Jack O'Dwyer's News Articles

Potter Tells Single-Payer Group to Do "PR"

by Jack O'Dwyer — January 11, 2011 - 5:21pm
  • Topics: Activism, Health, Public Relations

    • Wendell Potter, author of "Deadly Spin," told a capacity crowd of 200 in New York last night that backers of a single-payer health plan must adopt the techniques and strategies of the opponents of such a plan.

    Potter, speaking to Physicians for a National Health Plan (PNHP) at the Murphy Institute for Education and Labor Studies, said the PNHP must seek allies, get "others" to tell their story, use appeals to basic emotions, and create memorable slogans.

    "Special interests have kicked your butt with the skillful use of language," he said. They have been able to "demonize" single-payer, he added.

    Politicians, he said, are not going to support such a health plan unless their constituents are in favor of it, he said. He faulted the single-payers for lacking a "long term strategic plan," something that he said the healthcare insurance industry excels at.

    CPJ, OPC Need to Focus on Embattled U.S. Journalists

    by Jack O'Dwyer — December 2, 2010 - 10:44pm
  • Topics: Journalism

    • A banquet of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) grossed $1.47 million at the Waldorf-Astoria Nov. 23 with the profits going to oppressed reporters and their families throughout the world.

    It is a noble effort supported by many blue chip corporate and media companies. Sir Howard Stringer, CEO of Sony, chaired the banquet. It was held on the first anniversary of the massacre of 57 people, including 32 journalists, in the Philippines. A video commemorated the tragedy.

    CPJ has tracked the deaths of 840 journalists since 1992, most of them murdered in cold blood.

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