Syndicated political columnist and television pundit Robert D. Novak was issued a $50 traffic citation yesterday after he struck and slightly injured a pedestrian while driving in his convertible Corvette. