Pundits

Keep the Sticks and Stones Away From O'Reilly

by Diane Farsetta — May 3, 2007 - 3:44pm

"Using analysis techniques first developed in the 1930s by the Institute for Propaganda Analysis," Indiana University media researchers analyzed six months' worth of

Main Source: 
Indiana University press release, May 2, 2007

New Participatory Project: Getting the Colbert Report into Congresspedia

by Conor Kenny — April 11, 2007 - 9:59am

A few weeks ago we asked you, dear readers and citizen editors, to pitch in and help with our first "wikiproject" - a short, participatory effort to update and expand a part of the SourceWatch/Congresspedia wiki. Lots of people chipped in and we accomplished our goal: getting contact information for all the freshman members of Congress, including the addresses and phone numbers for each of their district offices.

Main Source: 
The Colbert Report on Congresspedia

The FCC and Armstrong Williams' Continuing Legacy

by Diane Farsetta — March 27, 2007 - 5:55pm
  • Topics: Crisis Management, Pundits, Education, Ethics, Fake TV News, Public Relations, Secrecy, U.S. Government

    • There are many reasons why federal investigations might take some time to conclude. Perhaps the issues are complex. Maybe the parties under investigation are less than forthcoming. The investigating agency may lack the resources needed to resolve the matter in a timely fashion.

    On the other hand, a stalled investigation may be part of a crisis management strategy. When an embarrassing ethical or legal transgression surfaces, launching an investigation sends the message that the matter is being taken seriously. Thanks to a rapid news cycle and a lack of follow-up reporting, public attention shifts elsewhere as the investigation continues. Closing the investigation can be seen as counter-productive, as it once again calls attention to the problem and creates the expectation that the findings will be acted upon.

    Representative John Dingell (D-Mich.) may well have been pondering such matters on March 14, when he pointedly asked Federal Communications Commission Chair Kevin Martin about the status of the agency's ongoing Armstrong Williams investigation.

    Seven Papers Axe Coulter's Column

    by Bob Burton — March 10, 2007 - 5:09am

    In the last week at least seven newspapers have dropped the syndicated column of conservative firebrand Ann Coulter. Speaking at the American Conservative Union's annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C.

    Main Source: 
    Editor & Publisher, March 9, 2007

    Murdoch Columnist Wrote Speeches for Australian Minister

    by Bob Burton — February 26, 2007 - 6:14am

    A parliamentary committee reviewing government expenditures was informed that Christopher Pearson, a conservative columnist who writes on national politics an

    Main Source: 
    Sydney Morning Herald, February 22, 2007

    Armstrong Williams for Air America?

    by Bob Burton — November 1, 2006 - 2:19am

    Air America Radio, the progressive talk radio network which recently filed for bankruptcy, is considering syndicating a radio show co-hosted by Armstrong Williams. Williams co-hosts a morning drive-time program with Sam Greenfield on the New York radio station WWRL.

    Main Source: 
    The Hill (Washington DC), November 1, 2006

    Steyn Globe-Trots with Oz Government Funding

    by Bob Burton — October 25, 2006 - 12:47am

    The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer has disclosed that the Australian government contributed $A12,023 ($US9,150) towards the costs of a five-day speaking tour by the conservative Canadian commentator Mark Steyn.

    Main Source: 
    Sydney Morning Herald, October 23, 2006

    Unmasking Fossil Fuel Lobby Groups

    by Bob Burton — September 27, 2006 - 10:26am

    George Monbiot argues that journalists and media outlets routinely fail to ensure adequate disclosure of the funding sources when including interviewing staff from think tanks on global warming.

    Main Source: 
    Guardian (UK), September 26, 2006

    More Journalists On U.S. Government Payroll

    by Bob Burton — September 10, 2006 - 3:52am

    Ten Miami journalists have been paid by the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB) for their involvement in programs for the anti-Castro propaganda stations, Radio Martí and TV Martí. The OCB is a unit of the the U.S. government-funded Broadcasting Board of Governors. Three of the ten were journalists with El Nuevo Herald.

    Main Source: 
    Miami Herald, September 8, 2006

    Labor Department Official Does Punditry On the Side

    by Diane Farsetta — August 17, 2006 - 4:54pm

    "'Conservative commentator' is not an appropriate label, by itself, for someone in her position, even if she is not speaking on government time or is speaking for herself and not the department," PBS ombudsman Michael Getler wrote of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor Karen Czarnecki.

    Main Source: 
    PBS Ombudsman Column, August 16, 2006
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