[PR] Steven Waldman Named To Lead Commission Effort On Future Of Media In A Changing Technological Landscape

WASHINGTON -- Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced today the appointment of Steven Waldman, a highly respected Internet entrepreneur and journalist, to lead an agency-wide initiative to assess the state of media in these challenging economic times and make recommendations designed to ensure a vibrant media landscape.

Earlier this month, the bipartisan Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy called for “new thinking” to “ensure the information opportunities of America's people and the information vitality of our democracy” and proposed FCC action. The Pew Project for Excellence in Journalism has highlighted the dire circumstances for newspapers, and both the Knight report and a recent study from Columbia Graduate School of Journalism called for a full reassessment of the media marketplace both inside and outside of government, including at the FCC.

Waldman is the Co-Founder, President, and Editor-in-Chief of Beliefnet.com, the largest multi-faith Web site for religion and inspiration, and served as its CEO from 2002 until 2007, when it was acquired by News Corporation. Under his leadership, Beliefnet won the top editorial awards on the Internet, including the General Excellence Award from the Online News Association and the National Magazine Award for General Excellence Online.

Waldman, who will join the Office of Strategic Planning and serve as Senior Advisor to the Chairman, will work with the relevant FCC bureaus and lead an open, fact-finding process to craft recommendations to meet the traditional goals of serving the public interest and making sure that all Americans receive the information, educational content, and news they seek. He will step down from Beliefnet and News Corporation and discontinue his blog and the regular column he writes for Wall Street Journal Online.

“A strong consensus has developed that we're at a pivotal moment in the history of the media and communications, because of game-changing new technologies as well as the economic downturn,” said Genachowski. “Highly respected entities have called on the FCC to assess these issues. At such a moment, it is important to ensure that our policies promote a vibrant media landscape that furthers long-standing goals of serving the information needs of communities. The initiative is intended to identify the best ideas for achieving those goal, while recognizing that government must be scrupulous in abiding by the First Amendment and never dictating or controlling the content of the news or other communications protected by the First Amendment.”

“Steve Waldman is uniquely qualified to look at this shifting terrain and make sure we meet this moment wisely,” Genachowski said. “He was an award-winning journalist in traditional media and then became an Internet pioneer -- launching, running, and bringing to profitability one of the great content success stories. He's also known for his even-handedness and has garnered respect from people of widely different ideologies and approaches.”

Before creating Beliefnet, Waldman served as National Editor of US News & World Report and was National Correspondent for Newsweek . He's author of the New York Times bestseller FOUNDING FAITH: Providence, Politics, and the Birth of Religious Freedom in America. He also served as Senior Advisor to the CEO of the Corporation for National Service in the 1990s. His work has appeared in numerous publications including The Wall Street Journal , The Washington Post, National Review Online, Huffington Post, The Atlantic, ChristianityToday.com, The Washington Monthly and Slate .

He has been a regular commentator on national television and radio programs including Fox & Friends, Fox Business, Good Morning America, The Today Show, CNN Headline News, ABC World News With Charles Gibson, NPR's All Things Considered and On the Media , and many others. He was named a “Spiritual Innovator” by Time magazine.

“I'm excited by many of the new media's innovations and, at the same time, concerned about the challenges facing American journalism, which potentially harm citizens' ability to get information they need and hold leaders accountable,” said Waldman. “Most solutions will come from the private and nonprofit sectors. But government rules already affect the media landscape in profound ways so it's imperative that we both vigorously protect the First Amendment and determine which media policies make sense, which don't. Unwise government policies can undermine business models and hinder innovation. Smart policy can help businesses, facilitate innovation, and ensure a thriving media marketplace.”

--FCC--

STEVEN WALDMAN NAMED TO LEAD COMMISSION EFFORT ON FUTURE OF MEDIA IN A CHANGING TECHNOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE. News Release. News Media Contact: Jen Howard at (202) 418-0506, email: Jen.Howard@fcc.gov OCH
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/ edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC- 294328A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/ edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC- 294328A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/ edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC- 294328A1.txt

[FCC RFC] Preserving the Open Internet NPRM

10/22/09 News Release: Word | Acrobat

In the next chapter of a longstanding effort to preserve the free and open Internet, the Federal Communications Commission is seeking public input on draft rules that would codify and supplement existing Internet openness principles.

In addition to providing greater predictability for all stakeholders, the Notice is aimed at securing the many economic and social benefits that an open Internet has historically provided. It seeks to do so in a manner that will promote and protect the legitimate needs of consumers, broadband Internet access service providers, entrepreneurs, investors, and businesses of all sizes that make use of the Internet.

