The U.S. ambassador to Australia on Tuesday questioned the logic behind the local government's plan to begin censoring its citizens' access to certain Web content, stressing the Internet "needs to be free."

Australian officials have long defended their proposed online filter as the most effective way to combat objectionable Web content, including child pornography. But U.S. ambassador Jeff Bleich told the Sydney Morning Herald this week that there are other, less controversial methods at the country's disposal that would allow law enforcement to catch sex offenders without also censoring the Internet

"[The United States has] been able to accomplish the goals that Australia has described, which is to capture and prosecute child pornographers ... without having to use Internet filters," he told the newspaper.

"We have other means and we are willing to share our efforts with them," he added, indicating discussions between the two countries were "ongoing."

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FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski on Tuesday implored broadcasters to "ignore the hyperbole" surrounding the commission's proposal to re-allocate some TV airwaves for wireless use.

During a speech to the National Association of Broadcasters, which only one day earlier ripped Genachowski for his wireless spectrum plans, the FCC chief repeatedly reassured that the "intention of the proposal is to provide broadcasters with more choice and flexibility, not less."

The FCC's outlined its broad goals for wireless spectrum in its National Broadband Plan, released last month. Chief among the commission's suggestions is that some broadcasters turn over a portion of their spectrum to the FCC, in exchange for a cut of any profit obtained through later spectrum auctions.

The proposal, meant to stave off a wireless spectrum crisis that Genachowski said is imminent, safeguards broadcast community's needs and lowers its operating costs "while at the same time helping address a vital national challenge," Genachowski told an audience at the NAB event.

"And so I appeal to broadcasters to ignore the hyperbole and focus on the real challenges and the real opportunities," the FCC chairman said. "Move beyond inside-the-beltway debates and tactics. Consider carefully what the National Broadband Plan actually proposes.  Accept our offer to work with us constructively on fleshing it out, improving it where appropriate, and finding a real win for the country and all stakeholders."

Genachowski's assurances arrive just a day after NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith llambasted the FCC's plans in his harshest language to date.

"This sounds about as voluntary as Marlon Brando saying in the Godfather that he wanted either the guy's signature or his brains on the contract," Smith said in a keynote address opening the NAB event, held in Las Vegas.

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Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) on Tuesday promised lawmakers would "do whatever is necessary" to ensure the FCC has the power to "deploy broadband and maintain a free and open Internet."

In an op-ed published in the San Jose Mercury News, the congresswoman stressed it was still essential for the commission to continue regulating Internet providers, even after a federal court ruling called into question the agency's plans to institute net neutrality rules.

"The stakes are too high to be complacent — if ever there was a moment for congressional vigilance and decisive FCC action, it is now," wrote Eshoo, who sits on her chamber's Communications, Technology and the Internet subcommittee.

The congresswoman's assurance on Tuesday stems from a federal court decision issued last week, which ruled the FCC was wrong to sanction Comcast in 2007 for blocking some users' access to BitTorrent, a file-sharing service.

The court decision on face overturned the FCC's order, but more importantly articulated the commission does not have the explicit authority to regulate Internet providers.

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Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) on Monday asked FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to extend the period during which the public may comment on the proposed mega-merger of Comcast and NBC.

The commission announced in early March that it would accept initial input from consumers and interest groups up to May 3, with responses and replies due to the agency by June 2 and June 17, respectively. While public interest groups later sought a 45-day extension to that time frame, the FCC's Media Bureau ultimately denied their request.

Waters in her letter described the FCC's order as "disappointing," later noting in a separate statement that the merger "would have an enormous impact on virtually every American."

She asked Genachowski in her letter to reconsider the 45-day extension request, stressing it was "necessary and in the public interest."

"I have been tracking the Comcast-NBC merger for several months, and I am very concerned about the implications this merger has on diversity, localism, and competition in today’s media market," Waters wrote in her letter.

"Such an unprecedented transfer of media ownership and licenses warrants the Commission taking the necessary steps to ensure a complete and detailed record," the congresswoman added. "Thus, an extension would allow public interest groups and other organizations sufficient time to better supply the Commission with the invaluable data and analysis it needs to conduct a comprehensive review of our nation’s most consequential merger transaction to date."

What we're following on Tuesday, April 13:

China eases government procurement rules (Reuters) - Officials in Beijing announced Monday they would relax their rules on "indigenous innovation," which essentially force Chinese government agencies to purchase tech equipment only from businesses that develop and register their intellectual property patents locally. The Obama administration, a handful of congressional lawmakers, countless private groups and many other foreign powers have pushed China on this matter, citing the "indigenous innovation" rules as drastic impediments to foreign trade.

Survey finds opposition to net regulation (Tech Daily Dose) -- A recent Rasmussen poll finds 53 percent of surveyed Americans do not wish to see the FCC regulate Internet in the same way it currently manages telephones and radios. The number arrives just as the FCC is considering a landmark move to re-classify broadband as a "telecommunications service," in light of a federal court ruling that essentially stripped the commission of its broadband regulatory power.

