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Eddie Fritts Changes Channels
by Heather Greenfield
Eddie Fritts, the former president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters who now runs the Fritts Group, has officially registered as a lobbyist. Documents show that he will lobby on telecommunications policy for CBS, Cryen Call Communications, EarthLink, GoDaddy, ION Media Network, News Corp. and Vonage.
ION hopes Fritts will help with its interest in multicasting on cable and satellite. "We're using a boutique model, so we're eliminating conflicts between clients," Fritts said of his new firm. He said that means the firm charges more for its services.
Fritts said he feels fortunate the company has been able to attract "blue chip" clients. He expects to announce more clients soon.
In addition to recruiting broadcasters he had a relationship with at NAB, Fritts also brought along his long-time executive assistant, Lisa Keller; Kathy Ramsey, former executive vice president of public affairs at NAB; and John Lively, former director of government relations.
FCC's Tate Loses One Adviser, Gains Another
John Grant, a special adviser for policy to Federal Communications Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate, is trading his job at the FCC for one in the Senate. Grant will join the majority staff of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
"My loss is Senator Collins' gain," Tate said of panel Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine.. "Homeland Security is a crucial area in which to be serving our government at present, and I wish John the best in this new role."
Tate also announced that Chris Robbins has been assigned to her office to help with media issues. Robbins is currently an attorney adviser in the audio division of the FCC Media Bureau.
Before joining the commission, he was an attorney in the media practice group at the Wiley, Rein and Fielding law firm. He received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and his law degree from Vanderbilt University.
"Chris's knowledge and experience in dealing with a wide variety of media issues -- both in private practice and here at the commission -- will be extremely valuable as we embark upon a review of the media-ownership rules and other important matters," Tate said.
Leading Free-Market Scholar Joins Foundation
Richard Epstein, a distinguished-service professor of law at the University of Chicago, has been named a distinguished adjunct senior scholar at The Free State Foundation, a free-market think tank for Maryland, whose nickname is the Free State.
Epstein will contribute occasional articles for publication by the foundation and speak at its events. "Professor Epstein is one of the most revered and accomplished law professors in the nation and, indeed, the world," said Randolph May, president of the foundation.
"His many groundbreaking articles and books have led to a much greater appreciation for the jurisprudential principles that are the foundation for free markets, protection of individual and property rights, and promotion of the rule of law."
Internet2 Chief Engineer To Give Bush Tech Advice
Guy Almes has joined the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. The Internet2 chief engineer will help review the program on federal networking and information technology research and development, and he will report findings to the council.
Almes has been Internet2's chief engineer since 1997. He is the former founder and director of Sesquinet, a regional network for Texas universities and research organizations.
President Bush created PCAST in 2001 to receive advice from the private sector and academic community on technology and science issues. Over the years, PCAST has provided counsel on issues related to high-speed Internet service, IT competitiveness, and federal R&D investment.
Scientists, Engineers Win Presidential Awards
Twenty researchers supported by the National Science Foundation have won the Presidential Early Career Award, which is the highest honor the U.S. government bestows on scientists and engineers beginning independent careers.
The recipients include four computer and information scientists: Marina Bers of Tufts University; Thomas Martin of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; William Schuler of the University of Minnesota at Twin Cities; and Janet Wang of the University of Arizona.
Six engineers also are being honored: Silvia Ferrari of Duke University; Ashley James of the University of Minnesota at the Twin Cities; Scott Kelly and Michael Strano of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Suzie Pun of University of Washington; and James Smay of Oklahoma State University.
Five received awards in the mathematical and physical sciences: Eugene Billiot of Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi; Anna Mapp of the University of Michigan; Jonathan Mattingly of Duke University; Benjamin McCall of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and Aravinthan Samuel of Harvard University.
As for biological sciences, Rachel Brewster of the University of Maryland at Baltimore County, Tracy Johnson of the University of California at San Diego, and Rebeca Rosengaus of Northeastern University received the presidential honors.
It is the tenth anniversary for the award. The 20 scientists were among 56 others receiving funding from other federal agencies who also received the presidential honor.
New Blog Focuses On Internet Freedom
Those who want the latest news on the efforts of the Center for Democracy and Technology to keep the freedom of the Internet alive can check the center's new Web log. PolicyBeta is dedicated to expanding the dialogue about technology policy and civil liberties, and preserving democratic values in the digital age.
A Friday posting at PolicyBeta described the letters sent to Capitol Hill to fight legislation that would require Internet sites to label sexually explicit content.
CDT plans to have daily posts on issues ranging from domestic surveillance to secretly installed computer spyware. The blog also will feature detailed discussion on the latest trends and developments affecting the technology policy debate.
"PolicyBeta provides us an exciting opportunity, not just to discuss the developments we're observing but also to expand the dialogue on tech policy beyond the Beltway and into cyberspace," CDT Executive Director Leslie Harris said. "For an organization founded on the principle of bringing a wide variety of voices together at the same table, this represents an invaluable addition to our communications strategy."
Quote Of The Week
"I want to wait and see over the next month if there is pressure from the American people for these issues."
-- Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., on whether he will try to debate again the renewal of tax credits, a hike in the minimum wage and a cut in the estate tax individually or together.
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