September 2007

For upcoming media policy events, see http://www.benton.org

MEDIA OWNERSHIP
Are Chicago's media outlets serving you?
Public hearing on media an endless debate
Study: TV station ownership has impact on kid shows
Rule changes needed to add voices in media
Chicago's Media: Big, But Not Diverse
Effects of Media Ownership Consolidation on Urban Black Communities
CBS Looking at Buying Web Sites

BROADCASTING
Sen. Kohl Hammers Government DTV-Transition-Education Efforts
"Leave No Viewer Behind"
White Space Proponents to FCC: Take it Slow
NBC to Offer Downloads of Its Shows

KIDS & MEDIA
Childhood-Obesity Report Delayed Again
Study suggests more alcohol radio ads reaching minors
Rep. Pickering Introduces Indecency Bill

MEDIA & ELECTIONS
Presidential Ad Wars Heat Up

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
Hearing on Internet Calls to 911

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
Bush presses Congress to extend domestic spying
A Shield for the Public

QUICKLY -- Cities turning off plans for Wi-Fi;=20
Companies Try to Teach Old Phones New Tricks;=20
Americans giving up friends, sex for Web life;=20
Spanish-Speaking Hispanics Are 'Avid' Newspaper=20
Readers; Dan Rather sues CBS for $70 million

MEDIA OWNERSHIP

ARE CHICAGO'S MEDIA OUTLETS SERVING YOU?
[SOURCE: , AUTHOR: FCC Commissioners Michael J.=20
Copps and Jonathan S. Adelstein]
[Commentary] The Federal Communications=20
Commission will be in Chicago today to hear=20
whether the city has the kind of media outlets=20
you want and need. It's especially important to=20
us because the FCC will soon decide whether to=20
allow a small number of media giants to buy up=20
the remaining local broadcasters and other media=20
outlets across the land. Are Chicago's residents=20
being well-served by the media served up to them?=20
Are you getting a diversity of viewpoints? Is=20
local talent covered? Are community issues=20
treated sensitively? Are minority groups getting=20
the coverage and input they need? As we enter=20
election season, are stations covering the=20
important issues that confront us, or do they=20
just focus on the horse race and run profitable campaign ads?
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/letters/566028,CST-EDT-vox20a.ar...
le

PUBLIC HEARING ON MEDIA AN ENDLESS DEBATE
[SOURCE: Chicago Tribune, AUTHOR: Phil Rosenthal]
On Thursday, Federal Communications Commission=20
commissioners will be in Chicago for a hearing on=20
its media ownership rules. At issue are supposed=20
to be the rules concerning how many broadcast=20
outlets a company should be allowed to own and in=20
what combinations within a market, within the=20
nation and with other media entities. Are=20
broadcasters using the public airwaves as=20
responsive to the communities they serve as they=20
should be? Does ownership reflect the makeup and=20
interests of those communities? But with the=20
hearing in Chicago, expect a good deal of time to=20
be spent on the sale of the Tribune Company and=20
the rules changes the company needs to continue=20
so-called cross-ownerships going forward, not=20
only for Chicago, but also for New York, Los=20
Angeles, Hartford and South Florida.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-wed_philsep19,0,1071725.c...
mn?track=3Drss
* When FCC comes to PUSH, media ownership will occupy centerstage
http://www.suntimes.com/business/feder/563145,CST-FIN-feder19.article

STUDY: TV STATION OWNERSHIP HAS IMPACT ON KIDS SHOWS
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: David Lieberman]
Children lose when a company acquires multiple TV=20
stations in their town, according to a study out=20
today from Children Now. In "Big Media, Little=20
Kids 2," which expands a 2003 study, Children Now=20
found the average time devoted to kids' shows=20
fell 70%, to nearly six hours a week, at stations=20
in eight markets that became part of a "duopoly"=20
or "triopoly" (two or three with one owner) from=20
1998 to 2006. By contrast, children's programming=20
fell 41%, to about five hours a week, at stations=20
that remained separate. "The duopoly stations are=20
performing the worst in a climate where all=20
broadcast stations are reducing their children's=20
programming," says University of Arizona=20
communications professor Dale Kunkel, who advised=20
Children Now. Children Now says that broadcasters=20
that won the right to own multiple stations in=20
cities promised to "enhance" public interest=20
programming. The report shows "that's not true,"=20
says Christy Glaubke, head of the group's media=20
monitoring program. "They cut at a far greater rate."
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20070920/1b_kidvid20.art.htm