The Commission has addressed openness issues in a variety of contexts and proceedings, including: a unanimous policy statement in 2005 , a notice of inquiry on broadband industry practices in 2007 , public comment on several petitions for rulemaking , conditions associated with significant communications industry mergers, the rules for the 700 MHz spectrum auction in 2007 , specific enforcement actions, and public en banc hearings. During this time period, opportunities for public participation have generated over 100,000 pages of input in approximately 40,000 filings from interested parties and members of the public.

The process today's Notice initiates will build upon the existing record at the Commission to identify the best means to achieve the goal of preserving and promoting the open Internet.

Recognizing that the proposed framework needs to balance potentially competing interests while helping to ensure an open, safe, and secure Internet, the draft rules would permit broadband Internet access service providers to engage in reasonable network management, including but not limited to reasonable practices to reduce or mitigate the effects of network congestion.

Under the draft proposed rules, subject to reasonable network management, a provider of broadband Internet access service:

1. would not be allowed to prevent any of its users from sending or receiving the lawful content of the user's choice over the Internet;
2. would not be allowed to prevent any of its users from running the lawful applications or using the lawful services of the user's choice;
3. would not be allowed to prevent any of its users from connecting to and using on its network the user's choice of lawful devices that do not harm the network;
4. would not be allowed to deprive any of its users of the user's entitlement to competition among network providers, application providers, service providers, and content providers;
5. would be required to treat lawful content, applications, and services in a nondiscriminatory manner; and
6. would be required to disclose such information concerning network management and other practices as is reasonably required for users and content, application, and service providers to enjoy the protections specified in this rulemaking.

The draft rules make clear that providers would also be permitted to address harmful traffic and traffic unwanted by users, such as spam, and prevent both the transfer of unlawful content, such as child pornography, and the unlawful transfer of content, such as a transfer that would infringe copyright. Further, nothing in the draft rules supersedes any obligation a broadband Internet access service provider may have -- or limits its ability -- to deliver emergency communications, or to address the needs of law enforcement, public safety, or national or security authorities, consistent with applicable law.

The Commission is also seeking comment on how it should address “managed” or “specialized” services, which are Internet-Protocol-based offerings provided over the same networks used for broadband Internet access services. While the proceeding will seek input on how best to define and treat such services, managed services could include voice, video, and enterprise business services, or specialized applications like telemedicine, smart grid, or eLearning offerings. These services may provide consumer benefits and lead to increased deployment of broadband networks.

The Notice asks how the Commission should define the category of managed or specialized services, what policies should apply to them, and how to ensure that broadband providers' ability to innovate, develop valuable new services, and experiment with new technologies and business models can co-exist with the preservation of the free and open Internet on which consumers and businesses of all sizes depend.

The Notice affirms that the six principles it proposes to codify would apply to all platforms for broadband Internet access, including mobile wireless broadband, while recognizing that different access platforms involve significantly different technologies, market structures, patterns of consumer usage, and regulatory history. To that end, the Notice seeks comment on how, in what time frames or phases, and to what extent the principles should apply to non-wireline forms of broadband Internet access, including mobile wireless.

Recognizing that the Commission's decisions in this rulemaking must reflect a thorough understanding of current technology and future technological trends, the Chief of the Commission's Office of Engineering & Technology will create an inclusive, open, and transparent process for obtaining the best technical advice and information from a broad range of engineers.

The adoption of this Notice will open a window for submitting comments to the FCC. Comments can be filed through the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System, and are due on Thursday, January 14. Reply comments are due on Friday, March 5. In addition, the rulemaking process will include many other avenues for public input, including open workshops on key issues; providing feedback through openinternet.gov, which will include regular blog posts by Commission staff; and other new media tools, including IdeaScale, an online platform for brainstorming and rating solutions to policy challenges.

Action by the Commission, October 22, 2009, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 09-93). Chairman Genachowski, Commissioners Copps and Clyburn; Commissioner McDowell and Commissioner Baker concurring in part, dissenting in part. Separate statements issued by Chairman Genachowski, Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn and Baker.

GN Docket No.: 09-191 - WC Docket No.: 07-52

10/22/09 Commission Seeks Public Input on Draft Rules to Preserve the Free and Open Internet. NPRM: Word | Acrobat

News Release: Word | Acrobat
Genachowski Statement: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
McDowell Statement: Word | Acrobat
Clyburn Statement: Word | Acrobat
Baker Statement: Word | Acrobat
Staff Presentation: Acrobat

Notice of Inquiry: Empowering Parents and Protecting Children in an Evolving Media Landscape

Washington, D.C.: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today released a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) asking how children can be served and protected and parents can be further empowered in the new digital media landscape. The NOI comes almost 20 years after enactment of the Children's Television Act and follows the Commission's recently issued Child Safe Viewing Act Report, which examined parental control technologies for video and audio programming.

