International

European Union's Worst Lobbyists of 2008

by Sheldon Rampton — December 14, 2008 - 8:52pm

The "Worst EU Lobbying Awards," sponsored each year by Corporate Europe Observatory, Friends of the Earth Europe, LobbyControl and Spinwatch, have been announced for 2008.

Main Source: 
WorstLobby.eu, December 10, 2008

The 2008 Falsies Awards: In Memory of the First Casualty

by Diane Farsetta — December 10, 2008 - 4:07pm
  • Topics: Activism, Iraq, Election 2008, Global Warming, International, Media, Propaganda, Public Relations, U.S. Government

    • There's nothing quite like a hotly contested election. The candidates have their devoted supporters and angry detractors. Then there are vigorous debates over the issues, while some people question the integrity of the entire process.

    We speak, of course, of the Falsies Awards.

    This year marks the Center for Media and Democracy's (CMD's) fifth annual Falsies Awards. The Falsies are our attempt to shine an unflattering light on those responsible for polluting the information environment over the past year. We're happy to report that more people -- nearly 1,450 -- voted in this year's Falsies survey than ever before! We're also bestowing special recognition on one of this year's "winners."

    Falsies recipients can collect their prizes -- a pair of Groucho Marx glasses, our two cents and a chance to atone for their spinning ways by making a detailed public apology -- by visiting CMD's office in Madison, Wisconsin. This year's Gold and Silver Falsies go to masters of war deception, while the Bronze Falsie recognizes a massive greenwash campaign. The first-ever Lifetime Achievement Falsie goes to a serial corporate front man, while a determined (if at times laughable) attempt at nation re-branding wins dishonorable mention. Then there are the Readers' Choice Falsies and Win Against Spin Awards, nominated by our survey participants.

    New Law: Secondhand Smoke Exposure is a Form of Domestic Violence

    by Anne Landman — December 9, 2008 - 10:19am

    The Philippines has enacted a law that treats the exposure of women to secondhand smoke in the home as a form of domestic violence punishable by law. Under the law, a woman can seek a protection order requiring her partner to stop smoking around her.

    Main Source: 
    ABS-CBN News, Philippines December 5, 2008

    Participatory Project: What's Happening at the Climate Change Negotiations?

    by Bob Burton — December 9, 2008 - 4:46am

    As scientific warnings about the potential risks of climate change intensify, governments realize they need to at least be seen as responsive to global warming concerns. But, behind the scenes, many of the world's richest countries are dragging their feet.

    Main Source: 
    SourceWatch Climate Change portal, December 9, 2008

    Bell's Belarus: Never Mind Its Human Rights Record

    by Diane Farsetta — December 2, 2008 - 6:11pm

    With help from British public relations guru Lord Timothy Bell and his firm, Bell Pottinger, the country of Belarus -- where "opposition protests are regularly crushed with overwhelming force by riot police" and the domestic spy agency is still called the KGB -- is getting an image make-over.

    Main Source: 
    Agence France Press, November 30, 2008

    It's a Victory if We Say It Is

    by Judith Siers-Poisson — November 27, 2008 - 7:37pm

    The White House says that the Iraqi Parliament's approval of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) is cause for celebration and a sign that we have won the war. White House Press Secretary Dana Perino rejected the idea that the Agreement's stipulation of troop withdrawal in three years is in fact exactly the type of timetable that President Bush has consistently opposed.

    Main Source: 
    Democracy Now!, November 20, 2008

    Murdoch's Loss-Making Strategy

    by Bob Burton — November 13, 2008 - 5:30pm

    An opinion column by David McKnight, an associate professor at the Journalism and Media Research Centre at the University of New South Wales, argues that "Rupert Murdoch's critics often make the mistake of caricaturing him as just another businessman, interested more in money than ideology. ... These claims underestimate Murdoch's powerful contribution to the shaping of political ideas in Britain, the U.S.

    Main Source: 
    Sydney Morning Herald, November 8, 2008

    Fitz-Pegado Among the New Lobbyists for a "Democratic Iran"

    by Diane Farsetta — October 22, 2008 - 5:00pm

    The Livingston Group, a lobbying and PR firm, "received a healthy $300K during the third period," or third quarter of 2008, from the Council for a Democratic Iran. The website of the Virginia-based group states, "We believe there is an alternative between military confrontation with the current regime and accommodation." According to Lobbyists.info, the group previously retained the firm Cyber Security Research Consultants.

    Main Source: 
    O'Dwyer's PR Daily (sub req'd), October 22, 2008

    Documents Show Tobacco Industry Conspired Against Airline Smoking Ban

    by Anne Landman — October 20, 2008 - 12:47pm

    An analysis of tobacco industry documents published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) tells how the German cigarette industry worked to stop Lufthansa, the flagship airline of Germany, from banning smo

    Main Source: 
    British Medical Journal (sub req'd), October 1, 2008
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