Reality Show gone (really) bad: Contestants compete for kidney

From Media Guardian (http://media.guardian.co.uk):
''A Dutch reality television show in which a terminally ill woman is to select one of three contestants to receive her kidneys when she dies is to air this week despite criticism that it pushes the boundaries of the format too far.
''The government has called for De Grote Donorshow (The Big Donor show) to be dropped because it is 'unethical' and 'wretched' but the broadcaster BNN said it would go ahead to highlight the difficulties of searching for kidney donors.
''In the show, due to be broadcast on June 1, a woman identified only as Lisa, 37, will select a recipient based on (his or her) history, profile and conversations with families and friends. Throughout the 80-minute show, viewers will be invited to send Lisa text messages to advise her.''

Aren't there better things to worry about?

I go back and forth about this outrage. Media Life shares this: A billboard with the images of radio morning jocks Bob and Tom on a perky woman's t-shirt had people in Boise up in arms. Yeah, Bob and Tom are a couple of boobs, but is this too much for people to take in while driving by? Take a look at
http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman/publish/article_11962.asp

NYC radio jocks air offensive interview with homeless man

From the NY Daily News:
"Bad-boy radio hosts Opie and Anthony yesterday topped even their infamous 2002 "Sex in St. Pat's" stunt, serving up a homeless man's profane declaration that he'd like to rape Condoleezza Rice, Laura Bush and Queen Elizabeth." Read all about it at the following link:
http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2007/05/11/2007-05-11_you_cant_say_that.html

NYT may stay away from future 'chummy' dinners

The New York Observer reports that New York Times D.C. bureau chief Dean Baquet feels uncomfortable at dinners such as the White House correspondents' dinner.
''The press is too cozy with government,” Baquet says. Finally, someone speaks up about this obvious conflict of interest. See the article at http://www.nyobserver.com/2007/times-withdraws-chummy-galas-leaving-rove-dateless.

MSNBC's Olbermann names Beck 'Worst Person' for Al Gore comments

During MSNBC's Countdown on May 1, host Keith Olbermann named CNN Headline News' Glenn Beck the winner of his nightly "Worst Person in the World" segment for, as Media Matters for America documented, comparing former Vice President Al Gore to Adolf Hitler (what?!) during the April 30 edition of his nationally syndicated radio show. See more here:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200705020007?src=other

In Philly, the Inquirer blends editorial with advertising, and it's not pretty

The New York Times reports: ''Starting next week, The Philadelphia Inquirer will run a new column called PhillyInc., written by Inquirer reporters and editors, on the first page of its business section.'' OK, but here's the questionable part of this new column: ''What is unusual is that the column will be sponsored by a local advertiser, Citizens Bank. It will carry the bank’s logo and be outlined in the bank’s distinctive green ink.'' All the details online here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/23/business/media/23inky.html?8seia&emc=seia

Russian News Service staff gets the bad news

The New York Times reports the bad news about "good news" mandate in Russia. Half of what is reported must be positive. Russia is becoming one of countries that does not respect press freedom. Here's how the story begins:

''At their first meeting with journalists since taking over Russia's largest independent radio news network, the managers had startling news of their own: from now on, they said, at least 50 percent of the reports about Russia must be ''positive.''
''In addition, opposition leaders could not be mentioned on the air and the United States was to be portrayed as an enemy, journalists employed by the network, Russian News Service, say they were told by the new managers, who are allies of the Kremlin.
''How would they know what constituted positive news?
'' 'When we talk of death, violence or poverty, for example, this is not positive,'' said one editor at the station who did not want to be identified for fear of retribution. ''If the stock market is up, that is positive. The weather can also be positive.' '' Log in free to the NYT for the entire story.

Nike ad campaign: Socially responsible--or marketing ploy?

After the Imus comments, Nike does this: http://adage.com/article?article_id=116145
Advertising Age gives us the background.

'Clinton fatigue' and sloppy reporting

I usually see this kind of sloppy generalizing in student work (most vividly a story about scientology from Colorado student-writers). But the Washington Post? Let's go back to remedial reporting.
http://mediamatters.org/items/printable/200704170009

Catholic Mobile? Get regular inspiration

http://catholicmobile.com/
AdRants takes note of this new mobile company. The Web site states: "Catholic Mobile provides families and individuals with inspiring Catholic content that will enrich their daily wireless experiences." OMG

Toledo Photog altered dozens of photos

As mentioned a few days ago, a Toledo Blade photographer altered an image and was suspended, then he resigned. The newspaper investigated a bit deeper and found all kinds of manipulated images. Read the Blade editor's commentary: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070415/NEWS08/704150316

Katie! Plagiarism, now misinformation

MediaMatters.com reports on Katie Couric's latest "notebook" item. http://mediamatters.org/items/200704130003?src=other

Couric's video blog on libraries: Plagiarized!

