September 2004 Archive
Note that some of these links are short term and will expire after two weeks. If you have access to Lexis-Nexis at your college or university library, you can retrieve many of the stories that are no longer on the web.
Main Archive List
Thursday - Sept. 30, 2004
- Checehns Arrested for Murder of American Journalist
Two Chechens were arrested Tuesday in the shooting death of American journalist Paul Klebnikov, who was killed in Moscow in July. (WP)
The world is a dangerous place for journalists these days, and we need to remember the efforts and risks of being a reporter. It's too easy to sit back and make cracks about Rather, O'Reilly and Stewart; but journalists who are giving us real news from Iraq, the Philippines, and around the world are putting their lives on the line. The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that 36 reporters have been killed in the line of work so far this year.
- Lots of Rules for Tonight's Debate. But Will the Networks Follow Them?
The list of ground rules governing tonight's presidential debate seems endless. And while the candidates will likely follow them, the networks broadcasting the debate have not pledged to do so. Is there any chance of a remotely spontaneous occurence tonight? Thanks to student Aaron Schoenfeld for the link. (Yahoo News)
- Weather.com Starts Carrying Advertorials
Weather.com (my weather site of choice) has started running advertorials for Scott's fertilizer. These are ads that look like editorial content. Advertorials have long been a part of magazines, though they are generally labeled as such. But critics are concerned that surfers may not be able to tell the difference between editorial content and paid material. (Media Post)
- Howard Kurtz: Are News Outlets Red or Blue?
A recent study by the Center for Media and Public Affairs found that Fox News gives similar coverage to President Bush as do the other news networks, but its coverage of John Kerry is substantially more negative. Kurtz gives an interesting set of alternatives for analyzing these results, and then asks whether our news outlets are becoming red or blue, Republican or Democratic. (Washington Post)
- Richard Leiby's Reliable Source: Media Gossip
Fascinating stuff from the WP's Leiby on Wednesday - Tom DeLay complains about getting a free copy of Kitty Kelley's hatchet job on Bush, excerpts from Ronald Reagan's letters complaining about the news media and Hollywood, and Bob Dylan wishing he could have sold out long before he was selling panties.
- For My Journalism 101 Students
I promised my Intro to Mass Comm students that I would post a couple of links here relating to photojournalism. You might find them interesting as well:
Wednesday - Sept. 29, 2004
- Bonfire of the Vanities Dept. - NYT v. Bloggers
Established news media (the news media establishment?) don't quite know what to make of bloggers. All they know for sure is that they really like attractive young female bloggers who write about sex and politics. You doubt me? Take a look at this week's cover story from the NYT Magazine headlined "Fear and Laptops on the Campaign Trail," which talks about a number of political weblogs, but pays the most attention to Wonkette. Then take a look at the Washington Post Sunday magazine from a few weeks back: April Witt examines the aftermath the blog of a young congressional staffer who had sex with a lot of men on Capitol Hill. Like the Post article, the NY Times article has already started stirring up controversy in the blogosphere. For example, Geheimbundler goes so far as to call the article a "hatchet job against left-wing bloggers."
BTW, the Times article is grossly misheadlined. If you read it, you'll realize that the author the head should be referring to is Tom Wolfe and not Hunter S. Thompson.
- Call Now! For a Limited Time Only!
The Washington Post reports that last year Americans spent more than $91 billion on products advertised on television infomercials: program-length direct marketing ads. A look at 20 years of infomercials.
- What's a Librarian to Do When Patrons Want Books Banned?
A look at what books (and magazines) are currently being challenged. And how librarians cope with the challenges. Thanks to librarian.net for the link.
- Cleveland Plain Dealer: Book-Banning Controversy Tears at Souls of Librarians
- Chicago Defender Gets a Wakeup Call
An energetic new editor shakes things up at one of the nation's most venerable African-American newspapers. Thanks to Romenesko for the link. (Chicago Tribune)
- How Should Reporters Respond to Subpoenas?
