Headlines

Using "Changing the Tone" to Suppress Criticism

by Sheldon Rampton — June 4, 2001 - 6:01pm

Though some may not admit it, Democrats have been largely ineffective in opposing President Bush during the first few months of his administration. One reason for this is the way that Bush has successfully shaped the political debate. In particular, Bush's seemingly innocuous campaign promise to "change the tone" in Washington has proven to be a powerful rhetorical weapon, helping suppress criticism while portraying the President as above the fray.

Main Source: 
Spinsanity, June 4, 2001

Ex-PR Executive Wins $32M Toxic Mold Suit

by Laura Miller — June 3, 2001 - 11:00pm

Melinda Ballard, former PR executive at Ruder Finn and United Brands in New York, on June 1 won a $32 million toxic mold case against a unit of Farmers Insurance Group. She charged the company mishandled her family's claim for mold damage which damaged the health of her husband and son and made her 22-room house uninhabitable.

Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's PR Daily, June 4, 2001

Monsanto Increases "Dialogue" as Part of Pledge

by Laura Miller — June 3, 2001 - 11:00pm

Monsanto has established an external biotech advisory council as part of its "Monsanto pledge." The chemical and seed company promised in December to "commit to an ongoing dialogue with all interested parties to understand the issues and concerns related to this technology." "The role here is more in terms of listening," said Monsanto spokesman Loren Wassell. "We have an interest in hearing what they say and we want to get a better insight into the issues of what people think." Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, director of the center for international development at Harvard University, and Dr.

Main Source: 
PR Week, June 4, 2001

Sony's Phony Movie Critic Causes a Sensation

by Laura Miller — June 1, 2001 - 11:00pm

Newsweek exposed phony movie critic David Manning, who was created by an unidentified Sony employee to pen positive reviews of Sony movies. Paul Holmes, editor of PR trade newsletter "The Holmes Report," writes, "The most peculiar thing is that someone would go to such lengths to create fictional reviews for movies when everyone in Hollywood knows that getting legitimate--or at least flesh and blood--critics to say nice things about even the most egregoius movie is rarely a struggle."

Main Source: 
Holmes Report, June 11, 2001; Newsweek, June 2, 2001

Green Mountain Energy Teams Up With American Forests

by Laura Miller — June 1, 2001 - 12:01pm

Delivering "a breath of fresh air" to Texas consumers, Green Mountain Energy Company, the nation's largest residential retail provider of cleaner electricity, is kicking off the state's Electric Choice Pilot Program with the launch of the first phase of its year-long Texas Fresh Air Project. In partnership with American Forests, the nation's oldest non-profit conservation organization, Green Mountain Energy Company will donate additional fresh air to Texas by sponsoring the planting of 10,000 native trees in the state to help restore damaged forest ecosystems and provide clean air.

Main Source: 
Press Release, May 31, 2001

Monsanto Launches Weekly Electronic Newsletter

by Laura Miller — June 1, 2001 - 11:51am

Monsanto has launched The Advantage, a weekly electronic newsletter with news summaries regarding what it calls "a world of biotechnology benefits." Headlines for the week of May 30 included "Bush Proclaims National Biotechology Week," "Professor Cites Benefits of Biotechnology," "Enhanced Grape Could Mean Better, Cheaper Wine," and "Study Shows GM Plants Do Not Crowd Out Other Plants." Their website had a few bugs when we visited, but hopefully they'll fix those as easily as they've fixed the EPA.

Main Source: 
ag.biotechnology.conservatory@monsanto.com

Harvard University's Gift to the Nation

by Sheldon Rampton — May 31, 2001 - 11:00pm

This piece by David Corn looks at the background of John Graham, who has been nominated by George W. Bush to head the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, which is part of the Office of Management and Budget. "The person who sits behind this desk is the regulatory czar of the entire federal government; he or she holds the power to slow down or smother public health, workplace safety, and environmental standards," Corn writes.

Main Source: 
TomPaine.com, June 1, 2001

At Commencement, Journalism Has a Hazy Future

by Sheldon Rampton — May 30, 2001 - 11:00pm

This mock commencement speech by Norman Solomon addresses the graduates of today's "communications" schools, which mingle training in journalism with training in public relations: "You have studied how to write news articles and contrive news releases; how to dig for truth and how to obscure it; how to produce journalistic sensations as well as public relations; in short, how to unspin and spin. Like many others around the country, this school of journalism imparts vital skills of reporting and distorting."

Main Source: 
Fair/Extra Media Beat, May 31, 2001

New Freedom of Information Act Web Site

by Sheldon Rampton — May 30, 2001 - 11:33am

An Oregon law firm has created a new web site to assist people interested in accessing public records through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or state public records laws. It has links to the public records laws of all 50 States as well as relevant branches of the federal government. It also has materials to assist in the making of initial document or fee waiver requests, their appeals, litigation and a discussion of the FOIA exemptions.

Main Source: 
http://www.foiadvocates.com/

Alliance for Energy and Economic Growth

by Sheldon Rampton — May 30, 2001 - 11:04am

A new industry-sponsored cheering section for Bush/Cheney's energy policies has been formed, called the "Alliance for Energy and Economic Growth."

Main Source: 
http://www.yourenergyfuture.org/
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