Katie didn't acutally plagiarize, but one of her producers did. The unnamed and fired person "put together" the copy for her to read for the video blog--almost word for word from the Wall Street Journal. Geez. The AP has the story about this ethics lapse:
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8OE1PQ81&show_article=1

Pole dancing for kids

Teachers in the UK lament the kind of advertising that gets into their schools: http://media.guardian.co.uk/advertising/story/0,,2051965,00.html

Wilfling?

Media Guardian reports on ''wilfing,'' the new British pastime. Wilfing is mindless wandering on the Web.
http://media.guardian.co.uk/newmedia/story/0,,2053568,00.html

A stop put to sale of captured sailors' stories

Should the British soldiers get paid for their interviews and/or stories? The government thinks not. Some were offered up to 100,000 pounds.

http://media.guardian.co.uk/presspublishing/story/0,,2053380,00.html

Citizen Journalism etiquette and ethics: A difference exists between the two

Don't confuse ethics with etiquette--but some civility seems to be in order!
The New York Times shares a story about some bloggers who want to DO something about bad manners: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/09/technology/09blog.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

The Knight Citizen's News Network has a good list of five ethical principles for the citizen journalism: See these at http://www.kcnn.org/principles/

Anna Nicole news coverage was actually educational, Slate writer says

Readers and viewers learned all about "civil procedure, pharmacology, and police work."
Read the commentary: http://www.slate.com/id/2163504/

Altered sports photo in Toledo!

Don Winslow, editor of the magazine News Photographer (and a friend of mine [disclosure!]), writes about the recent incident at an Ohio newspaper: http://www.nppa.org/news_and_events/news/2007/04/toledo01.html
Photog resigns: See the story at http://www.pdnonline.com/pdn/newswire/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003569046

MTV is doing WHAT?

The blending of entertainment and commerce is its latest enterprise. Read all about it at http://www.adrants.com/2007/04/mtv-blurs-adcontent-line-with-new-program.php#more or just watch the real thing on MTV.

What the heck is AP up to now?

In 2005, the Associated Press created ASAP for younger readers--you know, the coveted 18- to 34-year-olds. ANYWAY, in an attempt to be totally cool and outrageous, the writers for ASAP (see asap.ap.org) want you to write to them and assign them news stories. This project is called "Assignment: You."

If your story idea is accepted by an AP writer, you get to help with the reporting. Hey, you can put this on your resume if your story idea is actually chosen and you actually help!

Lohan: 'Cats scare me'

The Washington Post's Peter Carlson reports that GQ has done an entire interview via Blackberry with Lindsay Lohan. OMG! Apparently, the interview was not anything special. Pretty dull actually. Read all about it at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/02/AR2007040201603_2.html (Scroll down to the middle of the page.)

Advertising and the End of the World--Really!

If you haven't seen professor Sut Jhally's 1997 documentary titled "Advertising and the End of the World," you must. Now, 10 years later, the ad industry is starting to pay attention to all the clutter advertising creates--mass consumerism and pollution, etc. Some of us see or hear almost 5,000 ad msgs a day. A long article available at Advertising Age Web site:
http://adage.com/article?article_id=115873

Dinner at the White House with media correspondents

The correspondents' dinner in D.C. Take a look at M.C. Rove. He needs a haircut and a totally new job. http://video.aol.com/video-detail/karl-rove-raps-at-dc-dinner/1899359545 (from 2007)

Other White House Correspondents' Association clips: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/12555463#12555463 (from 2006)

Steven Colbert as speaker in 2006: http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/funnyvideos/v/colbertwhca.htm

A Bush blunder in 2004: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l5bSxpCKEI

Poor Katie: She can't do anything right

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/03/26/couric-criticized-for-interview-with-edwardses/
Katie Couric interviewed Mr and Mrs. John Edwards on CBS Sunday night (during "60 Minutes"); she is being criticized for her handling of the interview. Did you see the interview--I did not, being in Croatia. Let me hear what others think.

This Onion makes me cry

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117961820.html?categoryid=14&cs=1
Check out the latest news from The Onion. According to the entertainment publication Variety, "The weekly is launching a video newscast dubbed Onion News Network, or ONN, a 24-hour fake news net marketing itself as, 'faster, harder, scarier and all-knowing.'" Take note those of you who have never heard of the weekly newspaper The Onion. You cannot CITE this publication as a credible source. Thank you for listening.

More on 'happy slapping' and citizen journalism in France

Via Poynter.org:
http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=31&aid=119693
Via UK's Times:
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article1484826.ece?openComment+true

Values check, please

Thanks, as always, to AlterNet for pointing out issues and stories for us to ponder. First up, the new embassy complex the U.S. has planned for Baghdad--in Saddam Hussein's former palace. Commentary from the Baltimore Sun. (Consider the msg this new building sends to the Iraqi people.)