We've had a lot of stories here about the subpoenas being served on journalists in the Valerie Plame case. This article from the NY Times takes a look specifically at the ethics and legality of making journalists testify about confidential sources. The article also has an in-depth analysis of Robert Novak's behavior in the case.
- Resistance is Futile; You will be Assimilated Dept - Comcast and Time Warner Set to Buy Out Adelphia
Comcast and Time Warner, the nation's two largest cable providers, are set to make a joint offer to buy up the assets of bankrupt Adelphia Cable. After they've taken what they want, the two may sell off the remaining small systems to local companies. (WP)
- Daily Pennsylvanian Columnist: I'm Not a 'Stoned Slacker,' and I Watch the Daily Show
Last week we asked the question: Is Jon Stewart's Daily Show the most important political news show? Stewart recently appeared on Fox's O'Reilly Factor where O'Reilly claimed that only "stoned slackers' watched Stewart. Viewer, student, and college newspaper columnist Kevin Collins reacts to O'Reilly's claim and explains why he watches The Daily Show. (Thanks to the AP's John Bolt for this link.)
Research shows that Daily Show viewers are much more politically involved than the television audience in general. Do you think this is because watching Stewart makes people more informed, or do more informed people find Stewart amusing?
Tuesday - Sept. 28, 2004
- Vroom, Vroom Dept - What is Truth?
I just recently assigned my ethics students a term paper on the topic of "standards of truth in the media." They're allowed to go any direction they want to on this, dealing with news, advertising , or PR. Of course the inspiration came from the recent CBS / Bush Memo fuss, and campaign ads. But there's another story that's making the rounds that is just as questionable.
You've all no doubt seen or heard the recent story about the motorcyclist in Minnesota who was ticketed for speeding at 205 m.p.h. More than 170 stories ran on media web sites in the day following the incident. Supposedly it's a record. It also isn't true. Oh, it is certainly true that he was ticketed for going 205, but he wasn't going anywhere near that fast. Why? Because it's way above any possible top speed for the bike (a Honda RC 51 for those who care). But dude, you say, it was modified! Doesn't matter. The $500,000 to million dollar superbikes built for national and international racing series by the factories can't do that kind of speed. They typically top out between 180 and 190.
Now, could you get a streetbike to go 205? Maybe, but it wouldn't be an RC-51. If you say the motorcyclist was going too fast for a public road, I would have to agree. But the simple fact is that the story is not true, and it wouldn't have been that difficult to track down the information. The simple fact is that the reporters, all the way up to NPR, took it on authority that the story was true because it fit a preconceived notion of the reporter.
Which means that its a symptom of exactly the same problem as the CBS case.
The story initially broke last Tuesday, and finally by Friday some news organizations realized what the motorcycle press knew all along - that it just wasn't so:
- Commentary Today
Monday - Sept. 27, 2004
- Greedo Didn't Shoot First Dept - Calling All Geeks
If the headline to this item means nothing to you... Move along, nothing to see here, these aren't the droids you're looking for.
OK, now that we're alone...
George Lucas has finally released the original three Star Wars films on DVD, and as always when it comes to the Star Wars canon, there's controversy surrounding it.
Lucas has not been able to keep his hands off the films - he first made changes to them with the special editions that came out in 1997.
The biggest changes were made to the first film, known as Episode 4. Originally released in 1977 in the pre-CGI era, Episode 4 did not have the technical flash of the later films. (It was also a relatively budget film, even by 1977 standards.) Never mind that it was one truly breathtakingly original film of the series or that it pioneered the whole idea of computer motion controlled cameras... But in any event, Lucas wanted to update the look of the film to make it more closely match the style of the later films. But in addition to "improving" the graphics, he also made at least one major plot change:
In the cantina in the original version, Han Solo shoots the lowlife Greedo in cold blood. In the special edition, Greedo shoots first, misses Solo, and Solo kills him with return fire.
