"I can't recall any other story comparable," editor says; John Seigenthaler dies at 86, legendary advocate on race; director Links "border children" influx to U.S. policy; conservatives fill void in dwindling statehouse coverage; fellowship gives columnist an idea on gun violence; Va. paper supports decision to remove Confederate flag; NABJ members to vote on new constitution; Star-Ledger to move out of Newark; FCC seeks comments on Comcast-Time Warner Cable deal (7/11/14)"I Can't Recall Any Other Story Comparable," Editor Says
John Seigenthaler Dies at 86, Legendary Advocate on Race
Director Links "Border Children" Influx to U.S. Policy
Conservatives Fill Void in Dwindling Statehouse Coverage
Fellowship Gives Columnist an Idea on Gun Violence
FCC Seeks Comments on Comcast-Time Warner Cable Deal
"The Federal Communications Commission has released its schedule for the public and the media industry to weigh in on Comcast's proposed purchase of Time Warner Cable and its complex deal to trade some cable systems with Charter Communications,"Joe Flint reported Thursday for the Los Angeles Times.
"Comments and petitions seeking to block Comcast's deals are due on Aug. 25. Comcast will then have until Sept. 23rd to respond to those comments. Subsequent replies to Comcast's response are due on Oct. 8. . . "
Flint also wrote, "Many media watchdog groups and consumer activists have already voiced their intent to strongly oppose Comcast's deals. Earlier this week, satellite broadcaster Dish Network told the FCC that it should block Comcast from buying Time Warner Cable because the acquisition would give the cable giant too much power in the video and broadband marketplace. Netflix has also expressed concern about Comcast's plans. . . ."
The National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters said in a statement June 25, "NABOB is very interested in the review process, and we will have a number of questions to ask.
"For example, when Comcast announced the Time Warner deal, Comcast announced that it would need to [spin off] cable television systems serving approximately 3 million subscribers, valued at $17 billion. Because cable television systems can be sold in distinct metropolitan units, NABOB recognized immediately that this was an ideal opportunity for Comcast to [spin off] some of these cable television systems in several smaller transactions, which would provide African American entrepreneurs opportunities to purchase one or more of these cable television systems.
"In March, NABOB contacted Comcast and asked that they consider spinning off some cable television systems in smaller transactions. Unfortunately, Comcast did not respond to NABOB's request, and instead, announced that it will [spin off] all of the systems in a complicated deal with Charter Communications. . . .
"Another issue that NABOB will monitor with respect to the Comcast-Time Warner transaction is the extent to which Comcast commits to carry channels, such as TV One, on Comcast's basic tiers, so that consumers will not have to subscribe to high priced tiers to receive programing serving the African American community. . . ."