RULE CHANGES NEEDED TO ADD VOICES IN MEDIA
[SOURCE: Chicago Tribune 9/18, AUTHOR: Dennis=20
Lyle, IL Broadcasters Association]
[Commentary] How do we ensure that diverse=20
communities get the coverage they deserve here in=20
Illinois? Broadcasters are pushing for steps that=20
will improve ownership opportunities for women=20
and minorities. We must have a public policy that=20
seeks to ensure a multitude of voices in the=20
media, while at the same time allowing enough=20
flexibility to foster a competitive and healthy=20
media market. Holding back an entire industry=20
with archaic media ownership rules and wishing=20
for change is not the proper solution. It is our=20
hope the FCC will recognize that its current=20
rules -- many adopted a generation ago -- do a=20
grave disservice to our local communities and the=20
diverse neighborhoods they serve.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/services/newspaper/printedition/tuesday/ch...
ped0918broadcasterssep18,0,6268536.story

CHICAGO'S MEDIA: BIG, BUT NOT DIVERSE
[SOURCE: Benton Foundation]
As the FCC commissioners travel to Chicago to=20
hold a public hearing on media ownership, Benton=20
releases a survey of recent research on the state=20
of the media in Chicago, showing that minority=20
and female ownership of broadcast media in=20
Chicago is already dismally poor; ownership of=20
the Chicago media is already concentrated in too=20
few hands; and Chicago's commercial television=20
newscasts are failing to serve the community adequately.
http://www.benton.org/node/7164

EFFECTS OF MEDIA OWNERSHIP CONSOLIDATION ON URBAN BLACK COMMUNITIES
[SOURCE: Lasar's Letter on the FCC, AUTHOR: Matthew Lasar]
At today's FCC media ownership hearing in=20
Chicago, Karen Bond Executive Director National=20
Black Coalition for Media Justice, will appear on=20
one of the discussion panels. She's likely to say=20
that Black communities are in crisis because=20
radio stations serving predominantly black urban=20
areas across the country are now owned, in large=20
part, by a single corporation. As a result, the=20
number of competitive, independent sources for=20
news and information in black communities=20
nationwide has been significantly reduced.=20
Because of unequal access to other means of mass=20
communications, black radio has played a unique=20
and historically significant role in the ability=20
of black people (and, in particular, black=20
politicians) to advance in this society. Although=20
much of the Chicago focus has been on=20
corporations like Clear Channel, it is important=20
to remember that Clear Channel is only doing what=20
the law allows them to do. Eventually, the only=20
just solution may be a corporate divestiture of=20
media outlets in cases where civil rights and=20
antitrust violations have taken place. We ask=20
that the FCC: 1) enforce the antitrust laws that=20
are already on the books 2) safeguard any civil=20
rights infringed upon by media ownership=20
consolidation, and 3) compensate for the special=20
circumstances media ownership consolidation has=20
created in disadvantaged communities across the country.
http://www.lasarletter.net/drupal/node/469

CBS LOOKING AT BUYING WEB SITES
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Robert MacMillan]
CBS President Les Moonves said the company is=20
looking at Internet sites "every single day of=20
the week ... We look at thousands of them to see=20
where we should invest, what we should buy." As=20
for large acquisitions, Moonves said the company=20
would consider a buy if the price is right. CBS=20
has no plans to spin off its outdoor advertising unit.
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSWEN104420070918
* CBS aims to be the talk of the Web
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-cbs20sep20,1,2480301....
ry?coll=3Dla-headlines-pe-business