While there is endless debate over this 1-second change, I would submit the following: The original Stars Wars series is ultimately a story of redemption - how Darth Vader comes back from the Dark Side to save his son and the galaxy. In the 1977 version of the film, Solo shoots Greedo in cold blood, demonstrating that he is a cool mercenary who will do whatever it takes to succeed., that his first concern is himself. But by the end of the film he comes back with his starship to save Luke from the TIE fighters, doing so at great personal risk. This is a story of redemption that telegraphs the ultimate ending of the trilogy. But... without having a sinful start, there can be no redemption. If Solo does not shoot first, we never have a truly amoral character who can grow into a selfless being.
Am I reading too much into a small change? Of course I am. And yet... If you go through the Smithsonian's exhibit on Star Wars and Myth, you will see that my reading is not an overstatement of what Lucas started with.
Saturday - Sept. 25, 2004
- Audio Weekend: Pop Culture / Media News from NPR
On the weekend, Living in a Media World features a wrap up of audio stories from National Public Radio that deal with pop culture and/or media issues.
- Rapping in Columbia
Rap is growing in popularity among young people in Columbia as they attempt to cope with guerilla warfare, corruption, crime and poverty.
- Making Sense of Political Polls
We get an endless number of polls with tiny differences that get portrayed as major shifts. How should we interpret poll results?
- HBO Rules at the Emmys
As mentioned earlier this week, HBO dominated the Emmy Awards given out last weekend.
- Brian Wilson's Legendary Smile to be Released Tuesday
Thirty-eight years in the making, Beach Boy Brian Wilson's fabled album Smile will finally be released on Tuesday. Extended coverage on Smile, including samples from the album, an interview from Fresh Air, and much more.
- "Zombie See and Zombie Do"
There's an interesting new zombie movie out called Shawn of the Dead that takes a humorous look at zombie life.
- Current Political Attack Ads
Expanded coverage of recent attack ads from both Kerry and Bush, including links to the ads themselves.
Friday - Sept. 24, 2004
- Dance Band on the Titanic Dept.: Adding Some Context to the CBS / Bush Memo Fuss
The CBS / Bush Memo fuss (I refuse to call it Memogate) brings to mind a number of previous journalistic FUBARs, including the CNN Operation Tailwind mess, and the NBC Dateline Exploding Trucks case.
- Howard Kurtz: When Journalists Screw Up
The Washington Post's media reporters takes a look at how previous messes have been handled (or mishandled).
- Walter Olson: Exposing the Experts
Reporters at a major television network run a story that many consider to be fundamentally correct, but use as the centerpiece of the report evidence that has been faked. Sound familiar? It should, it happened in 1986 with a story run on 60 Minutes on CBS, and with a story from 1992 that ran on NBC's Dateline. This article, which ran in the Sunday Washington Post, was published on Feb. 28, 1993. (From Olson's web site)
- Tina Brown: Breaking the News, Then Becoming It
The ever-opinionated Tina Brown (former editor of the New Yorker and Talk) gives her take on Dan Rather and the Bush memo. She also pooh-poohs all the fuss being given to bloggers. (WP) (Wonkette Decodes Tina Brown)
- CBS Names Committee to Investigate Bush Memo Story
CBS has named a former attorney general and a retired wire editor to a committee to investigate how 60 Minutes messed up so badly on the Bush memo story.
- Let's Kick CBS, Vol. 2: Wardrobe Malfunctions
The FCC has finalized its plans to fine CBS owned stations $550,000 for showing Janet Jackson's right breast for a second and a half during the 2004 Super Bowl. Why the big fine just to CBS owned stations? In part because Viacom owns both CBS and the company that produces Howard Stern. So the network is apparently twice naughty.