Children live in a dramatically different media environment from the one their parents and grandparents grew up in decades ago. From television to mobile devices to the Internet, electronic media today offer an array of opportunities to, among other things, access educational content, communicate with family and peers, and acquire the skills and technological literacy necessary to compete in a global economy. However, digital media can also pose risks of harm to children, including exposing them to exploitative advertising, inappropriate content, and cyberbullying, as well as potentially contributing to childhood obesity and other negative health impacts. The NOI asks to what extent children are using electronic media today, the benefits and risks this presents, and the ways in which parents, teachers, and children can help reap the benefits while minimizing the risks of using these technologies.

The NOI also recognizes that a wealth of academic research and studies exists on these issues and asks commenters to identify additional data and studies, and to indicate where further study is needed. The NOI additionally seeks comment about the effectiveness of media literacy efforts in enabling children to enjoy the benefits of media while minimizing the potential harms. The NOI recognizes that other federal agencies are addressing similar issues, at least with respect to online safety, and asks what the Commission can do to assist with these efforts. The deadline for filing comments is 60 days after publication in the federal register and the deadline for filing reply comments is 90 days after publication in the federal register.

Action by the Commission October 23, 2009, by Notice of Inquiry (FCC 09-94). Chairman Genachowski, Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn and Baker issuing separate statements. MB Docket No. 09-194.

10/23/09 Commission Seeks Input on Empowering Parents and Protecting Children in an Evolving Media Landscape.
NOI: Word http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-09-94A1.doc
Acrobat http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-09-94A1.pdf
News Release: Word http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-294197A1.doc
Acrobat http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-294197A1.pdf

Comments Sought On Broadband Study Conducted By The Berkman Center For Internet And Society

GN Docket Nos. 09-47, 09-51, 09-137 Comment Due:  November 16, 2009

On July 14, the Commission announced in a press release that
Harvard University's Berkman Center for Internet and Society would
conduct an expert review of existing literature and studies about broadband deployment and usage throughout the world to inform the Commission's development of a National Broadband Plan. 

A draft of the study has now been completed.  The
Commission is seeking public comment on the study, and has posted the draft for public review at the following Internet address:  http://www.fcc.gov/stag/pdf/Berkman_Center_Broadband_Study_13Oct09.pdf.

Specifically, the Commission seeks comment on the following:

1.       Does the study accomplish its intended purposes?

2.       Does the study provide a complete and objective survey of the subject matter?

3.       How accurately and comprehensively does the study summarize the broadband experiences of other countries?

4.       How much weight should the Commission give to this study as it develops a National Broadband Plan?

5.       Are additional studies needed along the lines of the Berkman study?

6.       Please provide any other comments on the Berkman study that you deem relevant.

. . . . .

All comments should refer to GN Docket Nos. 09-47, 09-51 and 09-137. 
Please title comments responsive to this Notice as "Comments – NBP
Public Notice # 13."  Further, we strongly encourage parties to develop responses to this Notice that adhere to the organization and structure of the questions in this Notice. 

Comments may be filed using (1) the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), (2) the Federal Government's eRulemaking Portal, or (3) by filing paper copies.[1]  Comments can be filed through the Commission's ECFS filing interface located at the following Internet address: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/.  Comments can also be filed via the Federal eRulemaking Portal:  http://www.regulations.gov.[2] 

. . . . .

For further information about this Public Notice, please contact Randy
Clarke at (202) 418-1500.

- FCC -

NBP Public Notice # 13 DA 09-2217 Released:  October 14, 2009

10/14/09 Comments Sought on Broadband Study Conducted by The Berkman
Center for Internet and Society. Public Notice:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-2217A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-2217A1.pdf

 

It's Cyber Security Awareness Month!

DHS or the National Cyber Security Alliance or someone has declared October National Cyber Security Awareness Month. So if you aren't already aware of your personal information getting pillaged on Facebook by the "What Star Trek Character Are You" application -- or having your computer infected by the "Your Computer May Already be Infected - Download This Tool Now" pop up add," -- or that there is a deposed leader in Nigeria that wants to share $10 million with you -- NOW it a good time to become aware of such things!

And what better time to point out that the good folks at OnGuard Online (a joint effort of a bunch of federal agencies and NGOs) have just released their latest: NetCetera: Chatting with Kids about Being Online.

In Net Cetera: Chatting With Kids About Being Online, OnGuard Online gives adults practical tips to help kids navigate the online world.