BROADCASTING

SEN KOHL HAMMERS GOVERNMENT DTV-TRANSITION-EDUCATION EFFORTS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
At a hearing of the Senate Special Committee on=20
Aging, Committee Chairman Herb Kohl (D-WI) said=20
he is introducing a bill to establish a new=20
public-private digital-TV-education partnership=20
among the Federal Communications Commission, the=20
National Telecommunications & Information=20
Administration, the Administration on Aging and=20
"industry stakeholders.=94 Sen Kohl is concerned=20
that the federal effort to education consumers=20
about the February 2009 end to current analog TV=20
signals is not well coordinated. "Little is being=20
done to address the unique needs of seniors,"=20
said Sen Kohl, adding that a new study from U.S.=20
Public Interest Research Group shows that "due to=20
the impending transition, upselling and=20
misleading sales tactics already plague=20
electronics retailers in the D.C. metro area.=94=20
FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, who worked=20
as a staffer on the committee, said he thought=20
more coordination was needed, as well. Mark=20
Goldstein, director of physical infrastructure=20
issues, for the Government Accountability Office,=20
said there was a definite lack of coordination=20
between the FCC and NTIA, adding, "It is pretty=20
clear to us that there is no one in charge."=20
Saying that he thought the coordination ought=20
probably to fall to the FCC, he added that there=20
"seems to be some confusion between Chariman=20
Kevin Martin and some other commissioners=20
regarding what their responsibilities are."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6479818.html?rssid=3D193
* U.S. PIRG: Some Retailers Passing On Bad DTV Info
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6479879.html?rssid=3D193
* GAO: No Direction in Digital Transition
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DIGITAL_TV?SITE=3DVAHAR&SECTION=3...
CHNOLOGY&TEMPLATE=3DDEFAULT
* Testimony of NTIA head John Kneuer
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/congress/2007/Kneuer_SenateAging_091907...
* Digital Television Transition: Preliminary=20
Information on Initial Consumer Education=20
Efforts, by Mark L. Goldstein, director, physical=20
infrastructure issues, before the Senate Special=20
Committee on Aging. GAO-07-1248T, September 19.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-1248T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d071248thigh.pdf

"LEAVE NO VIEWER BEHIND"
[SOURCE: Lasar's Letter on the FCC, AUTHOR: Matthew Lasar]
The Benton Foundation filed comments at the FCC=20
calling on the Commission to require all TV=20
stations to air public service announcements=20
(PSAs) on the transition to digital-only=20
television broadcasting. "The Commission must=20
remain vigilant in enforcing rules so that=20
consumers are aware of their rights and protected=20
from unscrupulous vendors, access by people with=20
disabilities is ensured, and the transition has a=20
positive impact on consumers," Benton wrote in=20
its filing. Its comments puts Benton on a=20
collision course with the National Association of=20
Broadcasters (NAB), which on the same day=20
submitted comments demanding that the FCC refrain=20
from regulating the industry on the DTV transition.
http://www.lasarletter.net/drupal/node/466

WHITE SPACE PROPONENTS TO FCC: TAKE IT SLOW
[SOURCE: tvnewsday, AUTHOR: Kim McAvoy]
Stung by negative results of FCC testing, the=20
high-tech firms advocating unlicensed wireless=20
devices on vacant TV channels want the FCC to=20
consider the results of their latest field tests,=20
even if it means delaying a planned October vote.
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/09/19/daily.4/
* NAB, Reps. Inslee and Deal Look to Fill White Spaces
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The National Association of Broadcasters and a=20
pair of congressmen are filling the so-called=20
white spaces with ink in a battle over the use of=20
broadcast digital-TV spectrum. NAB president=20
David Rehr sent a letter to Grant Seiffert,=20
president of the Telecommunications Industry=20
Association, asking him to join with the NAB in=20
opposing allowing unlicensed devices in so-called=20
white spaces (the NAB calls them "interference=20
zones"), saying that the two associations share=20
an interest in preventing unlicensed=20
mobile-wireless devices like personal digital=20
assistants and laptops from being able to share=20
the spectrum band housing DTV broadcasters=20
because it would set a precedent. Reps. Jay=20
Inslee (D-Wash.) and Nathan Deal (R-Ga.) have=20
written their colleagues asking them not to be=20
swayed by broadcaster arguments against allowing=20
unlicensed mobile wireless devices like PDAs and=20
laptops to share the spectrum band housing DTV broadcasters.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6480079.html?rssid=3D193