- Adelphia Cable On The Block
The financially troubled Adelphia Cable is going to be sold by auction to satisfy the company's investors. The company is expected to bring as much as $18 billion, that would be $3,500 per subscriber! The company will be sold off in seven geographic units, and media giant Time Warner is expected to be the major bidder on many of the systems. (USA Today)
- Boondocks
The comic strip Boondocks is never far from controversy. This week the strip drawn by Aaron McGruder is making fun of reality shows with a proposed program called "Can a N***A a Job." I've noticed that the Washington Post's web site has not been running the strip this week. Not long ago, the Post also declined to run a series of the strip that implied that the war in Iraq was caused by the fact that National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice couldn't get a date. Here's some of the coverage:
Thursday - Sept. 23, 2004
- Leonard Pitts: "CBS Let Us Down"
Leonard Pitts, the Miami Herald's Pulitzer Prize winning columnist, is disappointed in CBS for being taken in by such an obvious forgery as the memos shown on 60 Minutes. He notes that the Washington Post was able to establish that a date in the memo is inconsistent and that the typeface doesn't match what was used at the Pentagon at the time. In short, CBS flat out didn't do its homework.
- Is Jon Stewart and the Daily Show the Most Important Voice in American Politics?
Everywhere you turn right now, Jon Stewart and the Daily Show are getting talked about. Take a look at Lexis/Nexis: From 8/15/04 to 9/15/04, Jon Stewart got 58 mentions in major newspapers; Nightline's Ted Koppel only got 16, and if you exclude articles that compare him to Stewart, that cuts it down to 10! NBC's Tom Brokaw got 28 mentions during that time; Fox's O'Reilly got 34 mentions. CNN's Larry King got 70 mentions without any scandal attached to him; Dan Rather got 78 mentions, but that was with the whole Bush memo flap. (Just so you know that I play fair, I set the dates for my search before Stewart won his Emmy.) Before you get too excited about all this, remember that Stewart only gets about 1.1 million viewers a night.
Here's a sampling of recent coverage of Stewart:
- O'Reilly to Stewart: Puppets Can Vote in Florida
The Daily Show's Jon Stewart was recently the guest of Fox News' Bill O'Reilly, and during their discussion, they got to talking about whether obnoxious puppets should be allowed to vote in Florida. O'Reilly was for it as long as they weren't felons. (Thanks to Wonkette for posting the transcript of Stewart interview.)
- Boise State Columnist Sees Big Influence of Stewart on Young People
Boise State columnist Aubrey Salazar sees the Daily Show with its fake news as a major source of information for college students. One student, responding to Salazar's column, writes, "The Daily Show provides by far the best political commentary on television. What is different about his show, as opposed to the networks, cable and your article, is his ability to take on both parties with equal fervor."(Arbiter Online)
- Mr. Koppel, Here's Why We Watch The Daily Show
A letter to the editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette explains why the Daily Show means more to him than ABC's respected nightly news show Nightline.
- What Makes Stewart a 'Genius'
Stewart tells David Hinckley of the NY Daily News the secret of his success: "At 8 o'clock on network TV, you can watch girls in bikinis eating mealworms. By that standard, we're good."
Wednesday - Sept. 22, 2004
- Round Up of CBS / Bush Stories at Romenesko
Poynter's Romenesko web log has had several packages on the CBS / Bush memo fiasco. Here's two worth looking at:
- Take a Look at Alternative Weeklies
A new web site tracks the most interesting stories at 125 alternative weeklies across the country. (Poynter)
- What's Wrong with the Emmys?
Most of the awards go to shows that nobody watches. It's not that the shows are failures; it's just that over half of them air on HBO, which less than a third of the American television audience receives. Lisa de Moraes deals with the changing nature of television. It's not the mass medium it once was. (Washington Post)
- Amazing Race Earns Second Emmy and Some Respect
I won't go so far as to say that you ought to be watching The Amazing Race, because I'm not sure that anyone ought to be watching reality programs. But it certainly is a kinder and gentler contest and an awful lot of fun. (WP)
Tuesday - Sept. 21, 2004
- CBS, Rather Apologize for Bush Memo Story
CBS News has apologized for airing a story on 60 Minutes about President Bush's military service based on documents whose authenticity is suspect. (CBS News)
- What is Convergence?
