Media Bits and Bytes - Dance of Death Edition

Haters hate; Snoopers snoop; Networks try to trump Trump; Secret law against secrets; DC vs Silicon Valley

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The Hill

Paris Attacks Spark Victory Dance For Conservative Media: 'Islam Is A Religion Of Violence'
By Brendan James
November 15, 2015
International Business Times

Conservatives across the American media landscape are speaking with one voice after the attacks that left scores of French civilians dead and hundreds maimed Friday: Terrorism has a religion, and it is Islam. The messaging has not been subtle. "The Barbarians Are Inside, And There Are No Gates," declared author and Fox News contributor Mark Steyn. "Stop pretending terrorism has nothing to do with Islam," cried the right-wing twee blog the Federalist. "Islam is a religion of violence," wrote RedState founder, conservative radio host and blogger Erick Erickson.
While there's been no shortage of condemnation of Friday's attacks from devout Muslims, the American left and those in the center, conservatives are back to a rallying cry that the right -- and some liberals -- embraced in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001. Islam, they say, is the problem. Although some specified "radical" Islam in their polemics, the main idea seemed to be that Muslims bear a unique and direct responsibility for terrorism in 2015. Facing up to that supposed reality seems to be the litmus test put forth by conservative media.

Beware of Ads That Use Inaudible Sound to Link Your Phone, TV, Tablet, and PC
By Dan Goodin
November 13, 2015
Ars Technica

Privacy advocates are warning federal authorities of a new threat that uses inaudible, high-frequency sounds to surreptitiously track a person's online behavior across a range of devices, including phones, TVs, tablets, and computers.
The ultrasonic pitches are embedded into TV commercials or are played when a user encounters an ad displayed in a computer browser. While the sound can't be heard by the human ear, nearby tablets and smartphones can detect it. When they do, browser cookies can now pair a single user to multiple devices and keep track of what TV commercials the person sees, how long the person watches the ads, and whether the person acts on the ads by doing a Web search or buying a product.

The Media Has No Idea How to Deal With Donald Trump's Constant Lying
By Dylan Matthews
November 23, 2015
Vox

Generally speaking, TV news shouldn't be in the business of making its viewers believe stuff that isn't true. And in any other context, that'd be enough to keep the likes of Trump off the air. But TV news is also in the business of covering leading politicians, particularly ones the polls indicate are likely to get a major party's nomination for the presidency. So not covering Trump feels actively irresponsible. The result is the jumble ABC News presented Sunday, wherein a frustrated interviewer is forced to entertain the candidate's lies and try to rebut them in real time, knowing that defusing each and every falsehood is impossible. It's a mess of a television program. But what else is ABC to do?
 

Privacy Groups Fight to Expose Secret Cyber Ruling
By Cory Bennett and Julian Hattem
November 21, 2015
The Hill

Civil liberties advocates are trying to bring to light a secret legal document that could upend the congressional fight over cybersecurity.
For years, the Obama administration has repeatedly declined to reveal a 2003 decision from the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), claiming that it no longer relies on the opinion.
But the continued secrecy has digital privacy experts worried the decision addresses the government's right to access data and could give license to warrantless surveillance.
The topic has become especially pertinent as lawmakers clash over online snooping and a controversial cybersecurity bill heads to the president’s desk.
 

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As Encryption Debate Gets Fiercer, Silicon Valley And D.C. Collide
By Alexander Howard
November 20, 2015
Huffington Post

In the wake of the Paris attacks last week, the White House on Thursday invited executives from Silicon Valley technology companies to come to Washington and talk more about concerns that terrorists are evading capture by using encrypted devices or services made or operated by American companies.
The tech industry has argued in the past that encrypting data and network connections keeps data private and people safe and secure against criminals and autocratic governments.
Despite a lack of clarity regarding how or even whether the Paris attackers used encryption to cover their tracks, U.S. lawmakers, intelligence officials and The Washington Post editorial board want U.S. technology companies to find a way to give law enforcement access to user data on encrypted devices and services.