In this edition: CNN Headline News skews more to the right; BtoB's Media Power 50; lawsuits; morning shows aren't book equal number of Dems and GOPers; Time 100 Party photos (Stephen Colbert!!!); 7 of 10 journalists surveyed accused of bias in past year; the lack of Dem guests on morning shows; Sen. Stevens whining; battle of media folks; and more...
Thoughts, and Then, the News
There are plenty of liberal bloggers who write ridiculous things, but there are plenty of pundits who just spout CW and talking points and add nothing to our nation's discourse. There are also plenty of liberal bloggers who are insightful and way ahead of the MSM on a whole variety of topics (see Hookergate). There's no reason for the MSM types to get all pissy whenever bloggers call them on their BS... unless of course they're just scared of losing their relevance. More here.
Now for the news from the past week posted, May 15, 2006:
Note: I'm going to put a %%% next to things that are more interesting or go into things more in-depth.
USA Today's NSA story old news?
You be the judge.
How about a broader range of views?
CNN Headline News is expanding. Will the next hire be a liberal?
CNN executive Ken Jautz, who runs Headline News, insists the network didn't set out to find a host with any particular ideology. Now Jautz has got a lot riding on the choice of Beck.
"We're thinking of the three p's of programming - personality, passion and point-of-view," Jautz said. "Nancy and Glenn are totally similar when you think of those three p's."
Beck must take his style from radio to cable TV, where he'll appear prior to Grace. He's doing one hour each weekday for Headline News but, with reruns, his New York-based show will appear a total of 21 hours a week.
Tony Snow's First Week (and Scott McClellan says good bye).
* Snow's press office issuing "corrections" to media. By corrections, the WH means lies and spin. It just seems like Snow moving his FNC routine to the WH press operation. It'd be one thing if the corrections were factual and fair, but the ones so far haven't been.
* Snow: Televised briefings to stay
* Snow stumbles during first meeting with WH press
* Snow's first press gaggle
* Notes on Snow's first gaggle here, here and here.
* Questions for Snow, what makes a good WH spokesman, and more
* Jay Rosen previews Snow's first day
* And a Scott McClellan leftover. Recap of his goodbye party here and here.
Knight-Ridder sale fallout
* Philly Inq and DN could be bought by Onex, Inc, which could be really bad news.
* KR Proxy filing offers revelations on long bidding process
* KR execs getting pretty sweet severance packages
Credit Where It's Due
* Wooten's Ode to Cameramen %%%
* Chris Matthews has kind words for liberal bloggers
* NBC Nightly news on 5/9 showed the clips of Bush introducing Goss and Hayden for CIA director. Bush used the same words, and Brian Williams even credited TDS for coming up with that one.
* 60 Minutes and Dateline for stories about ethanol
* LA Times produces an investigation that pays off %%%
* What if the government triggered a 700 ton blast in the NV desert, but only CNN and the AP bothered to cover it? Well, they're the only two national media outlets to cover it.
Awards, Fellowships and Nominees
* Journalist in KR's Baghdad bureau awarded fellowship
* National Magazine Award ceremony info and recaps. More from MediaWeek. FishBowlNY has Ellies 2006 notes and photos here, here, here, and here.
* 2006 National Magazine Award Finalists and Winners
* James Beard Foundation Journalism Award winners named
* Webby Award Winners
* Incoming Pulitzer chair Steiger wants more web in awards
Battle of Media Folks
* Jim Axelrod calls WH on misrepresenting his report
* Blogs v. MSM
* New Village Voice versus Old Village Voice
* Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) vs. CNN's Joe Johns
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) is filing a formal complaint with chamber officials regarding what he considers an "unethical" broadcast of an interview with him by a CNN reporter Tuesday.
In an incident that could have repercussions for TV journalists' access to the chamber, Stevens is furious with CNN correspondent Joe Johns for an interview conducted outside the weekly GOP policy luncheons, but far away from the usual bank of TV cameras set up for such interviews next to the storied Ohio Clock.
"This was not a formal interview request. This was an ambush in the hallway," said Stevens spokeswoman Courtney Boone. "He was asked to go on camera and declined."
Stevens is filing the complaint with the Senate Radio/TV Gallery, the office charged with overseeing broadcast reporters, and the Rules and Administration Committee, which establishes the ground rules for what access media have on the Senate side of the Capitol.
CNN officials denied Stevens' assertion that he didn't know he was being filmed by their employees. "It was not an ambush, the Senator knew he was on camera," said Edie Emery, a CNN spokeswoman. [...]
The blow-up over the Johns report comes as TV journalists have launched a campaign to secure greater access to the second-floor hallways, which are regarded as top real estate for reporters because it's possible to get up-close face time with Senators there during votes and before and after key meetings.
But TV cameras have long been forbidden from roaming freely. Network and cable TV reporters are allowed to walk the hallways as openly as print and radio reporters can, but their cameras must stay put near the back exit of the chamber -- and the cameras are only allowed in that spot during pre-arranged press conferences.
