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Will the Citizens United ruling impact net neutrality? This article explores the arguments on both sides, as well as the role of an ISP.

In his feisty opening statement, Franken said: "I worked for NBC for many years. And what I know from my previous career has given me reason to be concerned--let me rephrase that, very concerned--about the potential merger of Comcast and NBC Universal. The media are our source of entertainment, but they're also the way we get our information about the world. So when the same company that produces the programs runs the pipes that bring us those programs, we have a reason to be nervous.... You'll have to excuse me if I don't just trust their promises and that is from experience in this business." The former SNL star and entertainment industry insider-turned-Senator is dead on with his concerns. As Free Press--the media reform advocacy organization founded by The Nation's John Nichols, media scholar Robert McChesney, and current executive director Josh Silver-- points out, the merger would result in Comcast controlling one in every five television viewing hours. It would lead to fewer choices of what you can watch and how you can watch it. Those cable bills that continue to rise would rise even higher, and if you don't use Comcast you might have to pay a premium to get NBC's shows. There will be even less access to local and independent programming as Comcast would promote NBC's shows at their expense. And, finally, there's the even larger issue of concentrating power and limiting access to free public interest media.

The NY Times breaks ranks and announces a new plan to charge frequent users of their online site. Will this new economic model work?

"A group of 25 Liberal Democrat candidates has penned an open letter urging the party to rethink its bid to cut off sites accused of copyright infringement. The Lib Dems' Lord Clement Jones successfully tabled an amendment to the Digital Economy Bill which would give courts the power to force ISPs to block sites accused of copyright infringement." The policy has been attacked as "dangerous" by civil liberties campaigners, who \nfear it swings the balance of power in favour of copyright holders and could harm free speech."

Can the paywall model compete with free content? The head of digital media at News Corp. seems to think so

"Comcast Chairman Brian Roberts and NBC Universal President & CEO Jeff Zucker faced a barrage of questions Feb. 25 in a marathon--over five hours with one break--hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on their proposed joint venture, their third Hill visit in as many weeks as they push for government approval of their $30 billion joint venture.\nDuring that time, the pair defended their records on diversity, and in some cases pledged to do better, reiterated their pledges to keep NBC free and over the air, and their programming available to competitive distributors."

NBC's current online coverage of the Olympics is discussed in light of the online technology and the use of "cable verification" to establish new online models limiting free content.

Columnists are struggling to survive in today's media landscape. At best, they are hanging in there. Only about 20% are actual employees of newspapers rather than free-lance writers. Some columnists are writing blogs and books instead. But, like we mentioned in class last week, it is very very difficult to generate income from blog writing.

EA's current strategy to bundle codes for free downloadable content with new copies of its games has been dubbed "project ten dollar" and put by some critics on the list of Very Bad Things That Will Hurt Consumers.

Universal Music Group is using music download service Grooveshark for offering pre 1972 Universal Recordings for free without permission.

FreeAllMusic.com offers free downloads in exchange for active engagement with ads. "iTunes meets Hulu." Says that rather than paying for songs, viewers select among a menu of ads to watch. Leads to active engagement and better retention, which allows charging higher ad rates.

"Media-ownership rules should be loosened to allow more consolidation and attract capital to the industry, representatives of the investment community said Tuesday at a Federal Communications Commission workshop on how the agency might change ownership rules later this year."

At an FCC workshop, industry representatives argue for relaxed media-ownership rules to allow more consolidation and to attract capital to the industry. FCC officials are looking at what the agency can do to improve the health of the newspapers, TV and radio stations, which continue to lose customers and advertising revenue to online competitors.

Has the consumer been neglected in the panel debates about FCC media ownership issues?

Network television and cable networks have a bright future, despite the inroads of TiVo and the threat of free video on the Web. And book publishers may also see growth in the years ahead, if they can learn to relax and love the e-reader. Newspapers, however, can pretty much pack it in.

Starting in 2011, The New York Times will only allow a reader a certain number of free articles, and then they will start to charge for web access.

Congressional hearings for the Comcast/NBC case are scheduled for Feb. 4. There are many opponents to the deal, including consumer activists and media watchdogs, Local affiliates are concerned that Comcast could "gradually migrate some or all of the most compelling sports, news and entertainment programming and talent away from free, over-the-air distribution on NBC to its newly owned cable channels that are made available only to paying subscribers, such as Bravo and USA Network."

Feb. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Comcast Corp.'s proposed takeover of NBC Universal would test the future of free, over-the-air television, U.S. Representative Henry Waxman said as Congress began considering the deal. "Many are concerned that this transaction could result in the best of NBC's programming being transitioned to a pay-TV service," Waxman, a California Democrat and chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said today.

Television content will only be accessible online to those who currently pay for cable television.

"One provision, a "Mobile Future Auction," calls for a spectrum auction that allows current licensees, including broadcasters, to voluntarily give up spectrum in exchange for a share of auction proceeds. This provision, which has drawn the ire of the National Association of Broadcasters trade group, is one element of a plan to free up 500 MHz of spectrum over the next decade for mobile broadband use."

Hulu is free Internet TV in a sea of subscription. The portal is said to be making very little once all money is divided up among its partners.