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Title
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Mediasat: The use of remote-sensing satellites by news agencies
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Date
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1987
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Summary
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Some members of the news media are interested in the possible use of a remote sensing satellite system for news gathering, referred to here as Mediasat. The technology is available to build and operate it, but it is not clear whether there is sufficient demand to finance a Mediasat system. This paper addresses issues relating to Mediasat, including: national security limits on sensor technology, international reaction to Mediasat, and existing legislation on private remote sensing satellites. Currently, the Unites States has a limit on the resolution of sensors that can fly on civilian satellites. If the media wants to fly higher resolution sensors, they may have to challenge these national security restrictions. However, if the United States does not develop higher resolution satellites, some fear that other countries will, causing the United states to lose its lead in civilian remote sensing satellite technology. The Land Remote-Sensing Commercialization Act of 1984 designated the Department of Commerce as the licensor of new remote sensing satellites, and reinforces the role of the Deparment of Defense in overseeing national security interests in the licensing process. There is some concern that the Department of Commerce or Defense might invoke national security limitations when they were not necessary, thus restricting the freedom of the press. Other countries could react negatively to the publication of more detailed remote sensing images of their countries. Although there have been proposals for an international system to operate an advanced remote sensing or reconnaissance satellite for peaceful purposes, these proposals have not proceeded.
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Title
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Most-favored-nation treatment of foreign trading partners by the United States: A summary
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Date
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1987
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Summary
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"Most-favored-nation" (MFN) status entitles the country to which it has been granted to the same advantages that have been extended by granting country to any other country; MFN treatment, consequently, means in fact: nondiscriminatory, equal treatment. The United States extends the MFN treatment in foreign trade to all countries except to most Communist countries. Generally, MFN status can be granted by the United States to Communist country only if the latter's emigration policy is substantially nonrestrictive. Under this procedure, in effect since 1975, MFN status has been extended to Romania, Hungary, and China, which together with the earlier Communist MFN beneficiaries, Poland and Yugoslavia, are the only Communist countries to which the United States accords the MFN status.
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Title
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Minority ownership of broadcast facilities: A summary of federal communications commission's policies and rules
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Date
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1987
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Summary
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In James Steele vs. FCC, 770 F. 2d 1192 (D.C. Circ. 1985), which involved the award of a broadcast license to a woman using in part a preference system that allowed the Commission to award the license despite the existence of a competing application from a more broadcast-experienced male, a Federal appeals court in a two-to-one ruling in August 1985, struck down preferences for women in awarding FCC licenses. This report reviews the event that led to the FCC's original decision to implement a minority preference system in awarding broadcast licenses, and summarizes chronologically FCC policies and rules that have been implemented since then to increase minority ownership. An assessment of the effects such policies and rules have had on minority broadcast ownership is also provided. This is followed by a discussion of congressional reaction to the FCC's position on preferences and legislative initiatives that have been introduced to date in support of diversifying ownership of broadcast facilities.
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Title
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State laws limiting liability of food donors
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Date
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1987
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Summary
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This report lists state laws limiting the liability of donors who give food to charitable organizations or food banks and of charitable organizations or food banks who distribute food.
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Title
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Social service programs: Reagan administration's FY 1988 budget proposal
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Date
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1987
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Summary
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The Reagan Administration has requested a $2.2 billion "generic appropriation" to cover a variety of social service programs that have previously been funded by the Congress on a program-specific basis. This paper briefly describes this proposal, presents background information on the programs that would be affected, and discusses possible effects of the proposal.
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Title
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Rural areas and clean water: Impacts of the Water Quality Act of 1987
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Date
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1987
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Summary
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Cities throughout the country face capital shortfalls for wastewater treatment construction. Yet, rural communities face special problems in financing needed capital improvements such as sewage treatment facilities. This report reviews the impact of waste-water treatment funding provisions of the Water Quality Act of 1987 on rural communities.
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Title
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State and local assistance for narcotics control: The Anti-Drug Act of 1986
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Date
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1987
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Summary
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The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 (P.L. 99-570) established a program of grants to State and local agencies for drug law enforcement. Under that statute, the Bureau of Justice Assistance is authorized, under the State and Local Assistance for Narcotics Control Formula Grant Program, to make grants to States, for use by States and local units of government. These grants are awarded to State and local governments to enforce laws that establish offenses similar to offenses established in the Controlled Substances Act. These funds may be used to support programs which improve the apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention, and rehabilitation of drug offenders. Eradication programs, treatment programs, and programs which concentrate on major drug offenders are also eligible for funding.
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