Policymakers and industry leaders take steps to improve cell phone capabilities during emergencies

Mobile phones today offer enormous potential in regards to public safety and emergency preparedness, but current infrastructure and systems present substantial challenges as well. The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands and the USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy have launched an initiative to research these issues, explore solutions and define minimum capabilities of cell phones for health care, public safety and other public services. On Sunday and Monday, 20 high-level government officials, top mobile technology industry professionals, public advocates and entrepreneurs attended an event hosted by CCLP in Washington, DC. The event, entitled "Mobile Phones for Public……Continue Reading Policymakers and industry leaders take steps to improve cell phone capabilities during emergencies

Latonero speaks at AAAS conference on big data and human rights

On January 15 and 16, research director Mark Latonero spoke at the Science and Human Rights Coalition's "Big Data and Human Rights" conference in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Sessions explored how human rights can be affected by the collection and analysis of big data, the rapidly growing collections of information that can now be processed thanks to recent technological advances. "The application of big data in the human rights domain is still really in its infancy," said Latonero. "The positives and negatives are not always clear and often exist in tension……Continue Reading Latonero speaks at AAAS conference on big data and human rights

Senior fellow publishing new book on California as she wraps up CIR project on armed security guards

As project editor on a two-month long assignment with the Center for Investigative Reporting, CCLP senior fellow Narda Zacchino oversaw reporter Shoshana Walter's and others' six part series "Hired Guns." The team reported on armed security guards across the country who endanger public safety through a haphazard system of lax laws, minimal oversight and almost no accountability. The project includes a graphic novel and an interactive map. Zacchino and Walter are hoping that the series will raise awareness about this issue and change policies across the country. CNN teamed up with CIR and featured two segments on the story,……Continue Reading Senior fellow publishing new book on California as she wraps up CIR project on armed security guards

Hundreds gather in Annenberg Hall to watch President Obama’s penultimate State of the Union address

On Tuesday night about 250 people packed the new Wallis Annenberg Hall to watch President Obama's sixth State of the Union address, the Republican response by Sen. Joni Ernst and a panel discussion that included two CCLP senior fellows. The event, which according to CCLP senior fellow Dan Schnur had the largest on-campus turnout for a political event since the 2012 election night viewing, was co-sponsored by USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, the Center on Communication Leadership & Policy and the Unruh Institute of Politics. See more event photos in our Flickr album……Continue Reading Hundreds gather in Annenberg Hall to watch President Obama’s penultimate State of the Union address

State Of The Union 2015: How Will The SOTU Shape Obama’s Legacy?

Senior fellow Dan Schnur was quoted in the International Business Times on President Obama's recent breakneck pace. "He realizes that he doesn't have a lot of time left in office, and he realizes that he's not going to be able to accomplish a great deal through Congress," Schnur said. "Those two motivators seem to be driving him forward."……Continue Reading State Of The Union 2015: How Will The SOTU Shape Obama’s Legacy?

President Obama’s new plan for free community college furthers Winograd’s initiative

On Friday, January 9, President Obama announced a new initiative to make community colleges tuition-free for students across the country. Modeled after Tennessee's free community college initiative, the program would help an estimated 9 million students a year to save an average of $3,800 a year. "Put simply, what I'd like to do is to see the first two years of community college free for everyone who's willing to work for it," said Obama in an online video. "It's something we can accomplish and something that will train our work force so we can compete with anyone in the world." Senior……Continue Reading President Obama’s new plan for free community college furthers Winograd’s initiative