Media

Fox News Rides Obama Back to the Top

by John Stauber — March 23, 2009 - 6:53pm

NPR notes that "times could hardly be better at the Fox News Channel, the cable channel liberals love to hate. ... Ratings estimates from Nielsen Media Research indicate audience levels are up significantly -- to extremely high levels for cable news -- making Fox News among the highest rated of all basic cable channels.

Main Source: 
National Public Radio, March 23, 2009

The PR Firm for "Evil"

by Bob Burton — March 10, 2009 - 2:44pm

After it was revealed that the floundering American International Group (AIG) had hired Burson Marsteller (B-M) as one of its PR advisers, Rachel Maddow, the host of “The Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC, wondered who else the firm had worked for. After a scathing review of their past clients -- including the Argentinean military dictatorship, Philip Morris, and Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaucescu -- Maddow concluded that "when evil needs public relations, evil has Burson-Marsteller on speed dial.” In response, B-M CEO Mark Penn wrote an internal email to staff claiming that Maddow "significantly mischaracterized the nature of the firm's past." In the email, which was leaked to PR Week, Penn wrote that "we are and should be proud of the work we do. ... While we can't spend our time responding to every attack that comes our way over the internet or cable television, I do think it is important that I reach out to each of you to let you know that we have a good story to tell about the work we do."

Main Source: 
PR Week, March 7, 2009

Kids Who Watch R-Rated Movies More Likely to Smoke

by Anne Landman — February 24, 2009 - 3:21pm

A four-year study of more than 1,200 youngsters performed by the University of Massachusetts Medical School found that children whose parents let them watch R-rated movies are more likely to smoke. Participants were in sixth grade when they started the study, and researchers interviewed them a total of eleven times over the course of the study. They were asked questions about the availability of cigarettes in their home, whether smoking was allowed in their home and whether their parents let them watch R-rated movies and videos.

Main Source: 
U.S. News and World Report, February 23, 2009

Take This Job and Love It

by John Stauber — February 23, 2009 - 5:49pm
  • Topics: Activism, Democracy, Media

    • Sixteen years after founding the Center for Media and Democracy and our publication PR Watch, I'm moving on this June to new challenges. The search for my replacement began last week, and we hope that by summer CMD will have a new executive director. I believe that CMD needs a high-energy executive director especially skilled at taking us to our next level of success. At age 56 I want a less demanding life with more personal time.

    Mission Creep Reaches U.S. Newsrooms

    by Diane Farsetta — February 6, 2009 - 4:50pm

    "Over the past five years, the money the [U.S.] military spends on winning hearts and minds at home and abroad has grown by 63 percent, to at least $4.7 billion this year," reports the Associated Press. "That's almost as much as it spent on body armor for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2004 and 2006. ...

    Main Source: 
    Associated Press, February 5, 2009

    Finally, Blagojevich's Side of the Story

    by Diane Farsetta — January 26, 2009 - 1:17pm

    Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached and faces a federal investigation into charges he tried to sell the former Senate seat of President Barack Obama, has hired a public relations firm.

    Main Source: 
    Associated Press, January 24, 2009

    Coming Soon to a Theater Near You: Condoleezza Rice

    by Diane Farsetta — January 22, 2009 - 4:02pm

    Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has signed with the William Morris Agency, which describes itself as a "diversified talent and literary agency," with "clients in all segments of the entertainment industry." While "most other members of the

    Main Source: 
    Hollywood Reporter, January 21, 2009

    China: The One Bright Spot in the News Business?

    by Diane Farsetta — January 16, 2009 - 6:33pm

    The Chinese government has pledged 45 billion yuan (nearly $6.6 billion) for media that target foreign audiences, "in an aggressive global drive to improve the country's image internationally." The Xinhua News Agency wants to use the funding to "expand its overseas bureaus from about 100 to 186," nearly enough to have a bureau in every country.

    Main Source: 
    South China Morning Post (sub req'd), January 13, 2009

    Journalism Group Offers Fake News Training

    by Diane Farsetta — January 5, 2009 - 5:30pm

    When television stations take the "'quick and dirty' route to health news coverage" by airing sponsored videos produced by public relations firms or other companies, it's a real problem, writes journalism professor Gary Schwitzer. For example, Ivanhoe Broadcast News (which was mentioned in the Center for Media and Democracy's "Fake TV News" report) puts out "single source stories with one spokesman from one institution touting one idea," complete with PR contacts.

    Main Source: 
    Schwitzer health news blog, January 2, 2009

    No Shame at NBC

    by Sheldon Rampton — December 13, 2008 - 11:45pm

    The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) has issued a statement strongly criticizing the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) for its continued use of retired Gen.

    Main Source: 
    Society of Professional Journalists, December 4, 2008
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