Third annual Communications Law and Policy event Feb. 23 focuses on ‘modern challenges’

Third annual Communications Law and Policy event Feb. 23 focuses on ‘modern challenges’February 14, 2008Jaclyn D. Grossojgrosso@law.syr.edu

The Communications Law and Policy Society (CLPS) at Syracuse University College of Law, in conjunction with the New York Chapter of the Federal Communications Bar Association, will host its 3rd Annual Communications Law and Policy Symposium on Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Genesee Grande Hotel in Syracuse from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

“FCCbook: Evolving Communications Law to Embrace Modern Challenges,” presented by AT&T, will feature presentations, panels and speakers addressing issues at the core of the intersection of law, policy, media and information technology.

“The symposium will help foster dialogue among the various fields of communications that are playing an ever-more important role in this era of globalization and emerging technologies,” says Kyle Somers, president of the Communications Law and Policy Society.

The year’s presentations include “The FCC: A Year in Review and Communications” and “Technology Issues in the 2008 Presidential Elections.”

Additional panels throughout the day will include “The Future of Radio,” “The Free and Open Internet,” “Free Speech Regulation Panel,” “Disability and Equal Access Issues in Communications Law and Policy” and “Hot Issues in Cable and Broadcasting.”

“This year’s program brings together experts in traditional and new technologies for what is certain to be an insightful and thoughtful conversation,” says LaVonda N. Reed, assistant professor of law and CLPS advisor.

Confirmed speakers include representatives from AT&T, Google, Microsoft, Lenovo, NAB, NCTA, CTIA, Pandora Music, Future of Music Coalition, Clear Channel Radio, Fletcher Heald & Hildreth, PLC, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP, Patton Boggs LLP, the National Council for Disability, the Tully Center for Free Speech and the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University. Mike Feazel, executive editor of Communications Daily, will moderate.

As part of this event, the CLPS will host a discussion with Tim Westergren, the founder of Pandora Radio, on Friday, Feb. 22, from 1-3 p.m. in Newhouse 3, room 205. In addition, a speaker’s dinner will also be held on Feb. 22 at the Genesee Grande Hotel at 6 p.m. The dinner keynote speaker is Donna Gregg, senior policy advisor, for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Members of the public are invited to attend, and may register online.

SU students and faculty can register now at http://www.SUCLPS.org. All others interested in attending can register at http://www.FCBA.org. Registration runs until Feb. 15.

In conjunction with the symposium, the Syracuse Science and Technology Law Reporter (SSTLR) will be posting exclusive information regarding the symposium, as well as academic papers submitted by the speakers. The Syracuse Science and Technology Law Reporter, one of only a handful of law journals dealing exclusively with science and technology-related issues, has been publishing cutting-edge student and practitioner papers since 1998.