Well... it's like... um... like AOL and Time Warner! But what does that mean? Um.... People talk a lot about convergence, but no one really seems to know what it is. For one view of convergence, take a look at Monday's Real Media Riffs to see how David Cohen of the agency Universal McCann approaches convergence with a project that crosses three distinct electronic media. (Media Post)
- Do We Want Our Media Biased?
Last week John Bolt, the West Virginia bureau chief for the Associated Press, spoke to my ethics class. The topic wasn't whether Fox News was biased; instead, it was, "Do people want their news with a point of view?" This is a big issue for the AP, which prides itself in presenting balanced, objective (in the journalistic sense) news. On Monday, John sent me this link from the Chicago Tribune that addresses the question. Provocative stuff that challenges many of our assumptions about what journalism should be.
Monday - Sept. 20, 2004
Saturday - Sept. 18, 2004
- 60 Minutes: Update on Bush Memo
CBS has posted extensive updates to its controversial story on what a memo does or does not say about President Bush's tenure in the National Guard.
- Audio Weekend: Pop Culture / Media News from NPR
On the weekend, Living in a Media World features a wrap up of audio stories from National Public Radio that deal with pop culture and/or media issues.
- Portrait of the Rock Star as a Young Man
Had a driveway moment listening to NPR Thursday when All Things Considered ran tapes from 1967 of the earliest known Bruce Springsteen recordings. Also has links to a number of stories about the Boss.
- Paying for Music in the Age of File Sharing
For the last fifty or sixty years, we've been paying for music primarily by buying commercial recordings. But the Internet may be changing that. An in-depth look at new options for paying for music.
- Oscar Politics Starting Up
And you thought that the folks in the Bush v. Kerry campaigns played rough...
- Not Your Average Billboard
I believe this is the first time we've mentioned outdoor advertising on LIAMW. Google is advertising for engineers using a billboard that features a complicated math problem. Extended coverage. Math in the news!
- Why are Some Movies Not on DVD?
Many movies that are available on VHS are not available on DVD. The challenges of producing DVDs of classic movies are explained. (A partial explanation of why there is no DVD of the original version of Star Wars.)
- Judy Blume Wins National Book Award
Judy Blume talks about her many books for both children and adults.
- FCC Holds Public Meetings on Media
Deregulation
An FCC proposal to allow greater concentration of ownership in the broadcast industry brought widespread criticism from the left and the right. So the commission is now holding hearings on the topic around the country.
Friday - Sept. 17, 2004
- Johnny Ramone is Dead at 55
First Joey, cancer in 2001; then Dee Dee, apparent drug OD in 2002; now Johnny, cancer 2004. Only Tommy Ramone remains of the ground-breaking punk band The Ramones. Wanna know where the whole punk revival sound came from? Pull out your old Ramones CDs. Hey, ho, let's go.... RIP Johnny. (NY Times)
Politics & the News
Thursday - Sept. 16, 2004
- NYT is Your Vegetable; Wonkette is Dessert
Wonkette editor Ana Marie Cox gives the lowdown on the balanced news diet. (Romenesko item)
- Document Experts Say They Warned CBS About Bush Memo
Two document experts consulted by CBS about the memo on President Bush's National Guard service say they warned 60 Minutes that they had concerns about the authenticity of the documents. (Update of yesterday's story.) (Washington Post)
- Judy Blumes Wins National Book Award
Popular and controversial children's author Judy Blume is being given a National Book Award for her "contributions to American letters." Blume's books have sold more than 75 million copies. They are also among the most frequently challenged books in schools and libraries. (She appears five times on the American Library Association's list of the 100 Most Challenged Books.
- Does Sky Captain Represent the Future of Movies?