Kids and parents have many ways of socializing and communicating online, but they come with certain risks. This guide encourages parents to reduce the risks by talking to kids about how they communicate – online and off – and helping kids engage in conduct they can be proud of. Net Cetera covers what parents need to know, where to go for more information, and issues to raise with kids about living their lives online.

OnGuard Online encourages you to use this guide with your kids, in your school, at your PTA meeting, or anywhere else parents might gather. Feel free to order as many free copies as you’d like, put your own sticker on it, reprint sections in a newsletter or on a website, download a button or link to it, or even reprint it with your own logo. These materials are in the public domain.

To order free copies of Net Cetera, visit bulkorder.ftc.gov. To find out more about reprinting the guide, contact OnGuardOnline@ftc.gov.

OnGuard Online is seeking to partner with school districts on a pilot program using this guide. If your school district might be interested, please contact us at OnGuardOnline@ftc.gov.

There are lots of worms, viruses and other beasties out there on the Internet. You can do a lot to protect yourself and decrease your risks. But ya gotta be smart. I am always amazed by my friends who get lots of telemarketing calls and then complain about them. I ask, "well, at the check out stand when they ask for your phone number, do you give it to them??" They pause with a dumb look on their faces. "Well sure, but..." I shake my head. Dont give no personal information to no one. Dont use your correct birthday. Dont list your actual height. In fact, pretty much make up an entirely fictional character and then live vicariously through it! (okay, joking). Be smart out there; it a dangerous marvelous Internet.

Press Release: Commerce's NTIA and ICANN Establish a Long-Lasting Framework for the Technical Coordination of the Internet’s Domain Name and Addressing System

For Immediate Release: September 30, 2009
Contact:  Shannon Gilson at 202-482-4883

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today that it has reached an agreement with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) that establishes a long-lasting framework for the technical coordination of the Internet's domain name and addressing system (DNS).

NTIA and ICANN co-signed an Affirmation of Commitments that completes the transition of the technical management of the DNS to a multi-stakeholder, private-sector-led model. The Affirmation ensures accountability and transparency in ICANN's decision-making with the goal of protecting the interests of global Internet users.  The Affirmation also establishes mechanisms to address the security, stability, and resiliency of the Internet DNS as well as promote competition, consumer trust, and consumer choice.

"Today's announcement bolsters the long-term viability of the Internet as a force for innovation, economic growth, and freedom of expression," said Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling.  "This framework puts the public interest front and center, and it establishes processes for stakeholders around the world to review ICANN's performance. The Affirmation of Commitments also reinforces a long-standing relationship between ICANN and the Department of Commerce. The Department looks forward to playing an active role along with other stakeholders in ensuring that ICANN is successful, accountable, and transparent."

The Affirmation is consistent with public comments submitted to NTIA earlier this year that reflected strong support for the model of multi-stakeholder, private-sector-led coordination of the DNS that ICANN represents, but also expressed continuing concerns about ICANN's transparency and accountability in decision-making.

The DNS is a critical component of the Internet infrastructure that works like a telephone directory, allowing users to send e-mail and to reach Web sites using easy-to-understand domain names (e.g., http://commerce.gov) rather than the numeric network server addresses (e.g., http://170.110.225.163) of the computers on the Internet.

U.S. Department of Commerce's NTIA serves as the executive branch agency principally responsible for advising the President on communications and information policy.  For more information about the NTIA, visit www.ntia.doc.gov.

# # #

• Affirmation of Commitments (Acrobat PDF 1.9Mb)

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2009/ICANN_Affirmation_090930.html

FTC Seeks Public Comments on the Future of the News Media in the Internet Age

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comments in advance of upcoming workshops that will explore the Internet's impact on the news media, including the new avenues for innovation and the financial challenges that it has created for the industry. The workshops on Dec. 1-2, 2009 will consider a wide range of issues, such as Internet-related changes in advertising and the way people receive news, ideas for reducing costs and restructuring news organizations, potential for-profit and non-profit models for journalism, and the evolving competition among news organizations.

In a notice to be published in the Federal Register, the FTC is asking for input on a series of questions to be addressed in the workshops, including:

    • How is the Internet changing the way consumers access news and how advertising dollars are spent?

    • What economic challenges do news organizations face today?

    • What cost-cutting measures have news organizations considered? Which have they adopted, and how have they affected the provision of news to consumers?

    • What collaborations are news organizations undertaking or considering to deal with financial challenges brought about by the Internet?

    • How is the Internet changing the way news organizations and others research, write, edit, produce, and distribute news?

