SPJ ethics committee "appalled" at NBC's checkbook journalism

The Society of Professional Journalists released a statement of NBC's "checkbook journalism" lapse.

The release stated:
"The Society of Professional Journalists' Ethics Committee is appalled NBC News breached widely accepted ethical journalism guidelines by providing the plane that carried David Goldman and his son Sean back to the United States from Brazil after a high-profile custody battle."

Full release available at: http://www.spj.org/news.asp?REF=944#944

Hero on Amsterdam-Detroit flight finds media ethics confusing?

The New York Times explains the confusion re: the sales of a photo from on-board and the "cost" of an interview: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/29/business/media/29cnn.html?_r=1&ref=media

TMZ publishes fake JFK photo

NY Times comments on the dilemma; TMZ says it's just part of journalism: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/28/tmzs-jfk-photo-is-a-fake-says-smoking-gun/
Fake photo on left-hand side of Web page

TV reporter in the way of traffic investigation or not?

http://blogs.trb.com/entertainment/technology/watchthis/2009/04/tv_reporter_arrested_covering.html

Commentary about demise of Rocky

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kunc/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1497409

FTC slaps Kellogs for false claims

Mini-wheats don't really make your kids sharp--but they should eat breakfast!
http://www.tampabay.com/features/consumer/article994121.ece

News photo manipulation--Again!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-moeller/media-literacy-101-the-et_b_189488.html

Watching fish swim--at the bus stop

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/Out_of_Home_19/At_the_bus_stop_fish_that_swim_by.asp

Campus editor fired for conflict of interest

http://www.newbritainherald.com/articles/2009/04/15/news/doc49e6906629bc9433663739.txt

TV station's reporting award questioned

Fro Poynter.org: http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=2&aid=161975

Domino's Pizza does damage control

http://www.mediabistro.com/prnewser/damage_control/a_slice_of_damage_control_for_dominos_pizza_114359.asp

From Time Magazine: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1892389,00.html

Magazine association really mad about ads on mag covers

http://www.foliomag.com/2009/asme-really-really-mad-about-ads-covers-and-you-should-be-too

Update on Current reporters held in N. Korea

The female journalists have been held for more than a month now:http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6115798.ece

Chicken ads on potholes the latest

Check it out: http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/Out_of_Home_19/Street_smarts_Ads_atop_potholes.asp

Some gossip for you re: Rolling Stone, Springsteen

Just gossip but something to think about:
http://www.examiner.com/x-7494-LA-Gossip-Examiner~y2009m4d10-Exclusive-Bruce-Springsteen-and-Patty-Scialfa-have-special-marriage-arrangement

Hero journalists only in the movies?

An AdWeek columnist laments:
http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=135906

And now . . . ads on ATMs

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/Out_of_Home_19/Your_client_s_ad_on_ATM_machines.asp

LA Times goes too far with ad on front page

Here's the 411:
http://www.ejc.net/media_news/uproar_over_news_story_ad_on_newspapers_front_page/

Ads on European MTV networks to help promote voting

Young people encouraged to vote:
http://www.ejc.net/media_news/eu_woos_young_voters_through_mtv/

'Sexting' latest tech risk for kids

The Dallas News reports:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/lifetravel/stories/DN-commonsense_0413gd.ART.State.Edition1.4a4eec2.html

If you were a reporter on a plane . . .

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/cnbc/reporters_on_a_plane_the_ethics_of_the_air_113346.asp

Photo tampering through the ages

http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/farid/research/digitaltampering/

Ethics in hotel marketing

Here are the concerns: http://www.tipsfromthetlist.com/article10246.html

From Salon, a book review: What you never knew about Columbine

See the review here: http://www.salon.com/books/int/2009/04/06/cullen/?source=newsletter

Creative ads in Zimbabwe

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/Alternative_media_43/Turning_the_medium_into_the_message.asp

Cameras in the Courtroom? South Dakota weighs in

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2009/04/04/news/top/doc49d805c926efd106189332.txt

Journalist-Consultant: A dangerous mix

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_15/b4126066336774.htm?chan=magazine+channel_opinion

Another study shows young people get news from Stewart

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/Dayparts_update_51/Seriously_Jon_Stewart_as_anchorman.asp

Former CNN anchor takes job at Onion

The New York Times reports: http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/25/former-cnn-anchor-moves-to-the-onion/?hp

North Korea detains two U.S. journalists

http://www.examiner.com/x-2911-Tampa-Top-News-Examiner~y2009m3d22-American-journalists-held-captive-in-North-Korea

German anti-globalists create fake newspaper

This is one way to get people's attention. The paper is dated a year from now.

http://www.ejc.net/media_news/anti_globalists_circulate_faked_german_newspaper_from_2010/

Fake twitter accounts: What would Kant say?