Twitter to start rolling out advertising (Wall St. Journal) -- Twitter will take its first stab at on-site advertising on Tuesday when it announces its new "Promotional Tweets" ad program. Essentially, "Promotional Tweets" will be purchased, 140-character updates that will display atop a user's Twitter search results page. The WSJ notes, however, that the "Promotional Tweet" system may eventually be incorporated into a user's Twitter stream, not just at the top of their search pages.

Sens. Kerry, Gillibrand seeking 'ambassador' for cybersecurity (Hillicon Valley) -- Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) are now calling for the creation of a "ambassador at large" position within the State Department to handle international cybersecurity issues. The proposal was initially part of the International Cybercrime Reporting and Cooperation Act that Sens. Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) introduced last month, according to the New York Democrat's office. A similar effort is underway in the House.

Tech events around the Beltway:

GWU law school will team up with the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) on Tuesday morning for a panel on "Online Privacy: Where are law and technology headed?" The discussion features a number of legal and privacy experts, but of note is Ellen Blacker from AT&T, who will discuss her company's "layered notices" approach to privacy and transparency. Where: GWU Law School, Faculty Conference Center (Room B-505). When: 8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) will convene a panel early Tuesday evening on "Public Diplomacy and Foreign Policy in the Technology Age." Moderated by Bob Schieffer, host of CBS's "Face the Nation," current and former State Department staff members and private experts will discuss how the Internet and mobile phones, among other technologies, have shaped U.S. diplomatic efforts abroad. Where: CSIS headquarters on K St., B1 conference center. When: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Also on deck this week:

Senate Commerce Committee
Hearing on the National Broadband Plan, including testimony from FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski
When: Wednesday, April 14, 2:30 p.m.
Where: Russell 253
Note: This hearing was re-scheduled due to last month's healthcare debate

McAfee Public Sector Summit
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Tx.), co-founder of Congressional Cyber Security Caucus; Dave DeWalt, CEO of McAfee
When: Thursday, April 15, 8 - 10 a.m.
Where: Ronald Reagan Building and ITC in D.C.

NASA space summit
President Barack Obama addresses audience on 2011 space budget
When: Thursday afternoon
Where: Kennedy Space Center; telecast

House Energy and Commerce Committee
Hearing on the National Broadband Plan, "Competitive Availability of Navigation Devices"
When: Thursday, April 15, 10 a.m.
Where: Rayburn 2123

Note: Friday hearing on online gambling before the House Financial Services Committee was canceled, committee staff announced Monday. The hearing will be rescheduled in the coming weeks.

Two Senate Democrats are now calling for the creation of a "ambassador at large" position within the State Department to handle international cybersecurity issues.

The effort is being spearheaded in the upper chamber by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who announced the bill that would create the new position on Monday.

The proposal was initially part of the International Cybercrime Reporting and Cooperation Act that Sens. Gillibrand and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) introduced last month, according to the New York Democrat's office.

If passed, the proposed "ambassador at large" would have the chief responsibility of serving as "principal advisor to the Secretary of State on direction for United States government policy and programs aimed at addressing cybersecurity issues overseas," Kerry and Gillibrand noted in a joint release on Monday.

"The bill will ensure the Administration develops a clear and coordinated strategy for international cyber engagement, including considering the utility of negotiating a multilateral framework that would provide internationally acceptable principles to mitigate cyberwarfare," the lawmakers continued.

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MONDAY BLOG ROUNDUP:
Debate emerges over FCC history on net neutrality - Juliana Gruenwald, Tech Daily Dose
Google's top innovators on cloud, net neutrality, more - Jason Kincaid, Tech Crunch
Regulators roll out Nielsens for Net - Nancy Scola, techPresident
Google, others fret data center efficiency standards - Kate Fehrenbacher, Earth2Tech
Microsoft shoots over Wash. legislature's bow - Jeff Reifman, Microsoft Blog
Jobs weighs in on iPhone OS dev controversy - Peter Bright, ars technica

OTHER STORIES FROM THE HILL:
NAB chief lashes out at FCC over wireless plan - The Hill
Analyst: More minorities logging onto Internet - The Hill
Top State Dept. official: 2009 'worst year' for net freedoms - The Hill
Rep. Giffords wants better wireless service in Arizona - The Hill

Chief of broadcasting lobby scoffs at FCC plan, highlights lewd material available online.

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A scheduling conflict has forced House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass) to cancel this Friday's planned hearing on online gambling laws, committee staff announced late Monday.

A spokesperson for the congressman did not say in a statement announcing the change when the hearing might instead occur. Committee staff did promise, however, to release more information once the hearing is rescheduled.

Friday's hearing was originally slated to focus on two bills that would delay a scheduled ban on online gambling, if not totally legalize the practice.

Neither bill was expected to be marked up during the morning hearing, according to reports. Rather, Frank intended only to field testimony from online gambling experts, some of whom support the chairman's repeated attempts to repeal the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which includes rules that prohibit banks from servicing businesses' accounts involved in online gambling.

That much-debated law will enter into effect on June 1, following a six-month delay instituted by the Treasury Department. Federal officials have since agreed not to extend the suspension again, as part of a deal last year between the Obama administration and Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) over a series of White House nominees blocked from receiving confirmation votes.

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