Headlines

Satanic Spin: Amway vs. Procter & Gamble

by Anonymous — April 4, 2001 - 12:00am

Amway representatives spread rumors that Procter and Gamble's "man-in-the-moon" logo is a Satanic symbol. That's according to a new P&G lawsuit against the Michigan-based household goods distributor. This is just the latest tiff between the two giant corporations; as far back as the 1980's, Amway distributors were publicizing a link between the Devil and their corporate rival, leading Procter and Gamble to drop the logo.

Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's Newsletter, April 4, 2001

Former Monsanto Exec Takes Another Turn Through the Industry-Government Revolving Door

by Sheldon Rampton — April 2, 2001 - 12:00am

President Bush announced that he will nominate Linda J. Fisher, a former executive of the Monsanto Company, as well as an official with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the Reagan Administration, to be Deputy EPA Administrator. Fisher most recently served as Vice President of Government Affairs for Monsanto, an agricultural biotechnology firm. Fisher served as Chief of Staff for EPA Administrator Lee M. Thomas from 1985 to 1988.

Main Source: 
CSO Weekly Report, April 2, 2001

Scientists Don't Disclose Conflicts of Interest

by Sheldon Rampton — April 1, 2001 - 1:00am

Less than one percent of the 60,000 articles published during 1997 in 181 peer-reviewed science and medical journals with conflict of interest policies contained any disclosure of the authors' personal financial interests, according to a study by professors Sheldon Krimsky and L.S. Rosenberg which was published in the April 2001 issue of Science and Engineering Ethics.

Main Source: 
Science and Engineering Ethics, April 2001

Pacifica Pacified, CounterSpin Countered, Democracy Now Abolished

by Sheldon Rampton — March 29, 2001 - 12:00am

The Pacifica radio network has been known for decades as the home of "listener-sponsored free speech radio." That has changed, however, following the network's "Christmas coup" in December 2000, when workers at Pacifica's New York City station, WBAI, were fired and banned from the station. Since then, the situation has gone from bad to worse, with the station imposing a "dirty laundry rule" that threatens employees and volunteers with disciplinary action if they discuss the Pacifica crisis on-air. Network management has censored and/or fired broadcasters working for its popular Demcracy Now!

Main Source: 
FAIR, March 28, 2001

Greenpeace Calls on EU to Stop Greenwashing Waste Issue

by Sheldon Rampton — March 28, 2001 - 12:00am

Greenpeace accused the European Union Council of greenwashing for attempting to classify an established health hazard as a source of renewable energy. The EU is advocating incineration of biodegradable waste, despite clear evidence that it produces virtually no useful energy. In addition a new Greenpeace report points to independent scientific research which identifies links between incineration and a variety of human health impacts.

Main Source: 
Greenpeace news release, March 27, 2001

Corporate Front Group Created to Support Arctic Drilling

by Sheldon Rampton — March 23, 2001 - 12:00am

The oil and gas industry has launched the Energy Stewardship Alliance, aimed at winning access to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. ESA claims to be a non-profit coalition of "professional organizations" and "individuals" who believe opening the Refuge to oil drilling is worth the human and environmental risk.

Main Source: 
Greenpeace USA, March 22, 2001

Bush Policies Ease Transition For Aides Into Lobbyist Jobs

by Sheldon Rampton — March 20, 2001 - 12:00am

More than 150 Republicans who work as Washington lobbyists helped George Bush during his transition to power. "Coalition for Vehicle Choice lobbyist Diane Steed assisted the Department of Transportation; all-purpose lobbyist Peter Madigan helped set up the U.S. Trade Representative's office; and Jack Abramoff, who represents several Indian tribes, advised the Interior Department.

Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal, March 19, 2001

Uninformed Consent: What Patients at "The Hutch" Weren't Told About the Experiments in Which They Died

by Sheldon Rampton — March 16, 2001 - 12:00am

Fresh on the heels of the Jesse Gelsinger gene therapy scandal, this report documents another case in which the biotechnology industry has experimented on humans without their consent. Patients died prematurely in two failed clinical trials at Seattle's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center -- experiments in which the Center and its doctors had a financial interest. The patients and their families were never told about those connections, nor were they fully and properly informed about the risks of the experiments.

Main Source: 
Seattle Times, March 11-15, 2001

Porter Novelli Wins Cancer Account

by Sheldon Rampton — March 15, 2001 - 12:00am

Porter Novelli will be handling a more than $1 million account for the American Cancer Society, whose recently-hired VP-corporate communications is Greg Donaldson. What's interesting (and thoroughly predictable) is that Donaldson came to ACS from Humana. ACS is gearing up to be a "player" in the DC public policy debate on healthcare.

Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's Newsletter, March 14, 2001

A Free Press...If You Can Afford It

by Anonymous — March 12, 2001 - 1:00am

Powerful corporations routinely throw their weight around in the local and national media--and get away with it. Before running a piece about Micron Technologies, the Idaho Statesman sent a review copy to...Micron Technologies. The Washington Post, The New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal got a scoop on a big airline merger, under the condition that they not talk to any critics of the deal. In their Fear and Favor 2000 report, Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting document these and many more examples of the media caving in to corporate spin.

Main Source: 
Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, March 12, 2001
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