See the info on Simon Owens' blog: http://bloggasm.com/frank-luntz-twitter-account-is-fake-managed-to-gather-2000-followers-including-several-senators-and-howard-kurtz

Culture Shock: Obama on Leno

What can we as students of mass media take from a sitting president appearing on a late-night comedy talk show? The dumbing down of our society or what?!
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123751216269591121.html

MediaLife explains the sweeps

March is a month of reruns--nothing to do with "sweeps."http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/Television_44/Call_it_March_sweeps_but_not_really.asp

The moral obligations of PR professionals

PR guru shares some advice: Help your CEO!
MediaBistro shares the thoughts of Guy Kawasaki at this link:http://www.mediabistro.com/prnewser/interviews/guy_kawasaki_pr_needs_to_just_beat_the_crap_out_of_you_and_get_you_prepared_for_the_tough_questions_111589.asp

Colbert to report from Persian Gulf

As part of USO, Stephen Colbert will air a week's worth of programming from the Persian Gulf. Variety magazine reports:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118001387.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

Boo hoo! NBC says Jon Stewart unfair to CNBC 'reporter'

MediaLifeMagazine.com reports the sad story:
http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/Cable_20/Zucker_Stewart_was_unfair_to_CNBC.asp

Ads on magazine covers newest money-maker

Some magazines take paid ads for their covers. This is truly a blurring of editorial and advertising--and a dangerous blur.
The New York Times reports:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/business/media/12adco.html?8ad&emc=seiab1

Ex-Rocky staffers seek subs for new online pub

If you haven't heard, several ex-Rocky staffers are trying to start a new online publication; they need people to subscribe, though! See the information at this link. You can subscribe for $4.99 a month.
http://www.ejc.net/media_news/ex_rocky_mountain_news_staffers_plan_news_web_site/

Bob Steele does ethics on St. Patrick's Day

This article recaps an ethics workshop set in Chicago on March 17, 2009.

http://www.ejc.net/magazine/article/making_time_for_ethics_on_st_patricks_day_in_chicago/

New job 4 U? Twitter correspondent

Media Bistro shares the news:
http://www.mediabistro.com/mediajobsdaily/job_outlook/job_title_to_watch_twitter_correspondent_110471.asp

Trucks and advertising the latest

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/Out_of_Home_19/Your_client_on_the_sides_of_trucks.asp MediaLifeMagazine reports on the latest trend in advertising

Should we have a student mass media society?

The University of Nebraska at Kearney has one: http://www.unk.edu/news/releases.aspx?id=44510

CNBC's reporters blur the news with commentary

The New York Times reports: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/09/business/media/09cnbc.html?_r=1&8dpc
Here is JonStewart's take on CNBC:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=220252&title=CNBC-Gives-Financial-Advice
CNBC decides not to retaliate against Stewart:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hGbY-3NqKIso6xewHruLLohgRuWQD96O3B880

Shaun White's brands create place just for him

AdRants bring this to our attention: a hidden place for Shaun to practice.
http://www.adrants.com/2009/02/more-proof-that-ad-land-is-shaun-whites.php

The truth about Al-Jazeera

EJC provides this info on Al-Jazeera's myth-busting Web site:
http://www.ejc.net/media_news/al_jazeera_launches_myth_dispelling_website_in_us_and_canada/

Social networking causes cancer?