NBC TO OFFER DOWNLOADS OF ITS SHOWS
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Bill Carter]
NBC Universal said yesterday that it would soon=20
permit consumers to download many of NBC=92s most=20
popular programs free to personal computers and=20
other devices for one week immediately after=20
their broadcasts. The service, which is set to=20
start in November after a test period in October,=20
comes less than three weeks after NBC Universal=20
said it was pulling its programs out of the=20
highly successful iTunes service of Apple Inc.=20
That partnership fell apart because of a dispute=20
over Apple=92s iTunes pricing policies and what NBC=20
executives said were concerns about lack of=20
piracy protection. NBC=92s move comes as companies=20
throughout the television business search for new=20
economic models in the face of enormous changes=20
in the business. Networks continue to lose=20
audience share, and viewers =97 especially many of=20
the highly prized viewers under 30 years old =97=20
are increasingly demanding control of their=20
program choices, insisting on being able to watch=20
shows when, where and how they want.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/business/media/20nbc.html?ref=3Dtodays...
er
(requires registration)
* A weeklong Web afterlife for NBC shows
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN1931768620070920

KIDS & MEDIA

CHILDHOOD-OBESITY REPORT DELAYED AGAIN
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The report from the government-industry task=20
force on obesity was not released Wednesday. The=20
task force said it would be a few more weeks. It=20
will be the second time the report has been=20
delayed. It was originally scheduled for=20
mid-July, but it was pushed back until September=20
in part to allow some of the companies involved=20
to unveil their own individual initiatives to cut=20
the marketing fat. According to several sources,=20
the hold-up has been getting some of the=20
children's activist groups on board, as they=20
believe the recommendations don't go far enough.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6479807.html?rssid=3D193

STUDY SUGGESTS MORE ALCOHOL RADIO ADS REACHING MINORS
[SOURCE: Associated Press]
In spite of spending less overall, about 36=20
percent of alcohol radio ads were placed on shows=20
that are =93youth oriented,=94 meaning that listeners=20
between the ages of 12 and 20 were more likely=20
per capita to listen to them than adults,=20
according to the new report from the Center on=20
Alcohol Marketing and Youth at Georgetown=20
University. =93What (alcohol companies are) doing=20
is more efficiently reaching kids. That's=20
presumably a waste of their marketing dollars -=20
there is no good reason for them to be doing it,=94=20
said David Jernigan, CAMY's executive director.
http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2007/09/19/news_state/104statenews04...

REP PICKERING INTRODUCES INDECENCY BILL
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
Rep. Chip Pickering (R-Miss) introduced the=20
Protecting Children from Indecent Programming=20
Act, which "requires the FCC to maintain a policy=20
that a single word or image may be considered=20
indecent in enforcing its regulations concerning=20
the broadcast of indecent programming over the=20
public airwaves." "Values, character and faith=20
are the foundation of the American family," Rep=20
Pickering said in announcing the bill. "Not one=20
of those principals is present in vulgarity or=20
the indecency of an image, whether it is shown=20
once or 10 times. Through this legislation, we=20
will end the discrepancy of how many times it=20
takes to claim profane material inappropriate and=20
enforceable by the FCC. We can continue to raise=20
our children as respectable, responsible and=20
honorable individuals who know right from wrong=20
and who know once is enough.=94 The American Civil=20
Liberties Union said no children would be helped in the making of this law.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6479901.html?rssid=3D193

MEDIA & ELECTIONS

PRESIDENTIAL AD WARS HEAT UP
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Howard Kurtz]
After a long stretch in which only three of the=20
presidential contenders have spent serious money=20
on the airwaves, the ad wars began to heat up=20
this week. Two leading Republican candidates have=20
largely limited themselves to online advertising,=20
with former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani=20
slamming Clinton in Web spots and former senator=20
Fred D. Thompson (Tenn.) assailing "Hillarycare"=20
in a video posted yesterday. Former Massachusetts=20
governor Mitt Romney has far outpaced the other=20
candidates in ad spending, devoting $6 million to=20
television spots, more than triple the $1.9=20
million spent by Gov. Bill Richardson (NM). In=20
Iowa, said Evan Tracey, chief operating officer=20
of the Campaign Media Analysis Group, the=20
candidates have "blown past the historic totals=20
of the last election" much earlier. Among other=20
Democrats, according to Tracey's group, Sen.=20
Barack Obama (IL) has spent $1.3 million; Sen.=20
Christopher J. Dodd (Conn.), $863,000; Sen=20
Hillary Clinton (NY), $475,000; and former=20
senator John Edwards (NC), $385,000.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/19/AR200709...
2152.html
(requires registration)