You may have seen a rather stunning movie trailer lately for the upcoming Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. While many directors have made extensive use of digital effects, this is among the first movies made to have no sets at all. The actors are "real," but all the sets are animated in digitally. While I don't know that this is an issue, the film certainly raises a big question: Would it be a candidate for the Oscar for Best Picture or Best Animated Film? (If you look at the rules from 2001, it would appear that Sky Captain is not an animated film, but it's getting close.) (Washington Post)
- Media Business News
Wednesday - Sept. 15, 2004
Tuesday - Sept. 14, 2004
Monday - Sept. 13, 2004
Sept. 11th Remembered
- In the Shadow of No Towers
Cartoonist Art Spiegelman is best known for his Holocaust graphic novel Maus, but more recently he grabbed the nation's attention with his cover of The New Yorker from Sept. 24, 2001, a stark monochromatic image that captured what was no longer there. The cartoon is now the centerpiece of Spielgelman's new book on Sept. 11th. Expanded coverage from National Public Radio.
- September 11 - Bearing Witness to History
An exhibit from the Smithsonian Museum of American History of newspaper and magazine covers that deal with the Sept. 11th attacks.
- Newseum's September 11th Collection
Newspaper front pages from around the world from 9/11 and 9/12, a part of the Newseum's daily collection of front pages.
- NY Times Archive of Sept. 11th Coverage
An archive of stories, photos, and follow up to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Includes coverage of the 9/11 report and the first two anniversaries.
- Having to Grieve in Public
Losing a parent is hard enough. But how do you deal with death when everyone in the country is sharing in your grief? The New York Times looks at how the children of Sept. 11th victims get constant reminders of their loss through the media.
Friday - Sept. 10, 2004
- More Reporters' Notes Subpoenaed
It's almost getting to be routine... The federal prosecutor who subpoenaed reporters in the Valerie Plame case is now going after reporters' notes and records to discover whether anyone in the government leaked news about a federal asset seizure at the office of an Islamic charity. (Washington Post)
- Disney's Eisner To Retire in 2006
The man who oversaw the revival of Disney is going to be retiring from the company in September of 2006. (Washington Post)
- Government Wants Some of TV Airwaves Back
The federal government wants some of the broadcast bandwidth back once the broadcast networks convert to digital in the next few years. The recovered airwaves would be used for emergency communication purposes. (Washington Post)
- Family Movie Act Clears Committee
The House Judiciary Committee has approved the Family Movie Act, which would explictly legalize devices that "clean up" movies on DVD to make them family appropriate. You may recall that there are now DVD players which have filters built in to skip offensive portions of movies. The act would also make movie piracy a crime. (i.e Videotaping a movie in a theater with a camcorder would become felony.) (Backstage.com)
Thursday - Sept. 9, 2004
Media & Politics
- Two Political Ads Share More Than Fame and Controversy (WP)
The Washington Post compares the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ads with the Willie Horton ad from the Bush/Dukakis race
- When is a Headline Unfair?
Washington Post ombudsman Michael Getler deals with a number of interesting issues this week, including a headline over a Cheney speech story, a controversial advertisement, and proper conflict of interest disclosers by columnists.
- Press Has a Revolving Door Between Journalism and Politics
The Post's Howard Kurtz looks it the increasing rate at which the revolving door between politics and media commentary is spinning (sorry...). An old issue, but one that is growing.
- Items on New Kitty Kelley Bush Bio
Controversial biographer Kitty Kelley has a new book out on the Bush family that is full of tawdry claims about the second President Bush. The only problem? It's by Kitty Kelley who some barely consider a biographer. But there's no question that her books sell. Here's a sampling of stories on her upcoming book:
Wednesday - Sept. 8, 2004
Over the next few days we'll try to catch up on the major media news stories that have broken while my computer has been ailing. Here's a start:
- CBS Facing Record Fine From FCC Over Super Bowl Indecency
The CBS-owned television stations are facing a proposed fine of $550,000 for broadcasting Janet Jackson's bare breast for about a second-and-a-half during the 2004 Super Bowl. This would be the largest fine ever put on a television broadcaster, though radio stations carrying Howard Stern's raunchy program have been much higher. (Washington Post)
- Do TV News Programs Have Their Priorities Straight?