The effort to get more TV access is being led by Brian Wilson, Congressional correspondent for Fox News. But one Senate GOP aide said that this incident has ruined the TV journalists' chances of getting more access. If TV crews continue to film Senators outside of the prescribed areas, the entire second floor may become a more restricted area for all media, some chamber sources said.
*
Arianna Huffington vs. Tim Russert This battle continues
in the NYT mag and
at E&P.
*
Robert Steinbuch v. Jessica Cutler, Ana Marie Cox, et al.
The bitter and messy lawsuit against Capitol Hill sex blogger Jessica Cutler by a former paramour is snaking its way into the highest echelons of D.C. blog royalty. In a federal court filing late last week, a lawyer for Robert Steinbuch said he will seek to add Ana Marie Cox , founder of the popular political-gossip Web site Wonkette, as a co-defendant.
Cutler's explicit online "Washingtonienne" diary, detailing escapades with several unnamed men, blew up into a mini-scandal after Wonkette publicized it in May 2004. A year later -- after Cutler lost her Senate job but gained a book deal -- Steinbuch sued, alleging invasion of privacy and emotional distress. Cutler responded that she only shared her blog with four friends and did not perpetrate its broader airing. So Steinbuch is now seeking to add Cox and the as-yet-unnamed person who turned her on to Cutler's blog to the suit. Cox, now a columnist for Time, declined comment last night.
Journalists in Bad Situations
* Iraqi cartoonists face death threats from readers
* CPJ: Four years later, questions remain about Daniel Pearl murder
* Death toll for journos in Iraq jumps suddenly in May
* Slaying of 2 Journalists in Iraq Adds to Profession's Toll
* CNN correspondent Nic Robertson forced to flee an aid camp in Darfur
Journalists, Leaks & Investigations
* Miller attacks Libby in latest court filing; Other media responses now filed
* Journalists on the public, the First Amendment, and other issues
* Reporters' Subpoenas Amount to "War Against the Press"
TV Guests Watch
* Sunday Talk 5/14 Lineup Unbalanced guest lists on FNS, MTP, and FTN. The This Week panel was unbalanced, too, although that's not listed by WaPo. George Will and David Brooks versus Donna Brazile.
* Hotline 5/10: ""Today" led with the situation with Iran and hosted Sec/State Condoleezza Rice. "Early Show" led with tornadoes in TX. "GMA" led with the tornadoes and hosted Rice. "Washington Journal" hosted Reps. Curt Weldon (R-PA), Tom Davis (R-VA), and Gene Taylor (D-MS) and Sen. Craig Thomas (R-WY)."
* Does the Today Show realize that there are Democrats they can book? Hotline 5/9: ""Today" led with the FL fires and hosted Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI). "Early Show" led with the rescued Australian miners. "GMA" led with the FL fires. "Washington Journal" hosted Reps. Pete Stark (D-CA) and Dave Reichert (R-WA)."
* Way to not book any Dems. Hotline 5/8: ""Today," "Early Show," and "GMA" led with Gen. Michael Hayden's nomination to lead the CIA and hosted NSA Stephen Hadley. "Early Show" also hosted Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-MI)."
RWCM Watch
* Did Nagourney make the quotes fit his premise? Singer finds more problems with the same Nagourney article.
* Telco Liability: Falkenrath gets it wrong
* David Broder: Republicans Presumed Innocent; Dems Presumed Guilty
* Right-winger Bill Sammon joins the WH pool rotation
* Charles Babington. Oh, we did pay off the federal deficit during the Clinton years.
* VIDEO: TDS on media coverage of Rummy and McGovern
* Why isn't the media bringing up the possibility that the Foggo-Wilkes thing was the real reason Goss was forced out?
* Clinton not wearing his wedding ring in a portrait gets the media's attention, but what happens when Bush doesn't wear his wedding ring?
* TV Newser on Glenn Beck's HLN show: "Glenn Beck May (Not) Be Funny, But He's Definitely Not News"
* O'Reilly's analysis of his show's ratings is a bit off.
* Did media miss real Colbert story? Yes. Great article.
* Richard Cohen for this whiny screed (and for all the crap he's written over the years). Wonkette's take is pretty good. Vaughn Ververs continues to not get it. There's plenty of "thought-provoking conversation" in the blogosphere; the MSM chooses to highlight what they view as representative of the angry party of the blogosphere.
* Most story topics come from reporters (NYT). Well, someone should tell Adam Nagourney to go six months without doing another "Democrats in disarray" story.
* Jeers to ABC News and Cheers to NBC News: Reports on Plan B
* The right-wing bogeyman: Impeachment Does Tim Russert think there should be checks and balances in our government?
* Few willing to admit they were wrong and those they dismissed as crazy liberal conspiracy theorists were right
* Is the Boston Globe tougher on Harvard plagiarist than Raytheon CEO's plagiarism?
* Open Letter to Chris Matthews
* Open Letter to the Washington Post
* Open Letter to Tim Russert (See also: HuffPo's Russert Watch)
* Media Matters
Media People
* Ex-NYT editor Abe Rosenthal dies Did you know that Rosenthal hated gays?
