Collected and Edited by Rick Kaempfer
Highlights and links to the big stories in the news this week about the media. This column appears twice a week at MEDIA NOTEBOOK
Bob Collins named to Radio Hall of Fame, Dahl nominated
(Chicago Sun Times) Robert Feder writes: "Bob Collins, the shrewd "good ol' boy" who was Chicago radio's top-rated morning personality for 14 years, will be inducted posthumously in the Radio Hall of Fame. At the height of his popularity on Tribune Co.-owned news/talk WGN-AM (720), 'Uncle Bobby' (as Collins was known) was killed in 2000 when the small plane he was piloting collided with another plane and crashed...Chicago icon Steve Dahl was nominated for the second time in the local/regional category, along with Howie Carr of Boston, Bob Grant of New York, and Ronn Owens of San Francisco. Dahl, who hosts mornings on CBS Radio adult hits WJMK-FM (104.3), told listeners Tuesday that he was so upset about losing to New York's Scott Shannon in 2006 that he didn't think he could take losing again."
Murdoch & Zell appointed to AP Board(Associated Press) Rupert Murdoch and Sam Zell, two media figures who led major newspaper acquisitions in recent months, are among four new members joining the board of directors of The Associated Press, it was announced Monday at the news cooperative's annual meeting.
(Rick's note: You know, I was just thinking to myself...'why doesn't anyone let Zell or Murdoch have a little more power?')
China demands apology from CNN commentary
(NY Times) This is wild. When was the last time a commentator had to apologize to an entire country? Jim Yardley writes: "China on Tuesday intensified its criticism of the foreign news media's coverage of the Tibetan crisis by demanding that CNN apologize for sharply critical remarks made last week about the Chinese government by one of its commentators. Jiang Yu, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, categorized the remarks as a slander against all Chinese people, though CNN later said the criticism by the commentator, Jack Cafferty, reflected his personal opinion and was focused solely on the government. 'We are shocked at, and strongly condemn, the vicious remarks' by Mr. Cafferty 'against the Chinese people,' Ms. Jiang said during a regular news briefing. 'We solemnly demand that CNN and Cafferty retract his vicious remarks and apologize to the whole Chinese people.'"
CLICK HERELaura Bush to guest host the Today Show
(TV Newser) For the first time ever, a sitting First Lady of the United States will guest host the Today show. Laura Bush will co-host the 9am hour of the show next Tuesday, April 22, and she will be joined by her daughter, Jenna Bush during the program. Bush will be involved in all aspects of the show, from interviewing guests to participating in segments. She will also give a special look at her new children's book, "Read All About It!" An interview with Ann Curry from the Crawford ranch will also air.
ESPN cancels Obama interview
(New York Daily News) Rush & Malloy write: "Doesn't ESPN think sports fans want to hear Barack Obama? At the last minute, network executives killed a podcast with the senator that was scheduled for Friday with host Bill Simmons. The presidential candidate was all ready to do it. 'Senator Obama would be happy to appear on ESPN at any time,' said his spokesman, Tommy Vietor. It's not the first time the sports network has canceled an appearance by the Democratic front-runner. According to a campaign source, a television interview set up with host Stu Scott was canceled by higher-ups as well...It's of interest that ESPN president George Bodenheimer has supported Republican Sen. John McCain's presidential bid with a donation of $1,000."
(Rick's note: Liberal media, schliberal media. Once again--the people on the air may be liberal, but their bosses--the guys who make the decisions--are not.)
CLICK HERE
An interview with Dan Rather
(Eat the Press) Rachel Sklar speaks to former "CBS Evening News" anchor Dan Rather about the recent travails of the current anchor of that program, namely Katie Couric and the recent reports that she will be leaving her $15-million-per-year contract early. Rather gives some thoughts on Couric and the future of CBS News, as well as his lawsuit against his former employer.
At CBS, Bad News Doesn't End at 7(NY Times) Brian Stelter writes: "Katie Couric may be the least of Leslie Moonves’s worries. While the fate of Ms. Couric and the “CBS Evening News” is in the headlines, the entire CBS News division represents only a fraction of the CBS broadcast network’s revenue. More perplexing is the prime-time schedule, where no new hit has emerged this year, and as a result, CBS is likely to lose the crown of most-watched network to the Fox network."
Indecency cases stuck in legal limbo at FCC
(LA Times) Jim Puzzanghera writes: "As federal judges consider pivotal cases about what constitutes offensive TV and radio broadcasts, an expletive might best describe the state of the federal government's enforcement of indecency rules. It's all bleeped-up. Thousands of viewer and listener complaints about programs are backed up at the Federal Communications Commission, where officials acknowledge the legal limbo has tied their hands. The FCC is reluctant to rule on these cases until the U.S. Supreme Court hands down a decision on indecency standards -- its first in three decades. 'The FCC finds itself in a very difficult position,' said Jeremy Lipschultz, director of the school of communication at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and author of a book on indecency regulation. 'They're in the cross hairs of this battle, and I think they're trying to navigate as carefully as they can.'"
CLICK HEREWall Street Journal Parody rips Murdoch
(My Wall Street Journal) Check out this new satirical take on Rupert Murdoch and his new Wall Street Journal. This is written by veterans of the Onion and the Daily Show among others.
Ann Coulter piece from My Wall Street Journal (warning: fake nudity)
Video of fake Rupert Murdoch from My Wall Street Journal (warning: bad language)
Megyn Kelly: Fox News' Fastest Rising Anchor(Washington Post) Howard Kurtz writes: "Kelly sent Fox a tape, which immediately impressed Brit Hume, the Washington managing editor, and his wife Kim, then the bureau chief. 'Here is this woman who was strikingly attractive but has tremendous air presence and a very strong voice,' Hume says. 'We were knocked out. It was screamingly obvious that this was someone with tremendous potential.' What's more, says Hume, 'she seemed to get what we've talked about with 'fair and balanced news' . . . She came in believing there was a left bias in the news. That's not common.' He quickly created an opening for her."
The Daily Show's "Documentary" about Fox News
(Eat the Press) Rachel Sklar writes: "The Daily Show's John Oliver put together a stunning smackdown of Fox News, punctuated by some damning clips showing egregious comments from some anchors (John Gibson, natch) and some — gasp! — flip-flopping on certain positions (like, say, executive privilege). Watch as Oliver tries to sneak into Fox HQ dressed as the Statue of Liberty, hosts a pundit shoutfest, and waves many flags. Featuring Rupert Murdoch, Roger Ailes, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Neil Cavuto, Chris Wallace, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George Bush, Bill Hemmer, Megyn Kelly, Jim Pinkerton, Peter Hart, Newt Gingrich and the super-chipper Gretchen Carlson."
(The video of this hilarious piece is available at the link above)
CLICK HERE
Why Generation-Y Doesn't Care About Radio
(Inside Music Media) JERRY DEL COLLIANO writes: "When I arrived at USC four years ago for my radio sabbatical, I was shocked to find young people so distanced from radio. It didn't take me long to find out why. Other alternatives. More time on the computer, cell phones, social networks like Facebook, but the worst cut of all was the one that could have been prevented. In my observation (and I emphasize you're reading my observations which may be skewed), young people had a relatively easy time turning away from radio because radio stopped vying for a place in their lives."
An interview with Barry Keefe(Chicago Radio Spotlight) Last weekend I spoke with long-time WTMX newsman Barry Keefe. It was his last day on the air Friday, and he reminisced about his thirty years at the same FM station. Coming this weekend, WDRV morning man Steve Downes.
