Media and Entertainment

Saving 'Saving Private Ryan'

The Federal Communications Commission's shifting and arbitrary standards left television executives afraid of airing "Saving Private Ryan" on Veterans Day.

Cashing in on a tsunami

The Chicago Tribune notes in an editorial that some environmentalists are arguing global warming contributed to the disastrous tsunami in South Asia because higher temperatures arguably are melting the ice caps which, in turn, have raised sea levels. The newspaper calls this line of thinking "worse than a hoax" and criticizes those making that argument for "turning this catastrophe into a publicity stunt." Chicago Tribune (free registration) (1/6)

Reporter Convicted for Refusing to Give Identity of a Source

A local television reporter was convicted for refusing to identify the person who leaked him an F.B.I. videotape in 2001 documenting government corruption in Providence, R.I.

Aid agencies tussle with media

Journalists are using the photography, video and accounts of aid workers more than ever to cover far-flung humanitarian crises, but many relief groups and media outlets are concerned their relationships are ill-defined and their interests could be at odds. This issue was tackled by a panel at a media conference in Portugal that featured leaders from the United Nations, print and television media and non-governmental organizations. BBC (11/23)

Holding a Moral Center as Civilization Fell

"Hotel Rwanda" is a political thriller based on fact that hammers every button on the emotional console.

My 3 Sons: Cloning's Unexpected Results

Caryl Churchill's stunning new play is a gripping dramatic consideration of what happens in a world where people can be cloned.

Judges Skeptical of First Amendment Protection for Reporters in C.I.A. Leak Inquiry

A panel seemed to reject two journalists' main argument on whether they should be jailed for refusing to name their confidential sources to a grand jury.

Is This Shark Gay? Kiddie Cartoons and the Culture Wars

Does 'Shark Tale' have a pro-gay message? Does 'The Incredibles' mock schools where everyone's 'special'? Should anyone care?

China Detains 3 Who Criticized Government

The detentions were the latest in a string of arrests of journalists and scholars who have spoken out against government policies.

'Moolaade': A Harsh Look At a Brutal Ritual

A widely acclaimed film by long-time Senegalese director Ousmane Sembene examines, in fictional yet raw terms, the violent cultural practice common throughout parts of Africa known as female circumcision, or genital mutilation. The film, "Moolaade," has been heralded as a milestone in filmmaking and activism, and many view it as a call to action for African women's rights. The Washington Post (free registration) (12/7)

Nepal's King Cracks Down on Politics and News Media

Nepalis now have no freedom of assembly, expression or opinion; no right to information, property or privacy.

2004: The Year of 'The Passion'

Television news gives the Mel Gibson wing of Christianity more say than other Christian voices and usually ignores minority religions altogether.

'Born Into Brothels'

"Born Into Brothels," a documentary about the sons and daughters of Calcutta's prostitutes, shatters expectations and confounds preconceptions.

Advocacy Groups Blur Media Lines

A growing number of advocacy groups are blurring the distinction between legitimate media and propaganda to promote their causes.

As Piracy Battle Nears Supreme Court, the Messages Grow Manic

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a pivotal case pitting copyright holders against the makers of file-sharing software.

Liberal Bloggers Reaching Out to Major Media

A group of left-wing bloggers have started holding conference calls with news outlets to counter what they believe is the growing power of right-wing blogs.

Cheadle moves from set to world stage

Aiming to shine light on the crisis in Sudan, the actor is reporting on refugee camps for "Nightline." Since playing a heroic hotel manager in "Hotel Rwanda," he has thrown himself into trying to make the world pay more attention to genocide in Africa.

Ethical Marketplace©

Ethical Marketplace© is a weekly TV financial lifestyle magazine series reporting on new definitions of success that are emerging. How can your money earn a steady profit while improving your quality of life and the world around you?

Melding Gravity and Guilt at Live 8

Like the G-8 meeting, the Live 8 concerts hinged on the privileged addressing the problems of the impoverished.

Yes, Obi-Wan, There Still Are Books

Despite all the advances in technology, a gratifyingly large number of Americans still want to curl up with a good book.