Because we might be spending less time socializing face to face--and basically not moving anything but our fingers and eyeballs--we are becoming very unhealthy, according to a researcher. MediaLife reports: http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/New_media_23/Stunner_Social_networks_may_sicken_us.asp

Facebook returns to old Terms of Use after outcry

Adrants gives us the update with several links:
http://www.adrants.com/2009/02/facebook-reverts-to-old-tos-never-owned.php
So does MediaLife:
http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/New_media_23/About_Face-book_Site_rescinds_policy.asp

Your body as billboard

The New York Times reports on a new trend: shaving your head for ad placement:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/business/media/18adco.html?_r=1&hp

AP and artist continue to argue over Obama image

See the story here:
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9689O2G0&show_article=1

Did BBC cross the line with its snow footage?

A blogger from the Telegraph explains his worries: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/iain_martin/blog/2009/02/03/snow_in_london_bbc_footage_of_people_falling_over

Lauer interviews Obama then appears in movie ad!

Matt Lauer, co-host of "Today," shows up in a advertisement for a new Will Ferrell movie--during the Super Bowl. Earlier, however, he interviewed President Obama during a pre-game program. The blurring of news and entertainment continues. See the story from TV Week and watch the ad:
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/02/lauers_appearance_in_super_bow.php

Promoting Cigarette Purse-Packs

USA Today reports a cigarette company is promoting Virginia Slims in a stylish pack--just right for slipping into a gal's purse.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-11-20-smoke_N.htm

A piece of gum sends powerful message?

Public Service Announcement needs to get to the point more quickly? Check out the PSA here:
http://www.adgabber.com/video/chewing-gum-delivers-powerful

And now, advertising on escalators

A Norwegian airline tries advertising on escalator steps. Too much?
http://blog.aapglobal.com/2009/01/26/avinor-aims-to-the-sky-with-aapsteps/

Illinois governor's media blitz orchestrated

Source: Associated Press, January 24, 2009
Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached and faces a federal investigation into charges he tried to sell the former Senate seat of President Barack Obama, has hired a public relations firm. The Tampa, Florida-based Publicity Agency counts crisis management among its specialties. The firm's founder, Glenn Selig, said, "The governor has decided that he wants to speak and tell his side of the story, and he enlisted us to help." To that end, he booked Blagojevich on ABC's "The View" and "Good Morning America." Blagojevich won't be doing more morning shows, because "we don't want to overdo it," explained Selig. Blagojevich also got on CNN's "Larry King Live." Selig previously used "'search engine optimization' techniques to lessen the impact of negative Web news on his clients," according to the Tampa Bay business blog "Venture." The Publicity Agency's Twitter feed offers frequent updates on Blagojevich's media blitz, along with news about Drew Peterson, another client and a former Illinois police officer who's a suspect in the disappearance of his wife.

Billboard sell both patriotism,cigarettes in China

Thin Veil of "Patriotism" May Extinguish Chinese Cigarette Billboards
Topics: advertising international tobacco
Source: Shanghai Daily, January 19, 2009
Pedestrians pass by "Love our China" cigarette billboard (from Shenzhen Daily)Patriotic billboards around Shanghai, China carry the Chinese expression for "Love our China." The message, however, uses a variation for the word China, "Chungwa," which happens to be identical to the name of a best-selling cigarette brand made by the Shanghai Tobacco Group. The bright red billboards bear a picture of the historic Tianamen Gate at the entrance to the Forbidden City, but do not have any images of cigarettes. They do carry a warning, though, that says, "Smoking can damage your health," indicating that the boards refer to the cigarette brand as well as the country. Shanghai Tobacco claims that the "Love our China" billboards promote patriotism and thus are a public service campaign, but Chinese legislators argue that they are cigarette ads and should be banned. China signed onto the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, a global World Health Organization treaty to regulate tobacco industry practices. Under the treaty, China committed to banning all types of tobacco promotion by 2011. While technically still legal, the Chinese government is cracking down on cigarette ads in advance of the 2010 World Expo to be held in Shangai, and so is considering banning the double-themed, "patriotic" cigarette ads.

President of France offers help to news media

Interesting concept: Give all 18-year-olds a free subscription to a newspaper.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jMYtLJV_oGyGm7De9_uOKj0W2IKgD95SVKVO1

Companies offer online recruiting services

Online recruiting efforts are totally creepy--and unethical?: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3741803

Will 'eyebrow dance" sell chocolate?

