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Days after the Bush re-election campaign released its first round of TV ads, three anti-Bush ad campaigns hit the airwaves in 17 battleground states. Democratic challenger John Kerry's advisers are welcoming the ads, but are not involved with their production. And according to Bush-backers, that makes the ads illegal. Brooke talks to Democratic media consultant Karl Struble about what recent campaign-finance legislation means for election-oriented ads.
Subscribers to the DISH satellite network watched their screens go black on a number of popular channels this week. And it was two days before any of the Viacom-owned channels were restored. It was the culmination of a contract negotiation gone awry, during which Viacom and DISH owner EchoStar each waged very public campaigns to win the sympathies of viewers. It wasn't the first dispute between content provider and distributor. Will media consolidation ensure many more to come? Bob gets a recap from Wall Street Journal reporter Joe Flint.
Tensions are once again flaring in the streets of Venezuela, after the government of President Hugo Chavez disqualified a petition for a referendum on his ouster. For years, the privately-owned TV stations have not only supported the opposition, but have actively organized it. With little more than the state-run TV channel on its side, the government is now funneling money into legions of low-power radio stations that are sympathetic to its cause. Bob talks to New York Times correspondent Juan Forero about their growing role in the conflict.
When public broadcasters made their case in Congress last month for continued government funding, they were met with a largely sympathetic audience. But lately, their counterparts in Europe have been under increased pressure to justify their public subsidies. And with much more of their budgets provided by the government, European pub-casters have a lot at stake. International Herald Tribune reporter Eric Pfanner tells Brooke about the recent travails of public broadcasters on the continent.
Many television viewers associate the town of Modesto, California, with one thing and one thing only: the Laci Peterson case. And before the murder case was a national media story, it saturated the local airwaves. By the time Laci's husband Scott was charged with the murder, the judge agreed that the local jury pool was tainted, and moved the trial to Redwood City. But the media circus followed, and the defense now plans to request another change of venue. Reporter Kathy McAnally has the story.
This just in from the world of Reality TV: Human beings are being edited into two-dimensional stereotypes that are none too positive. This season brought us several versions of one popular stock character – the “Sister With Attitude.” She’s black and she’s ornery, and whatever else remains after the televised conflict plays out is left on the cutting room floor. Bob talks to Washington Post reporter Teresa Wiltz, who identified the stereotype in a recent article.
The world of women's magazines is in the clutches of a cabal of high-powered, pampered, left-wingers who cultivate the image of women as victims. That's the central charge in a new tell-all from one of the industry's own. Myrna Blyth, longtime editor of Ladies' Home Journal, joins Brooke to discuss her book Spin Sisters: How the Women of the Media Sell Unhappiness and Liberalism to the Women of America.
Niche marketing has resulted in the explosion of highly specialized glossies that cover the ins and outs of things like fitness and golf. But how many articles on firmer abs or the perfect swing can readers possibly consume? Bob goes inside the world of specialty magazines to find out how editors manage every month to come up with new ways of covering the same old material.
Highlights from Past ShowsThe bunting from Super Tuesday was hardly torn down when the President unleashed his first round of re-election ads this week. Critics are already lashing out at the Bush-Cheney campaign for exploiting 9/11 imagery, but at least one advertising critic thinks the spots are surprisingly tasteful, and restrained. Just so happens that critic is Ad Age columnist Bob Garfield. He joins Brooke to deconstruct the ads.
Violence and chaos is ravaging Haiti, as armed opponents of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide make their way across the island attacking police stations and government supporters. And once again, Haitian reporters are being targeted too. Brooke speaks to Michelle Montas, former director of Radio Haiti International and widow of slain journalist Jean Dominique, about the threat to journalists and the story that is emerging over Haiti's airwaves.
On the Media is funded by The Bydale Foundation, The Ford Foundation, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Overbrook Foundation.