Bono talks of US crusade

The Guardian profiles the ongoing efforts of U2 lead singer and Africa activist Bono to bring American attention and dollars to the plight of millions of Africans suffering from AIDS, poverty and war. Bono has enlisted the help of an odd cast of characters from religious conservatives and liberal Hollywood types. The best advice the rock star said he got was offered by U.S. investment guru Warren Buffett, who told Bono not to appeal to the conscience of America in his quest, but "to its greatness." The Guardian (London) (6/16)

Newspaper Giants Buy Web News Monitor

The Gannett Company, Knight-Ridder Inc. and the Tribune Company are joining forces to buy three-fourths of Topix.net, a Web site that monitors online news sources.

Can Papers End the Free Ride Online?

As the battle for advertising dollars intensifies, newspapers are looking for new ways to make money, including charging the visitors to their Web sites.

Eco-Lessons Taught in a Surfer-Girl Patois

"Trippin," Cameron Diaz's new show on MTV, presents endangered animals in their natural habitats, but it also showcases celebrities outside theirs.

Africans ask: 'Why isn't anyone telling the good news?'

Rwandan President Paul Kagame urged journalists gathered at the International Press Institute's annual meeting in Kenya to bring comprehensive coverage of African issues to the world rather than limiting their coverage to the continent's many ills, such as war, famine and disease. The Christian Science Monitor reports positive trends, including African economic growth, advances in telecommunications and trade often find little space in the global media, a trend that many say needs to be reversed. The Christian Science Monitor (5/26)

How Electronics Are Penetrating North Korea's Isolation

New ways of thinking are stealing into North Korea, perhaps corroding the steely controls on ideology and information that have kept the Kim family in power.

Musically Saving the World: The Dos and Don'ts of Live 8

Like many noble-minded music events, Live 8, Sir Bob Geldof's sequel to his 1985 Live Aid concert, represents a two-way exchange of prestige.

Public Relations Campaign for Research Office at E.P.A. Includes Ghostwriting Articles

The strategy includes writing and placing "good stories" about the E.P.A.'s research office in consumer and trade publications.

The Artists in the Hazmat Suits

Mutant bacteria, genetically altered mice, cactuses with curly hair: step this way to enter the danger zone of bioart.

Apple, Digital Music's Angel, Earns Record Industry's Scorn

Steven P. Jobs is girding for a showdown with at least two of the four major record companies over the price of iTunes songs.

Talk to the Animals

Today's nature films show us the hidden reality of nature as never before.

For Gore, a Reincarnation on the Other Side of the Camera

On the eve of the launch of his new cable channel, Current, Al Gore says that he intends to reinvent himself as a media entrepreneur.

A Radio Program Turns to a Blog to Cull Ideas

A new public radio program — Open Source from PRI — draws on the collective intelligence permeating the Web to make smart radio.

All Ears for Tom Cruise, All Eyes on Brad Pitt

The American news media must start reporting on the genocide in Darfur as much as it reports on celebrities.

Feeding Europe, Starving at Home

Hubert Sauper's harrowing, indispensable documentary about Tanzania presents the agonized human face of globalization.

Al Gore, Sundance's Leading Man

'An Inconvenient Truth' Documents His Efforts To Raise Alarm on Effects of Global Warming (The Washington Post)

The Politics of Science

Every administration tries to spin the news to make the president look good. This one is trying to spin scientific data and muzzle scientists to that end.

NASA Chief Backs Agency Openness

The move by Michael D. Griffin, the agency's administrator, came after accusations of political interference by top agency scientists.

Ist broadband TV channel on environment launched

Dharam Shourie, New York: The world's first broadband TV channel dedicated to environmental issues and developed with the support from a UN agency was launched today.

Madison Avenue's 30-Second Spot Remover

Robert M. Greenberg is redefining advertising by making the delivery of the message a two-way street between marketers and consumers.

Digital Publishing Is Scrambling the Industry's Rules

Publishers, editors and writers are grappling with the Web's ability to connect readers and writers more quickly and intimately.

Murdoch Said to Stress Free Access to Wall St. Journal’s Web Site

Rupert Murdoch says he plans to abolish subscription fees at The Wall Street Journal’s Web site, according to news accounts from Australia.

Survey: Marks & Spencer a Green Winner, BP Biggest Greenwasher

LONDON, April 16, 2008 -- Marks and Spencer has earned a reputation as the greenest UK company according to a survey that also named BP the biggest greenwasher.