* Ex-Time editor, Nixon aide James Keogh dies
* Shep Smith interview in May 06 Playboy
* On `Today' Show, ex-NYT editor Howell Raines discusses downfall
* Time's 100 Most Influential people dinner. The seating chart here. FishBowlNY has photos of the event here. Stephen Colbert looks adorable. Al Franken, Matt Cooper, and others attended the party. Recap here.
* Worldscreen interview with Christiane Amanpour (HT TV Newser) %%%
* My Dinner with Wolf Blitzer, by GarySeven
* Roll Call and FNC's Mort Kondracke gets married
News & Notes on Media orgs, Programming, Specials, etc.
* Why does Tucker Carlson get paid by MSNBC to have dance parties?
* Shafer says Calame's a bad NYT ombud. Calame's okay in my book. However, that may only be because Okrent was so bad and because Howell at WaPo has been a total joke.
* Study: 7 of 10 journalists surveyed accused of bias in past year %%%
* CNN's Dobbs rides tall with immigration issue
* BtoB's Media Power 50 WSJ is number 1. USA Today is number 6. MTP is number 8. NYT is number 9. %%%
* It's official. Anderson Cooper named contributor to 60 Minutes. He's still with CNN. Related: The CBS press release
* Whoopi Goldberg to host Clear Channel morning drive radio show. Starts July 21. Goldberg is a liberal.
* TRANSCRIPT: NYT Executive editor Bill Keller on Reliable Sources %%%
* Hotline 5/9: "Starting [5/9/06], when C-SPAN identifies a member of Congress, the net will add major cities within a CD. Previously, members were identified by their party affiliation and state. An example: Rep. Marion Berry, D-Arkansas, Jonesboro, Cabot, Mountain Home. C-SPAN viewers suggested the change, which is based on the British House of Commons, where members' local constituencies are identified (release, 5/9)."
* One person thinks we should pull the blug on the WHCA Dinner
* Move about Slain Reporter Daniel Pearl set to start shooting in Fall
* HBO is planning a comedy about wartime journalists in Baghdad.
* Reuters not doing enough to shift with the changing technology and media world
State of the Media, Trends, Research Reports, Innovations
* eBay wins bid to test online media buying system %%%
* RTNDA/Ball State Univ. survey of local TV and radio websites; some surprising results
* The Perfect News Site, 2016 WSJ reports on what readers say they want. %%%
* Newspapers moving towards more integration
* Arianna Huffington to launch political satire website soon
* Arianna Huffington addressed the American Society of Magazine Editors
* Marketers tap into User-Generated Ads, Plan to take them Offline
* Mags, TV to face off on the Net %%%
* Broadcasters offering more content online
* LR notes some changes in the ever evolving world of media and business
* Another blog ad network for campaigns to target? BlogHer
Ratings, Circulation, & Ad Revenue Strength
* Morning Show Ratings (week of 5/1 to 5/7): Today wins; averages 5.9M viewers
* Sunday Talk Ratings via Hotline: "For the week of 5/7, NBC's "Meet the Press" won with a 2.8 rating/9 share and 3.687M viewers. CBS' "Face the Nation" and ABC's "This Week" both had a 6 share but "Face" had a 2.2 rating and 3.035M viewers while "This Week" had a 1.8 rating and 2.521M viewers. "Fox News Sunday" came in with a 1.0/3 and 1.301M viewers (Hotline sources, 5/11)."
* NPR: We're the most prolific podcaster among media firms
* Evening News Ratings: Trend: CBS and ABC ratings gap narrowing? (The Hollywood Reporter says yes); for week of May 1, NBC wins.
* Most watched news shows among business execs in case you were wondering.
* Weekend Morning Show Ratings (weekend of 5/6)Weekend Today tops Weekend GMA
* National Radio ad revenue up in Q1
* TV News ratings: Cable news tries to lure younger viewers, but audiences still skew to older demos %%%
* FNC still #1 but ratings are declining, especially in the coveted 25-54 demo. On the other hand, FNC reports 24% Q1 income growth.
* Not all papers losing readers; some show circulation gains
* Gay ad market tops $212M
* Online Broadcast Media Sites and Viewer Demographics
* Fun ratings comparisons: link
Did you know that 18- to 49-year-olds make up 29.09 percent of the "60 Minutes" audience and 29.47 percent of the "Anderson Cooper 360" audience? [...]
Cooper's show averaged 151,000 18- to 49-year-olds last month. Steve Colbert's "The Colbert Report" on Comedy Central is averaging 716,000 18- to 49-year-olds these days. Better get to work on that Colbert bio.
Media News Monday is a compilation of media news from the past week posted on Monday. Media is an integral part of politics, and I think that it's important to get to know media and media innovation in order to forecast future ways of campaigning, targeting voters, and disseminating information. If any of you are interested in campaigning, this weekly diary may help you with ideas. It is also important to keep up with right wing corporate media (RWCM) news. If you have any media news to add, please do so. For more RWCM watch & Media News: Penndit's News, Media News, and RWCM Watch Links. I get the advertising, public relations, targeting voters information, and media research from a variety of sources other than the links above. Cross-posted at Penndit and My Left Wing. For previous editions, search my diaries or Penndit.
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