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

HEARING ON INTERNET CALLS TO 911
[SOURCE: Rep Ed Markey (D-MA) press release]
On Wednesday, House Subcommittee on=20
Telecommunications and the Internet Chairman Ed=20
Markey presided over a hearing on emergency=20
communications and more specifically, the=20
provisions of HR 3403, a bill designed to ensure=20
that a consumer calling 911 in an emergency from=20
an Internet phone, using so-called =93voice over=20
Internet protocol=94 or VoIP service, can do so=20
with a degree of confidence matching that of=20
traditional phone service and wireless service.=20
The bill seeks to achieve this goal through two=20
key provisions. The first provision extends=20
liability protections to VoIP service providers.=20
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lacks=20
authority to grant liability protection to VoIP=20
service providers and therefore Congress must=20
take action to achieve this policy objective.=20
This is similar to action this Subcommittee took=20
in 1999 when such liability protection was=20
accorded to wireless providers. The second key=20
provision in the bill establishes the right of=20
VoIP providers to access the parts of the 911=20
infrastructure they need in order to complete 911 calls for consumers.
http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=3Dcom_content&task=3Dview&id=3D...
6&Itemid=3D141
* Statement of House Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI)
"Few things are more important than the public=20
safety of our citizens, and one critical=20
component of our Nation=92s public safety network=20
is 9-1-1 service. When faced with any threat or=20
emergency, Americans expect to be able to pick up=20
the phone, dial 9-1-1 and obtain an immediate=20
response no matter what kind of phone or technology they use to make the ca=
ll."
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110st87.shtml

GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS

BUSH PRESSES CONGRESS TO EXTEND DOMESTIC SPYING
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Tabassum Zakaria]
President George W. Bush urged Congress on=20
Wednesday to expand the government's domestic=20
spying powers permanently or risk leaving the=20
country vulnerable to another terrorist attack.=20
President Bush said the 1978 law on surveillance=20
was "dangerously out of date" and unable to deal=20
with evolving technology such as disposable cell=20
phones and the Internet. The law must be changed=20
to give intelligence agencies the tools needed to=20
prevent attacks on American soil. "Without these=20
tools it'll be harder to figure out what our=20
enemies are doing to train, recruit and=20
infiltrate operatives into America," Bush said=20
during a visit to the National Security Agency,=20
which conducts surveillance of electronic=20
communications on targets around the world. The=20
White House also wants retroactive liability=20
protection for telecommunications firms that=20
helped the government in the warrantless spying=20
program and now face lawsuits. Some Democrats=20
also support protection for the firms.
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN1927542620070919

A SHIELD FOR THE PUBLIC
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Editorial staff]
[Commentary] For freedom of the press to be more=20
than a promise and for the public to be kept=20
informed about the doings of its government,=20
especially the doings that the government does=20
not want known, reporters must be able to pursue=20
the news wherever it takes them. One of the most=20
valuable tools they have is the ability to=20
protect the names of confidential sources =97=20
people who provide vital information at the risk=20
of their jobs, their careers and sometimes even=20
their lives. That is why it is so important for=20
Congress to finally pass a federal shield law for=20
journalists and why we commend Senators Arlen=20
Specter, Republican of Pennsylvania, and Charles=20
Schumer, Democrat of New York, for a compromise=20
bill designed to achieve passage.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/opinion/20thur1.html?ref=3Dtodayspaper
(requires registration)

QUICKLY

CITIES TURNING OFF PLANS FOR WI-FI
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: Judy Keen]
Plans to blanket cities across the nation with=20
low-cost or free wireless Internet access are=20
being delayed or abandoned because they are=20
proving to be too costly and=20
complicated. Houston, San Francisco, Chicago and=20
other cities are putting proposed Wi-Fi networks=20
on hold. "Wi-Fi woes everywhere you turn," says=20
Russell Hancock of Silicon Valley Network, a=20
troubled Wi-Fi project for 40 towns in California's high-tech corridor.
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070920/1a_lede20.art.htm

