Politics

Top GOP Donor Favored As Next CPB Head

by Laura Miller — July 19, 2005 - 6:55pm

"A leading Republican donor who once suggested that public broadcasting journalists should be penalized for biased programs is the top candidate to succeed the controversial chairman at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting," the Washington Post reports. Bush-appointee Cheryl F. Halpern has sat on the CPB board for three years and is slated to replace Ken Tomlinson, a close ally, as the agency's head.

Main Source:

Washington Post, July 15, 2005

Gosh, Here's a Shocker

by Sheldon Rampton — June 26, 2005 - 5:33pm

"President Bush has nominated as chief of enforcement for the Environmental Protection Agency a partner in a law firm defending W.R. Grace & Co. against criminal charges in a major environmental case," reports Andrew Schneider. "EPA employees were told late Thursday that Bush had nominated Granta Nakayama to lead the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. ... Nakayama, 46, a specialist in environmental law, is a full partner in Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

Main Source:

Baltimore Sun, June 25, 2005

The Campaign For The Bush Agenda

by Laura Miller — June 1, 2005 - 7:13pm

Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman recently told NBC News' Elizabeth Wilner his assessment of the media's coverage of the White House.

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Washington Post, May 29, 2005

Labouring Under Illusions

by Diane Farsetta — May 24, 2005 - 2:14pm

Britain's Channel 4 documentary "Undercover in New Labour" includes footage from "a reporter wearing hidden cameras who volunteered to work on the party's election campaign and ended up being drafted to work at its national PR headquarters." The documentary shows Labour staff using "party supporters in key professions from medicine and the law to the armed forces and the police, who were prepared to appear on TV and in the papers and lie through their teeth that their support for this or that policy was entirely un

Main Source:

Guardian, May 23, 2005

Democracy's Great, but the Elections Are Boring

by Diane Farsetta — May 2, 2005 - 2:43pm

In the lead-up to Thursday's UK national election, the Christian Science Monitor reports on "the growing insinuation of spin and professional marketing into British politics." The Independent publishes a wide-ranging interview with Sir Timothy Bell, the influential owner of

Main Source:

The Independent, May 2, 2005

Getting Spin with a Little Help from Friends

by Diane Farsetta — April 19, 2005 - 6:22pm

"As House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) faces increasing scrutiny over various allegations of ethical lapses, a powerful cadre of friends and colleagues is stepping up to help protect his image," reports PR Week.

Main Source:

PR Week (sub. req'd.), April 18, 2005

Boston Columnist Beaned

by Diane Farsetta — April 11, 2005 - 12:37pm

Following revelations that columnist Charles Chieppo had a second contract with the Massachusetts state government, in addition to the $60-per-hour environmental affairs position, the Boston Herald "decided to sever" their relationship. Chieppo disclosed the environmental contract to the Herald's editorial page editor, but not his $100-per-hour position with the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. Chieppo said "it did not occur to him" to alert the paper to his convention center work.

Main Source:

Boston Globe, April 9, 2005

Atlas Offspring Used U.S. Funds to Oppose Chávez

In 1984, the Atlas Economic Research Foundation helped set up a think tank in Venezuela called the Center for the Dissemination of Economic Information (or Centro de Divulgación del Conocimiento Económico, CEDICE). But contrary to Atlas' emphasis on independence, CEDICE has received U.S. funds to support the failed attempts to remove Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez from office. In its Summer 2004 Investor Report, Atlas writes, "Venezuela is not California, so no matter what happens with the recall referendum . . . the country will continue to face a daunting populist menace. All those involved with CEDICE . . . have been an invaluable and courageous voice for freedom, peace and prosperity."