    • What innovative forms of journalism have emerged due to the Internet?

    • What are the business models, including the revenue sources, for journalism on the Internet?

    • How are news organizations likely to compete for audience and advertising in the future?

    • Are new or changed government policies needed to support optimal amounts and types of journalism, including public affairs coverage?

    • Should the tax code be modified to provide special status or tax breaks to all or certain types of news organizations?

    • Do current U.S. copyright protections provide enough incentive to create news content?

    • Should the federal government provide additional funding for news organizations?

The Commission will consider comments received by November 6, 2009, in preparing for the workshops; later comments will be accepted as well.

Participants in the FTC workshops will include journalists, editors, owners, and other representatives of news organizations, online advertisers, new media representatives (such as bloggers and local news Web sites), consumer advocates, academics, economists, and government officials. The FTC will post an agenda for the workshops at a later time.

The workshops will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the FTC's satellite building conference center, located at 601 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC. All attendees will be required to display a current driver's license or other form of photo identification for entry.

For more information about the workshops, please visit http://www.ftc.gov/opp/workshops/news/index.shtml. To file comments, visit: http://public.commentworks.com/ftc/newsmediaworkshop. The Commission vote approving the Federal Register notice announcing the workshops and soliciting public comments was 4-0.

Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Requests for such accommodations should be submitted via e-mail to: cmcglothin@ftc.gov or by calling Carrie McGlothin at 202-326-3388. Such requests should include a detailed description of the accommodations needed and a way to contact you if we need more information.

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC's Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC's Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. The FTC works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC's online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,700 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC's Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics.

MEDIA CONTACT:
    Office of Public Affairs
    202-326-2180
STAFF CONTACT:
    Jessica Hoke
    Office of Policy Planning
    202-326-3291

(FTC File No. P091200)
(MediaWorkshop) For Release: 09/30/2009
FTC Seeks Public Comments on the Future of the News Media in the Internet Age

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comments in advance of upcoming workshops that will explore the Internet's impact on the news media, including the new avenues for innovation and the financial challenges that it has created for the industry. The workshops on Dec. 1-2, 2009 will consider a wide range of issues, such as Internet-related changes in advertising and the way people receive news, ideas for reducing costs and restructuring news organizations, potential for-profit and non-profit models for journalism, and the evolving competition among news organizations.

In a notice to be published in the Federal Register, the FTC is asking for input on a series of questions to be addressed in the workshops, including:

    • How is the Internet changing the way consumers access news and how advertising dollars are spent?

    • What economic challenges do news organizations face today?

    • What cost-cutting measures have news organizations considered? Which have they adopted, and how have they affected the provision of news to consumers?

    • What collaborations are news organizations undertaking or considering to deal with financial challenges brought about by the Internet?

    • How is the Internet changing the way news organizations and others research, write, edit, produce, and distribute news?

    • What innovative forms of journalism have emerged due to the Internet?

    • What are the business models, including the revenue sources, for journalism on the Internet?

    • How are news organizations likely to compete for audience and advertising in the future?

    • Are new or changed government policies needed to support optimal amounts and types of journalism, including public affairs coverage?

    • Should the tax code be modified to provide special status or tax breaks to all or certain types of news organizations?

    • Do current U.S. copyright protections provide enough incentive to create news content?

    • Should the federal government provide additional funding for news organizations?

The Commission will consider comments received by November 6, 2009, in preparing for the workshops; later comments will be accepted as well.

Participants in the FTC workshops will include journalists, editors, owners, and other representatives of news organizations, online advertisers, new media representatives (such as bloggers and local news Web sites), consumer advocates, academics, economists, and government officials. The FTC will post an agenda for the workshops at a later time.

The workshops will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the FTC's satellite building conference center, located at 601 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC. All attendees will be required to display a current driver's license or other form of photo identification for entry.

For more information about the workshops, please visit http://www.ftc.gov/opp/workshops/news/index.shtml. To file comments, visit: http://public.commentworks.com/ftc/newsmediaworkshop. The Commission vote approving the Federal Register notice announcing the workshops and soliciting public comments was 4-0.

Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Requests for such accommodations should be submitted via e-mail to: cmcglothin@ftc.gov or by calling Carrie McGlothin at 202-326-3388. Such requests should include a detailed description of the accommodations needed and a way to contact you if we need more information.

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC's Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC's Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. The FTC works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC's online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,700 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC's Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics.

MEDIA CONTACT:
    Office of Public Affairs
    202-326-2180
STAFF CONTACT:
    Jessica Hoke
    Office of Policy Planning
    202-326-3291

(FTC File No. P091200)
(MediaWorkshop)

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/09/media.shtm