COMPANIES TRY TO TEACH OLD PHONES NEW TRICKS
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Amol Sharma=20
amol.sharma( at )wsj.com and Jessica E. Vascellaro ]
In recent years, as phone companies have beefed=20
up their cellphones with a steady stream of=20
enhancements, innovations to the old land-line=20
phone have been slow to come. But now, in a move=20
largely designed to keep consumers from ditching=20
land lines, phone companies are adding to home=20
phones some of the features popular on mobile=20
devices, like address books and text messaging.=20
And equipment makers' latest home and office=20
phones include a range of new features like=20
in-home video baby monitoring, instant messaging,=20
and access to email and the Web. The stakes are=20
huge for the phone companies, especially those=20
such as Embarq Corp., Qwest Communications=20
International Inc. and Windstream Corp. that=20
don't own their own wireless networks and are=20
most susceptible to the increasing consumer shift=20
away from traditional phones to cellphones. A=20
recent survey by Harris Interactive Inc. found=20
that 11% of U.S. adults use only their cellphones to make calls.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119024702938333201.html?mod=3Dtodays_us_...
ketplace
(requires subscription)

AMERICANS GIVING UP FRIENDS, SEX FOR WEB
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Belinda Goldsmith]
Surfing the net has become an obsession for many=20
Americans with the majority of U.S. adults=20
feeling they cannot go for a week without going=20
online and one in three giving up friends and sex=20
for the Web. A survey asked 1,011 American adults=20
how long they would feel OK without going on the=20
Web, to which 15 percent said a just a day or=20
less, 21 percent said a couple of days and=20
another 19 percent said a few days. Only a fifth=20
of those who took part in an online survey=20
conducted by advertising agency JWT between Sept=20
7 and 11 said they could go for a week.
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSKUA00315920070920

SPANISH-SPEAKING HISPANICS ARE 'AVID' NEWSPAPER READERS
[SOURCE: Editor&Publisher, AUTHOR: Mark Fitzgerald]
Hispanics whose first language is Spanish are=20
among America's most avid newspaper readers,=20
according to a new study of how ethnic groups use=20
old and new media. The study by the Florida State=20
University Center for Hispanic Marketing=20
Communication contains more good news for=20
newspapers, finding that the time spent reading=20
print is not going down among whites, African=20
Americans, Asian Americans, and English-speaking=20
Hispanics despite their heavy use of the Internet=20
and television. The study also found that=20
Spanish-speaking Hispanics are the most avid magazine readers.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_con...
t_id=3D1003643740

DAN RATHER SUES CBS FOR $70 MILLION
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: ]
Former news anchor Dan Rather sued CBS on=20
Wednesday for $70 million, claiming the network=20
violated his contract by not giving him enough=20
air time and made him a scapegoat in a bid to=20
"pacify the White House." The 75-year-old Texan=20
stepped down as anchor of the "CBS Evening News"=20
after 24 years in March 2005 following a scandal=20
over his reporting on President George W. Bush's=20
military record. He kept reporting for the weekly=20
news program "60 Minutes," but left CBS in June=20
2006 because he said they offered him no=20
assignments. The lawsuit was filed in State=20
Supreme Court in Manhattan against CBS, CBS Chief=20
Executive Leslie Moonves, Viacom, Viacom Chief=20
Executive Sumner Redstone and Andrew Heyward, the=20
former president of CBS News. It claims CBS cost=20
Rather "significant financial loss and seriously damaged his reputation."
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1929787220070919
* CBS Is Sued by Rather Over Ouster
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/business/media/20cbs.html?ref=3Dtodays...
er
* Dan Rather Sues CBS, Seeking To 'Restore His Reputation'
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/19/AR200709...
1445.html
* Rather sues ex-boss CBS for $70 million
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20070920/d_topstrip20.art.htm
* Rather's suit singles out CBS executives
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-fi-rather20sep20,1,101...
4.story?coll=3Dla-headlines-frontpage
--------------------------------------------------------------
Communications-related Headlines is a free online=20
news summary service provided by the Benton=20
Foundation (www.benton.org). Posted Monday=20
through Friday, this service provides updates on=20
important industry developments, policy issues,=20
and other related news events. While the=20
summaries are factually accurate, their often=20
informal tone does not always represent the tone=20
of the original articles. Headlines are compiled=20
by Kevin Taglang headlines( at )benton.org -- we welcome your comments.
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