Fox News is the most unapologetically biased major American news operation since the era of yellow journalism.

Fox News is the most unapologetically biased major American news operation since the era of yellow journalism. It tilts right and Republican and makes only the most cursory pretense otherwise.(Tim Rutten-L.A. Times)

Posted at 01:03 PM | Related posts: Television | Comments (0)

"We're TV guys. Our whole business is about promoting television and keeping viewers aware of television."

"We're TV guys. Our whole business is about promoting television and keeping viewers aware of television."(Reuters)

Posted at 03:33 PM | Related posts: Television | Comments (0)

Big drop in reading in America

Only 47 per cent of American adults read literature (poems, plays, narrative fiction) in 2002, a drop of 7 points from a decade earlier. Just 57 per cent read any book at all in 2002, down from 61 per cent. (AP via Sydney Morning Herald)

Posted at 04:06 PM | Related posts: Television | Comments (0)

INXS to star in reality TV show

Rock group INXS are to search for a new lead singer on a reality TV show.
The show, titled Rock Star, will see the band hold auditions on five continents to find a replacement for Michael Hutchence, who died in 1997. (BBC)

Posted at 12:40 AM | Related posts: Television | Comments (0)

Fox Cancels Gay-Themed Reality Show Amid Criticism

Fox television said Thursday it has canceled plans to air a two-hour special titled "Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay," in which two straight men compete for $50,000 by trying to pass themselves off as homosexuals.
A network spokeswoman said the reality show, which had been slated to air June 7, was pulled off the schedule "for creative reasons" after Fox executives previewed the program....GLAAD first questioned the show's premise as potentially offensive after seeing promotional materials stating that the two contestants would immerse themselves in "the gay lifestyle" and later be judged by a "jury of their queers" -- a panel of gay men who would decide who was the most convincing. (Washington Post)

Posted at 11:26 PM | Related posts: Television | Comments (0)

Berlusconi's media muscle cited as TV chief resigns

Berlusconi's media muscle cited as TV chief resigns---
Berlusconi's family controls RAI's rival, the private network Mediaset. As prime minister he exercises control over the state-owned RAI's three networks.
At the same time, he is trying to push through a bill which critics say is tailored to the interests of his media empire.
Berlusconi supporters deny charges of interference, noting that appointees to the RAI board had been made by prime ministers long before Berlusconi came to office.
But Ms Annunziata's tenure has been plagued by claims of intervention. On Monday Berlusconi asked television and radio networks not to broadcast stories about Italian hostages in Iraq, claiming that some media reports had been "dangerous for the safety of the hostages"...Last week the Freedom House, a non-profit organisation, ranked Italy 74th for media freedom. That is below Mali and Benin and in the "partly free" category with Albania.
Berlusconi dismisses concerns over a conflict of interest between his political office and business interests. Through his business interests and political office the Prime Minister oversees 90 per cent of Italian television. (Sydney Morning Herald)

Posted at 02:13 PM | Related posts: Television | Comments (0)

Plastic surgery, as seen on TV

Plastic surgery, as seen on TV---The new reality shows and documentaries "in a way are just making plastic surgeons' lives more difficult," adds Haworth. "They instill unrealistic expectations in patients and those patients bring them into their surgeons, who have to spend more time" counseling them on the limits of plastic surgery. (L.A. Times)

Posted at 03:47 AM | Related posts: Bizarro World, | Related posts: Television | Comments (0)