt a sale of the Star-Bulletin and for it to merge the two operations if a buyer cannot be found.