News: Halle Berry in Poor Health?

[Ideal08]

Originally posted by Taykimson
Bush Administration Accused of Manufacturing the News

By Mark Sage, PA News, in New York


The Bush Administration is being investigated for producing “ready made” television news packages in which actors were paid to pose as journalists, it emerged today.

“TV news releases” were sent to local stations to be run as part of main news programmes.

But Federal investigators have launched an investigation into whether the adverts were “propaganda”, amid allegations that they were an attempt to “manipulate the press”.

The “news” packages praised a new law, signed by the president in December, which the White House has said will make it easier for elderly American’s to obtain prescribed medicines.

In some of the features, there are pictures of Mr Bush receiving a standing ovation from a crowd as he signed the “Medicare” law.

The packages were produced by the Department of Health and Human Services, but news viewers would have no way of knowing they were watching a Government-produced story, rather than an independent news report.

They have been screened in several states, including Oklahoma and Louisiana.

Two of the videos end with the voice of a woman who says: “In Washington, I’m Karen Ryan reporting.”

The production company, Home Front Communications, said “Karen Ryan” was hired to read a script prepared by the Government.

Scripts were pre-written for news anchors.

In one script the news reader is prompted to say: “In December, President Bush signed into law the first-ever prescription drug benefit for people with Medicare.

“Since then, there have been a lot of questions about how the law will help older Americans and people with disabilities.

“Reporter Karen Ryan helps sort through the details.” “Karen Ryan” then explains the benefits of the new law.

In another video, a pharmacist is shown speaking to an elderly customer.

They agree on camera that the new law is a “good idea” after the pharmacist explains that it “helps you better afford your medications”.

The made-for-TV-news packages are now being investigated by the General Accounting Office – an arm of Congress.

Under law federal money cannot be used for “publicity or propaganda purposes”, unless authorised by Congress.

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services, said the use of video news releases was “common”.

“Anyone who has questions about this practice needs to do some research on modern public information tools,” he told the New York Times.

But Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg called the video packages “disturbing”.

“The distribution of these videos is a covert attempt to manipulate the press,” he said.

And Bill Kovach, chairman of the Committee of Concerned Journalists, told the newspaper that the Government-made “news” items were “the next thing to fraud”.

“It’s running a paid advertisement in the heart of a news program,” he said.


http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2652922

But people can't WAIT to boycott Jayson Blair.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by abaici
Um, soror...first you would have to marry a person of Will Smith's caliber.

You know, she already THANK she is Mrs. DeAngelo. . .

[lostnfound117]

lol. I posted that under the Whitney Enters drug rehab thread.

[Taykimson]

Originally posted by Ideal08
But people can't WAIT to boycott Jayson Blair.

I'm not following Soror...I know who he is and why he has been in the news recently...but I'm not following your statement.

[soulfulremix]

I think Soror Ideal is trying to make the point that people want to crucify Blair for his actions, but Bush is still the president. He gave approval for the same thing that made people dislike Blair.

I hope I made it clear.

[Ideal08]

Originally posted by soulfulremix
I think Soror Ideal is trying to make the point that people want to crucify Blair for his actions, but Bush is still the president. He gave approval for the same thing that made people dislike Blair.

I hope I made it clear.

Yeah, that's what I was saying, Soror. And not just Bush, but the Dept of Health and Human Services, too!!! How long have they been airing fake news reports???? First WMD and now Medicare. What's next?

[soulfulremix]

Originally posted by Ideal08
Yeah, that's what I was saying, Soror. And not just Bush, but the Dept of Health and Human Services, too!!! How long have they been airing fake news reports???? First WMD and now Medicare. What's next?

OK, Soror Ideal alias Conspiracy Theory !

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by Ideal08
Yeah, that's what I was saying, Soror. And not just Bush, but the Dept of Health and Human Services, too!!! How long have they been airing fake news reports???? First WMD and now Medicare. What's next?

Soror. I don't like this president. But I also dislike Jayson Blair because he makes the job of legitimate journalists of color, such as myself, much harder.

[Ideal08]

Originally posted by Steeltrap
Soror. I don't like this president. But I also dislike Jayson Blair because he makes the job of legitimate journalists of color, such as myself, much harder.

Soror, I knew you would say that, and I understand. I just hate the double standard that exists in our society, especially amongst our people.

Um, could you clean out your PM box, please? Thanks!

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by Ideal08
Soror, I knew you would say that, and I understand. I just hate the double standard that exists in our society, especially amongst our people.

Um, could you clean out your PM box, please? Thanks!

Done. And I feel you on the double standard. I don't like how some of our slip-ups are held against all of us.

[UpPinkies]

Originally posted by abaici
Um, soror...first you would have to marry a person of Will Smith's caliber.

LOL..so right.

