Reviews legal and practical aspects of a university's potential liability for fraud, waste, and abuse. Discusses the array of criminal, civil, and administrative sanctions that may be imposed on grantees who engage in fraudulent practices. (84 references) (MLF)

From 1969 to 1993 the definition of program length commercials has not been consistent. The FCC's first involvement with program length commercials was in 1969 when "Hot Wheels," a cartoon based on Mattel Corporation's Hot Wheels cars, was alleged to be nothing more than a 30 minute commercial. The FCC made no formal ruling but did…

This paper examines the role that standard-setting plays in the adoption and growth of new technologies, particularly in the development of electronic media. Background on technological standardization is provided in the first section, including discussions of the costs and benefits of standardization and the timing of standards setting. The…

Great attention is being paid to the current high definition television (HDTV) system proposals that are being examined by the Federal Communications Commission Advisory Committee, and due to be tested over the next few years by the Advanced Television Test Center and by Cable Television Laboratories. Arguing that the focus of this activity has…

In August 1978, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) began studying the question of how to increase the diversity and coverage of television broadcast services either by modifying the television translator rules or by creating a new low power television service (LPTV). In Septemer 1980, the FCC finally adopted a "Notice of Proposed…

That competition in broadcasting may not bring about sufficiently heterogeneous programing has long been the subject of debate among policymakers, and nowhere has that debate been more acrimonious than in its application to the diversification of radio formats. While the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prefers to leave questions of…

This basic, entry-level guidebook introduces public broadcasters to videotext or teletext technology and the range of services it can provide. Following an explanation of basic terms and a review of the early history of videotext, a summary of research findings from commercial and public trials of teletext addresses such topics as consumer…

The effectiveness of Section 315 of the Communications Act of 1934 and its 1959 amendments, which allows "equal broadcast time" to opposing political candidates, is assessed in terms of insuring the public's right to know and of the broadcasters' claim to First Amendment protection. Questions regarding the regulation's structure and…

This paper contains transcripts of two speeches given by the chairperson of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) outlining his philosophy concerning the function of that agency and its relationship to the telecommunications industry. The first transcript discusses the primary management objectives identified by the FCC as follows: (1) to…

This report reviews some of the efforts to license news reporters. The review summarizes court litigation concerning city and state legislation and federal efforts to screen or regulate the movements of journalists covering political news events. Highlighting the report are discussions of the United States Secret Service's role in issuing White…

The Communications Act of 1934 is no longer adequate as a statement of United States national policy. The events of the last ten years in the domestic marketplace have shown that a national policy favoring competition in the provision of telecommunications services can now bring significantly greater benefits to the consumer than a national policy…

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) collects information in seven areas: foods, cosmetics, human drugs, animal drugs and feeds, medical devices, biologics, and electronic radiological products. By using procedures outlined in the Freedom of Information Act, the public may get specific information from such FDA files as inspection…

Argues that the FCC prefers an unregulated marketplace for children's programing, but that it has not been shown that the marketplace will work for this program type. (FL)

Assesses the development of videotex, an information system involving both computers and communications, noting efforts in Europe, Canada, and the United States. Federal regulations in the telecommunications industry, technical standards for videotex, and the production of videotex system components are discussed. (EJS)

Highlights the new copyright law as it applies to television and films, particularly the concept of fair use. Discusses the problems the new law has presented to the educational use of copyrighted video and film material and suggests that such users organize to present their position more effectively. (JMF)