One of the standard arguments for government subsidies of tomorrow’s media is that as the news moves online, advertising is not following so journalism will need new sources of funding. But the research company Outsell this week predicted that digital marketing will outpace print ads for the first time in 2010. Smart media companies will adapt their business models to seize their share of the ever-expanding online ad pie.

The FCC yesterday announced its plan to create a volunteer “digital literacy corps.” But based on the government’s track record in implementing a similar technology-oriented volunteer plan, the National Emergency Technology Guard, the idea will never meet the FCC’s lofty expectations. Congress authorized NET Guard in 2003, but it took five years just to launch a pilot program.

The FCC and the John S. and James. L. Knight Foundation today are hosting a “digital inclusion” summit in order to draw attention to America’s push for expanding high-speed Internet access. The summit is being held a week before the FCC’s scheduled release of a national broadband plan. Speakers will include: FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski; Commissioners Meredith Attwell Baker, Michael Copps and Mignon Clyburn; and members of Congress. Keep a browser open here for live updates.

A new global poll shows that 79 percent of people believe Internet access “should be a fundamental right for all people,” but 53 percent also think “the Internet should never be regulated by any level of government anywhere.” They are sending conflicting messages because proclaiming Internet access a “fundamental right” is an invitation to destructive bureaucratic meddling in the digital marketplace.

Silicon Flatirons, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, and Public Knowledge today are hosting a forum in Washington titled “An FCC for the Internet Age: Reform and Standard-Setting.” The second panel focuses on regulatory reforms, standard-setting and mediating institutions. This entry includes live coverage of the panel.

Silicon Flatirons, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, and Public Knowledge today are hosting a forum in Washington titled “An FCC for the Internet Age: Reform and Standard-Setting.” The first panel focuses on the present and future of FCC reform. This entry includes live coverage of the panel.

Silicon Flatirons, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, and Public Knowledge today are hosting a forum in Washington titled “An FCC for the Internet Age: Reform and Standard-Setting.” Digital Society will be tweeting and blogging live from the event. Follow us on Twitter at @DigiSociety, and stay tuned to the blog for updates from the conference.

One of the standard arguments for government regulation in the Internet space is that “net neutrality” rules are not new. Two advocates of the policy resurrected that argument this week at an event. But the head of NTIA didn’t get the memo. He contradicted that talking point two days later.

Federal Communications Commissioner Michael Copps wants his agency to reach its regulatory tentacles into the “new media” space in order to protect the “public interest.” His appeal is another case of the FCC pushing for regulations well outside its statutory authority and overreaching.

It took 90 minutes but Tuesday evening’s panel discussion about the future of news ultimately devolved into a predictable attack by media “reformers” on commercial media and communications companies that see the Internet as their “plaything.” Robert McChesney of Free Press whined about having to battle “King Kong and Godzilla on steroids,” and Jane Hamsher of the blog Firedoglake accused telecom and media companies of cannibalizing the Internet.