Which of the following stories is most important?
A) Bill Clinton facing open heart surgery
B) Hurricane Frances approaching Florida
C) A terrorist attack in Russia that would kill 100s of school children.
Well, if you watched the television news on Sept. 3rd, the possible menace of a hurricane (which let reporters trot out their cool storm gear) was much bigger than the actual death of children in Beslan, Russia. Commentary by the Post's Philip Kennicott.
- Absolut to Start Advertising on Television
While beer, wine, and "alcopops" ads can be readily found on television, ads for distilled spirits are much less common. It was in 1996 that the liquor industry lifted its voluntary ban on television and radio advertising. (NY Times)
- How Specialized Can Cable Get?
ESPN is planning a new 24/7 college sports channel, to go along with ESPN, ESPN II, ESPN Classic, ESPN News, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes (Spanish) and ESPN Pre-school Tee Ball (ok, I made that one up). (NY Times)
Tuesday - Sept. 7, 2004
I continue to have computer problems and will resume posting as soon as I have a functional system. Sorry about that.
REH
Friday - Sept. 3, 2004
- Television's Earthquake Continues: Fox News Outdraws Big Three with RNC Coverage
Want another sign that everything is changing in the television business? Fox News has been beating the Big Three networks in the ratings during times that all four are carrying the Republican National Convention. The fact that Fox News is getting a huge draw covering the RNC is no surprise, but this is still a sign of changes to come. (NY Times)
- Cable Industry Loves Both Kerry and Bush
When it comes to cable television policy, the industry has a lot to like about both major candidates for the presidency. Which is not to say that there are not differences in their policies. An article everyone interested in media business and consolidation should read. (USA Today)
- What Views are in the News?
Poynter's Geneva Overholser talks about the issue of fairness and balance in the news. I really like this column because it gets away from the overly simplistic right/left, red/blue, liberal/conservative debate.
- The Microsofties Go After iTunes
Microsoft is now officially taking on Apple's wildly successful iTunes music download service. Will there at last be an area of the digital market that Bill Gates doesn't dominate? (Washington Post)
Thursday - Sept. 2, 2004
Wednesday - Sept. 1, 2004
USA Today seems to spend a lot of its space covering the activities of the media. Here's a sampling of stories from Tuesday's Republican National Convention coverage that deals with the media:
- Networks Decided Long Ago Not To Air The GOP's First Night
The networks are giving the same amount of coverage to the Democrats and Republicans, but they are not covering the same nights. A look at the network choices. (ABC was not going to give up Monday Night Football...)
- Michael Moore's Column
One of the biggest stories to come out of the first day of convention coverage was the fact that USA Today had hired filmmaker Michael Moore to give a contrarian view of the Republican meeting. But Moore's presence at the convention as a credentialed journalist became a major story itself, with Sen. John McCain talking about Moore.
- Ann Coulter Had Been Scheduled to Cover Dems
Conservative firebrand Ann Coulter had been hired to cover the Democrats for USA Today, but the paper replaced her when Coulter and the paper could not come to an agreement on how her column was to be edited. You can read her original, unedited column here. Among the comments that caused her trouble?
"My pretty-girl allies stick out like a sore thumb amongst the corn-fed, no make-up, natural fiber, no-bra needing, sandal-wearing, hirsute, somewhat fragrant hippie-chick pie wagons they call "women" at the Democratic National Convention. "
She was replaced at the last minute by syndicated columnist Jonah Goldberg
- Media's Big Exclusive: Free Haircuts at Spa
How are the media being entertained by the Republicans?
