Media

Defensive Reporting or Offensively Fake News?

by Diane Farsetta — April 25, 2005 - 5:00pm

"When the government creates a cable channel that reminds viewers of a news network, down to the live Pentagon briefings and interviews with Washington big shots, is it a form of propaganda or just a savvy way to communicate with the troops?" the Christian Science Monitor asks, about the Pentagon Channel.

Main Source: 
Christian Science Monitor, April 25, 2005

How to Fake Your Own Town Hall

by Sheldon Rampton — April 22, 2005 - 11:13am

Once again, a parody news segment on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" is offering better journalism than much of what you'll find coming from "real" newsrooms. CC's Samantha Bee interviews Republican media strategist Frank Luntz for advice on how to create her own fake town hall meetings, like the ones that President Bush has been using to promote his Social security privatization scheme.

Main Source: 
Comedy Central, April 19, 2005

A Bumper Crop of Government-Produced "News": The USDA's Broadcast Media and Technology Center

by Diane Farsetta — April 21, 2005 - 3:21pm
  • Topics: Agriculture, Media, U.S. Government

    • "Beef trade with Japan and Canada was on the minds of producers at the annual National Cattlemen's Beef Association convention in San Antonio, Texas," a man's voice intones, as the television news segment opens with a shot of a slowly rotating sign reading "U.S. Premium Beef." The voice continues, "Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns addressed the gathering and afterward took questions from the media."

    Trust Us, We're Paid TV Experts!

    by Diane Farsetta — April 19, 2005 - 11:45am

    "The use of TV consumer experts is the latest way marketers have tried to disguise their promotions as real news," similar to magazine "'advertorials' designed to look like editorial features" and video news releases aired as TV reports. The stable of paid "experts" includes "Today" show tech-product reviewer Corey Greenberg, "trend and fashion expert" Katlean de Monchy, Popular Photography & Imaging magazine editor John Owens, and Child magazine tech editor James Oppenheim.

    Main Source: 
    Wall Street Journal (sub. req'd.), April 19, 2005

    Good and Bad News on Fake News

    by Diane Farsetta — April 15, 2005 - 11:12am

    Following the FCC's Public Notice on "fake news," the U.S. Senate approved, by 98 to 0, a measure requiring "clear notification within the text or audio of the prepackaged news story" for all fake news produced with federal funding.

    Main Source: 
    New York Times, April 15, 2005

    Welcome to Our Lair, Murdoch Says to Bloggers

    by Bob Burton — April 15, 2005 - 5:05am

    In a speech at the American Society of Newspaper Editors' conference, News Corporation chief executive Rupert Murdoch pondered the impact that the growth in online news is having on newspapers. "The trends are against us," he warned.

    Main Source: 
    News Corporation, April 13, 2005

    Israel Moves to Muzzle Nuclear Whistleblower

    by Bob Burton — April 15, 2005 - 1:56am

    At a preliminary court hearing, Israeli whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu declined to enter a plea on twenty-one charges that he spoke with U.S., British, Australian and French journalists. After revealing the existence of Israel's nuclear weapons program to the U.K. newspaper the Sunday Times in 1986, Vanunu was imprisoned for eighteen years.

    Main Source: 
    Haaretz, April 12, 2005

    The FCC on "Fake News": Who's Trying to Persuade You?

    by Diane Farsetta — April 14, 2005 - 1:31pm
  • Topics: Activism, Media, Public Relations, U.S. Government

    • "Listeners and viewers are entitled to know who seeks to persuade them," noted the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, in a Public Notice (PDF file, Word file) released last night.

    Warm Feelings for Dirty Energy

    by Diane Farsetta — April 11, 2005 - 1:27pm

    At the Australian coal industry's annual conference, Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane chastised attendees "for allowing the debate over the nation's future energy supply to be hijacked by a 'green media machine.'" Macfarlane suggested the industry "start telling consumers about the work being done on low-emissions technology" and warning about renewable energy costs.

    Main Source: 
    The Australian, April 7, 2005

    Boston Columnist Beaned

    by Diane Farsetta — April 11, 2005 - 12:37pm

    Following revelations that columnist Charles Chieppo had a second contract with the Massachusetts state government, in addition to the $60-per-hour environmental affairs position, the Boston Herald "decided to sever" their relationship. Chieppo disclosed the environmental contract to the Herald's editorial page editor, but not his $100-per-hour position with the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. Chieppo said "it did not occur to him" to alert the paper to his convention center work.

    Main Source: 
    Boston Globe, April 9, 2005
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