Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The public television system in America is a group of 163 actively programming stations that serve the interests and needs of their local communities. Distinctive to the American public television system is its historical and current practice of exchanging programming produced by one public television station to others within the system through its national programming distribution service. This arrangement of program exchange among the stations allows them to be studied as a network of producing and programming stations. Because of the assumed importance of news and public affairs programming to a healthy and functioning democracy, attention to journalistic programming exchanges is of particular importance when studying the network. Guided by the theoretical frameworks of the marketplace of ideas, transaction cost economics, and social exchange, and utilizing network analysis, this paper considers how structurally diverse the news and public affairs schedule is for individual stations and the PBS network at large. Initial findings indicate a range of diversity at the local level and a concentration of news and public affairs production at the network level, suggesting a tension between the diversity principle of the marketplace of ideas and minimizing transaction costs.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: For many years, the visual distinction between print and broadcast media was clear, however the Internet and multimedia have almost completely dissolved the boundaries of traditional media on the web. The purpose of this research is to examine the content and design that contribute to the evolving visual convergence format of web newspapers, radio stations and television station websites. A content analysis of 282 web newspapers, 112 radio station websites and 128 television station websites found that while news media have increased their presence on the web, they are still working to move beyond imitation of format and repurposing content from traditional media. All media have improved in the design and presentation of their content however, limited audience interaction to mostly email, and few provided streaming or even downloadable media content. Data indicate distinctions in the format of content and design across news media websites, however, sameness to the format of content and design of websites within media type; though some variation occurred with respect to network affiliation, station format, market rank and circulation size.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, commenced deregulation of its broadcasting industry in the early 1990s by enacting a law establishing a broadcast regulatory agency, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), which licensed private broadcasters. The increasing globalization of broadcasting, made international media organizations (notably the BBC), to enter into agreement with some Nigerian private broadcasters to rebroadcast the foreign media’s news program live on the local FM/AM stations. However, last April, the NBC, citing possible harm of such broadcast to national interest, banned the live rebroadcasting of foreign media’s news and threatened sanctions. In the aftermath of the prohibition, the question asked is whether such a ban has any legality having regards to Section 39 of the constitution that guarantees freedom of expression and the right to receive and impart information. This paper examines the statutory, regulatory, and constitutional provisions as contained in the NBC Act, the National Broadcasting Code, and the Constitution respectively. The paper found that Constitutional freedoms are not absolute and Nigeria’s broadcast regulations, as they currently are, provide justification for the NBC action. Findings of this paper will add to our understanding of how nations of the global South craft legislation and regulations aimed at liberalizing broadcasting locally but curtailing the influence of global media organizations. The paper also enhances our understanding of the dynamics of media law in emerging democracies that are confronting the challenges of balancing broadcast deregulation and freedom of expression on the one hand with media control and regulation on the other hand.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The first centennial anniversary of broadcast regulation is upon us. Since 1912, federal laws have restricted foreign ownership of broadcast stations. Yet nowadays, American audiences can access programming originating from foreign sources on a multiplying array of digital media platforms. This study analyzes the legislative history of limits to foreign ownership of broadcast television and evaluates the rationale governing the restrictions within the context of the current digital media boom.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This paper details the design and implementation of an Election Day field study targeting the operation of polling stations. This pilot study represents the first systematic attempt to determine how common lines are on Election Day, at what times of day lines are most likely to form, bottlenecks in the voting process, and how long it takes an average citizen to cast his or her ballot. We collected data during the 2008 presidential primary election in California measuring the efficiency of the operational components of 30 polling stations across three counties. During the Election Day, voter arrivals peaked twice: in the early morning and the early evening. Our data also suggest that experienced poll workers are not more efficient than first-time poll workers, even controlling for age. We also find that voters who used a DRE machine took a full minute longer to cast their ballot than voters marking paper ballots that were subsequently scanned. This study illustrates the need for further and more extensive data collection about the operation of polling stations. The study also shows how better data can help election officials make critical decisions on the allocation of capital, labor and other resources.