Media

The Media's Iraq Offensive

by Sheldon Rampton — November 18, 2006 - 12:27pm

"The American media establishment has launched a major offensive against the option of withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq," writes Norman Solomon. As an example, he cites a recent New York Times story by Michael Gordon which claims that many of "the most vehement critics of the Bush administration’s Iraq policies" believe withdrawal would be irresponsible.

Main Source: 
TomPaine.com, November 16, 2006

Opposition Builds to CanWest's Bid to Kill Canada's Drug Ads Ban

by Bob Burton — November 7, 2006 - 10:50pm

A coalition of unions, women's and health groups have been granted intervenor status in a case in which CanWest MediaWorks is seeking to overturn the Canadian government's ban on direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA). The groups argue that if CanWest is successful it would push up healthcare costs and undermine the sustainability of the Canadian healthcare system.

Main Source: 
NewsWire, November 6, 2006

Murdoch Downplays Iraq Death Toll

by Bob Burton — November 7, 2006 - 5:17pm

Speaking to journalists at a conference in Tokyo, News Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Rupert Murdoch, downplayed the death toll following the U.S. invasion of Iraq in March 2003. "The death toll, certainly of Americans there, by the terms of any previous war are quite minute," he said. "I believe it was right to go in there.

Main Source: 
Times of India, November 6, 2006

NBC Rejects Chicks: What's Up With That?

by Sasha Rae — November 5, 2006 - 11:54pm
  • Topics: Arts / Culture, Corporations, Media, Politics

    • The Dixie Chicks, that is.
    This isn't the first time that big media companies have barred them from the
    airwaves, but it is the first time that NBC and the new CW network have. It
    appears that once again the Dixie Chicks have exhibited public disapproval of
    the Bush administration and once again the media have answered by censoring
    them. This bodes ill for the future of free speech, at least what's left of it
    in America.

    Satirical Program Axed After Conservative Complaints

    by Bob Burton — November 1, 2006 - 3:11am

    The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, a government-funded public broadcaster, has axed a popular weekly satirical current affairs program after one of its co-hosts, Corinne Grant, participated in protests against draconian changes to industrial relations laws.

    Main Source: 
    The Age (Australia), November 1, 2006

    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

    No Space for Reality Ads

    by Bob Burton — October 30, 2006 - 2:48pm

    Animals Australia advertisement

    Plans by the non-profit group, Animals Australia, to run full colour advertisements in major magazines highlighting cruelty to factory-farmed pigs received a setback when several publications refused to accept the ads.

    Main Source: 
    Sydney Morning Herald, October 28, 2006

    Media Consolidation Means Less Diversity

    by Sheldon Rampton — October 29, 2006 - 5:17pm

    Media consolidation comes at the expense of ethnic diversity and serving the interests of women and minorities, according to several academic studies recently released by the Benton Foundation and the Social Science Research Council. A study by Dr. Carolyn Byerly of Howard University examined U.S.

    Main Source: 
    Benton Foundation, October 23, 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

    The Video News Release Industry's Next Statement to the FCC

    by Bob Burton — October 24, 2006 - 4:03pm
  • Topics: Advertising, Journalism, Video News Releases, Ethics, Media, Public Relations, U.S. Government

    • Recently a new lobby group, the National Association of Broadcast Communicators (NABC), was launched to try to convince federal regulators, media policy wonks and the general public that they shouldn't worry about television stations airing undisclosed video news releases (VNRs).

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