Media

When "Social Values" Means Smoking

by Anne Landman — February 18, 2008 - 1:56pm

When the dangers of smoking first became widely known, cigarette companies secretly hired biomedical scientists to create confusion.

Main Source: 
New Scientist (sub req'd), February 16, 2008

Unspinning the U.S. Elections

by Diane Farsetta — February 13, 2008 - 12:10pm

The Center for Media and Democracy is contributing biweekly radio reports on politics and spin to "Election Unspun," a daily news show put together by Pacifica Radio and Free Speech Radio News.

Main Source: 
Election Unspun, February 13, 2008

Ad Industry Pushes Back on Product Placement

by Diane Farsetta — February 6, 2008 - 5:02pm

Shortly after a majority of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) members voted to review disclosure rules for product placement on television, the advertising industry is lobbying the agency to slow down.

Main Source: 
Broadcasting & Cable, February 5, 2008

Hard Times at Fox News

by Sheldon Rampton — February 2, 2008 - 12:57pm

"My guess is that Fox News guru Roger Ailes has been reaching for the Tums more often than usual early in the New Year," comments Eric Boehlert.

Main Source: 
Media Matters, January 29, 2008

When Flacks Attack, We Bite Back

by Judith Siers-Poisson — January 27, 2008 - 8:35pm
  • Topics: Agriculture, Arts / Culture, Corporations, Marketing, Media, Public Relations

    • The Center for Media and Democracy has never been shy about criticizing the public relations industry. That's what we do, and we're proud of it. You'd think that this would give PR people second thoughts before sending us their drivel. Unfortunately, they can't seem to help themselves -- even when that means that they end up tipping us off to their own efforts at sneaking product placements into TV shows such as American Idol.

    Duby-ous in Connecticut

    by Diane Farsetta — January 24, 2008 - 12:40pm

    Image from the PR videoA sponsored public relations video airing on cable stations in five Connecticut towns is drawing scrutiny.

    Main Source: 
    New Haven Advocate (Connecticut), January 24, 2008

    They Want Influencers for More New Recruits

    by Diane Farsetta — January 16, 2008 - 4:28pm

    "The U.S. Marine Corps is rolling out a new ad campaign this week in an effort to target teachers, coaches, clergy and other groups that tend to have influence on kids' career paths," reports the Wall Street Journal.

    Main Source: 
    Wall Street Journal (sub req'd), January 16, 2008

    San Francisco Zoo Hires PR Flack to Try and Save its Skin After Tiger Mauling

    by Anne Landman — January 8, 2008 - 1:16pm

    Look, but don't taunt.The situation was about as bad as it could get for a zoo. On Christmas Day, Tatiana the tiger escaped from her enclosure in the San Francisco Zoo, mauled a 17 year old boy to death and severely injured two of his companions.

    Main Source: 
    San Francisco Chronicle, January 7, 2008

    The Taming of Al Jazeera

    by John Stauber — January 4, 2008 - 10:29am

    The New York Times reports, "When a Saudi court sentenced a young woman to 200 lashes in November after she pressed charges against seven men who had raped her, the case provoked outrage and headlines around the world, including in the Middle East. But not at Al Jazeera, the Arab world's leading satellite television channel, seen by 40 million people. ...

    Main Source: 
    New York Times, January 4, 2008
    Syndicate content