Next: Commentary from Truthdig re: Iraq and George Bush titled: ''Saddam Has the Last Laugh.'' 'Nuf said.

http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/49518/:
http://www.alternet.org/stories/49589/:

Journalism can be dangerous to your health/life

A French advertising agency recently created a print ad that stresses doing journalism in some parts of the world is extremely dangerous and can cost a journalist his or her life. The information I link to here is from the Ad Punch Web site. http://www.adpunch.org/entry/writing-an-article-is-equivalent-to-committing-suicide/

Assignment Zero: A new kind of watchdog

Wow. A new journalism project titled Assignment Zero has been created by New York University professor Jay Rosen. His experiment involves a Web site with news provided by readers and their sources. The New York Times reports on this new site. See what you think. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/19/business/media/19carr.html?ei=5070&en=3cdf69b4a3f71c86&ex=1174968000&adxnnl=1&emc=eta1&adxnnlx=1174387604-HwSHL6MaUrD5HoI297OMbg

Stop giving the public incorrect information, please!

Sloppy reporting makes me crazy--especially when it comes from the Wall Street Journal and the NBC news operation. Media Matters points out flaws in this week's round-up of media abuses. The WSJ repeated misinformation about Gore and his global warming documentary while NBC's ''Today Show'' presented incorrect facts about the Iraq War. Professor Klyde?

WSJ misinformation: http://mediamatters.org/items/200703200003?src=other
NBC misinformation: http://mediamatters.org/items/200703190009?src=other

AP and its 'hip' asap service

The Associated Press, a "wire service" that has been around since 1846 (!), has a multimedia service called "asap." This weekend, asap was all over South by Southwest in Austin. See if you don't think AP is trying too hard. http://www.ap.org/asap/index.html

Scoopt! and Citizen Journalism

Hmmm. As I prepared a lecture on wire services/news agencies for students here in Dubrovnik, I became aware of Scoopt.com. Anyone, after signing up for free, can download photos to this so-called photo wire agency, which will then try to sell them for you. Take a look at www.scoopt.com

Curious George dissed!

http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=115611
AdAge reports that no one except one real estate company is sponsoring the Curious George show for kids on PBS, yet the viewership is substantial. Wah!

NYT criticized for recent report on Al Gore

"This may be the worst, sloppiest, most dishonest piece of reporting I've ever seen in the NYT," says David Roberts, staff writer for Grist. AlterNet shares Roberts' Gristmill piece on its Web site. Check it out at http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/49220/

Shockvertising in a crowded media world

Stuart Elliott of the New York Times discusses the recent spate of TV ads that use suicide as an attention-getter. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/14/business/media/14adco.html?_r=2&ref=media&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Tiresome question pondered again: Who is a journalist?

Paul McLeary contemplates the question for CJR Daily: Is jailed blogger a journalist or not? Read what he has to say at http://www.cjrdaily.org/behind_the_news/whos_a_journalist_zzzzzzzzzzzz.php

Some TV newscasts STILL don't know the proper use of VNRs

Columbia Journalism Review takes on the issue of the abuse of VNRs by many local TV stations. Marketing folks are thrilled when VNRs are used--whether their clients are given credit or not!
http://www.cjr.org/issues/2007/2/Lieberman.asp

Swiss newspaper falls for fake Gucci ad

This guy was ingenious but at the same time . . . See the report from Editor and Publisher at http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003551020

Facebook and Obama

Students for Barack Obama use Facebook to organize. See the AlterNet article at http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/48316/

Trend School? A course in cool?

Want to learn about trends? You can take a course! For more information, see the Advertising Age article at http://adage.com/abstract.php?article_id=115058

Buy Less Crap

Bono.

He's received a lot of publicity by trying to save the world one red Gap t-shirt, I-Pod or credit card at a time. Advertising Age (http://adage.com/print?article_id=115287) reported this past week that approxmately $100 million has been spent on marketing these products--but so far only $18 million has been raised for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Hmm.
Take a look at this site that parodies the Red Gap ads, and read what the creators of this site have to say: buylesscrap.org.

They make sense.

Denver Post defends its publishing of suicidal lawyer's name

After media outlets were asked to not publish a suicidal lawyer's name, the Post did anyway. See the report by Westword's Michael Roberts.

More on NYT reporter paying source

Slate has posted comments re: the New York Times reporter who paid his source $2,000 for a story the reporter wrote in 2005. The reporter didn't disclose this to his editors. See what you think.
http://www.slate.com/id/2161444/

Blogs, product placements and ethics

Many bloggers make money by promoting a variety of products on their Web sites. The Los Angeles Times just wrote about this dilemma. See: http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-bloggers9mar09,1,2985214,full.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-business

Welcome to I want U 2 B outraged

I welcome your comments to my posts, most of which will link you to stories of questionable behavior.