[Taykimson]

Thanks Sorors Soulfoul Remix and Ideal08.

It was late at night and my brain wasn't up to peak function - LOL.

I agree with the double standard. The double standard also applies to Rep. vs. Dem.

Imagine if Clinton had pulled GW's stunts...Now I know Clinton was wrong for inappropriate use of government property (whew, I am cracking myself up), anyway the Reps would have
physically thrown him out.

[AKA2D '91]

J.J. Jackson, Original MTV VJ, Dies
1 hour, 11 minutes ago

By ALEX VEIGA, Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES - John 'J.J.' Jackson, who in the 1980s helped usher in the music video era as one of the first MTV on-air personalities, has died. He was 62.



Jackson, a longtime radio station disc jockey, died of an apparent heart attack Wednesday while driving home from dinner in Los Angeles, friends and radio industry colleagues said Thursday.


"I talked to him like two days ago. J.J. was in a great place," said Mark Goodman, a longtime friend who also worked with Jackson as a 'VJ' when MTV launched in 1981. "It's incredible, so incredibly sad it happened like this."


In a statement, MTV said Jackson's love of music and good humor helped set the tone for the cable music network in its formative years.


"He was a big part of the channel's success and we are sure he is in the music section of heaven, with lots of his friends and heroes," the statement said. "He will be greatly missed."


Jackson's career in broadcasting began in radio. He first gained prominence while working at WBCN in Boston in the late 1960s, then moved in 1971 to Los Angeles where he took on the afternoon radio slot at KLOS.


In the late '70s, he worked as a music reporter for KABC-TV, then it was off to New York and MTV, where his musical knowledge, hewn over years in radio, helped ease his transition to a new format for music, Goodman said.


"It was a great experience for him. He came in already knowing and being successful," Goodman said. "We were all thrust into the spotlight and he was able to take the things that happened at MTV with stride."


After five years at MTV, Jackson returned to radio in Los Angeles, including a stint hosting a nationally syndicated show on the Westwood One Radio Network. Most recently, he was hosting an afternoon slot at Los Angeles' KTWV.


"All of us at The Wave (KTWV) are saddened by the news about J.J.," said Samantha Wiedmann, assistant program director for KTWV. "He was a warm, kind person whose track record in the industry speaks for itself."


Goodman said Jackson had been divorced for some time. He had a daughter and two grandchildren in the Bahamas, Goodman said

[AKA2D '91]

& Red' Move to Fox 'Hood
Fri Mar 19, 4:20 AM ET Add Entertainment - Reuters TV to My Yahoo!


By Cynthia Littleton

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Fox Broadcasting Co. has given a 13-episode series order to a buddy comedy starring rappers Method Man and Redman.



"Method & Red" revolves around the fish-out-of-water antics that ensue when two highly successful rappers move into a predominantly white, affluent gated community in New Jersey. The two are all set to revel in the high life until Method Man's mother decides to move in with them and restore a little order to the house.


"These guys are so funny and charming," Fox executive vp Craig Erwich said. "They have a very original voice, and they bring a unique group of characters in terms of their ensemble."


The series was created by Kell Cahoon ("Just Shoot Me"), who is executive producing along with Will Gluck (Fox's short-lived sitcom "Luis"). It started with a pitch from Method Man for a show that would offer a hip-hop twist on the "Odd Couple" theme.


The project was put on the development fast track last year, and the pilot wrapped production late last month, a time when most comedy pilots are still in the casting stage.


Fox executives have said they intend to launch several new series during the summer months this year, but Erwich said no decision has been made on a premiere date for "Method & Red."


Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
& Red' Move to Fox 'Hood
Fri Mar 19, 4:20 AM ET Add Entertainment - Reuters TV to My Yahoo!


By Cynthia Littleton

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Fox Broadcasting Co. has given a 13-episode series order to a buddy comedy starring rappers Method Man and Redman.



"Method & Red" revolves around the fish-out-of-water antics that ensue when two highly successful rappers move into a predominantly white, affluent gated community in New Jersey. The two are all set to revel in the high life until Method Man's mother decides to move in with them and restore a little order to the house.


"These guys are so funny and charming," Fox executive vp Craig Erwich said. "They have a very original voice, and they bring a unique group of characters in terms of their ensemble."


The series was created by Kell Cahoon ("Just Shoot Me"), who is executive producing along with Will Gluck (Fox's short-lived sitcom "Luis"). It started with a pitch from Method Man for a show that would offer a hip-hop twist on the "Odd Couple" theme.


The project was put on the development fast track last year, and the pilot wrapped production late last month, a time when most comedy pilots are still in the casting stage.


Fox executives have said they intend to launch several new series during the summer months this year, but Erwich said no decision has been made on a premiere date for "Method & Red."


Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

Do we really need this?