Cadbury Chocolate creates a commercial to sell its chocolates. Very cute--but will you remember the product?
http://www.adgabber.com/video/techno-dancing-eyebrows-sell

Meet the new FCC guy

Obama selects Michael Copps to head FCC--an important job that will test media moguls and the like. http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/121956/

Blogger catches unethical "reviewing" of products

He's young but he still knows a scam when he sees one.http://www.technewsworld.com/story/65925.html

Toronto radio station hires hookers for PR stunt

Should prostitution be legal? A Toronto radio station wants to know--so hired prostitutes to hold promo signs. Tasteful or NOT?
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2009/01/20/ad-agency-hires-prostitutes-for-talk-radio-stunt.aspx#

Gov. Palin continues her anger toward press

The Associated Press reports: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jmnVpq0nGcPOacLhEz0w_sLrSBiQD95S0ES80

Whitehouse.gov gets a new look

Slate reports on the updated White House site:
http://www.slate.com/id/2209275/

Clear Channel cuts work force by 9 percent

More media cuts because board members (stockholders) not happy: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Clear-Channel-cuts-1850-jobs-apf-14109520.html

Be careful what your tweet on twitter

An ad exec sends a tweet on twitter about the city in which he just arrived. Not pretty, and the client he has come to visit is not happy either:
http://www.adrants.com/2009/01/on-twitter-ketchum-exec-trashes-memphis.php

Flash-bombing in Liverpool!

A T-mobile advertising strategy gets people involved: Makes you happy to be alive! Watch the video here:
http://www.adgabber.com/video/tmobile-flashmobs-liverpool

Pizza Pop ads turn ugly

Are these ads for Pillsbury Pizza Pops tasteful? Would you want to eat one? Four are shared here:
http://www.adrants.com/2009/01/aint-no-one-buyin-a-pizza-pop-after.php

Cindy McCain lashes out re: husband's coverage

Politico mentions her outrage: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/17624.html

Identifying the suspect in St. Louis

Nate Taylor, former editor of The Mirror and Coloradoan news reporter, sent this along for our media ethics class.

http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/a-conversation-about-race/general-news/2009/01/is-it-right-to-say-the-suspect-is-black-or-latino-or-white/

Oprah disappointed with Holocaust author, his lies

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2009-01-18-oprah-rosenblat_N.htm
The Holocaust survivor makes Oprah look bad, and, of course, she is mad and sad.

Journalists create ethics guidelines for using Facebook

http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=67&aid=156905
Kelly McBride of the Poynter Institute did a virtual workshop with journalists at the Roanoke, Va., newspaper, who created a list of guidelines for using Facebook as a reporting tool.

The Slammer: Journalism or not?

The Christian Science Monitor reports on a new kind of "reporting"--a tabloid that features only crime stories and mug shots.
http://features.csmonitor.com/backstory/2009/01/06/a-crime-paper-flourishes-by-printing-mug-shots/
Sorry: I can't find a home Web page for this publication!

Decpetive ads via Yahoo?

A Harvard professor does a study and finds questionable practices:
http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/ebusiness/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212900587&subSection=E-Business

Sports writer explains to readers how coverage works

After being called a sexist, a male sports writer in Oregon explains what's what in a personal column: http://www.orovillemr.com/sports/ci_11459137

More ads everywhere!

Now private cars can be hired for placement of ads. Help! http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/Out_of_Home_19/Another_kind_of_mobile_ads_Car_wraps_ooh.asp

CNN's Anderson Cooper a hypocrite?

Anchor/news reporter Cooper refuses to answer personal questions in interview while he does the same thing in HIS interviews. The Huffington Post reports:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/14/anderson-cooper-cnn-tell_n_158023.html

FCC gets complaints re: Golden Globe broadcast

Obscene gestures and off-color comments: What's the FCC to do?
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/01/breaking-fcc-in.html

Gannett makes staffers take one-week unpaid "vacations"

The New York Times sheds light on the issue
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/business/media/15paper.html?_r=4&hp

Angry Whopper at a store near U soon

AdRants shares this ad that has been airing in the UK and Germany since last spring:
http://www.adrants.com/2009/01/angry-whopper-bites-back.php
Via the campaign, you can also send angry messages. Good idea or not?

Active again

My blog is active again! My Media Ethics students and I will be discussing media behavior via this blog, so check in often!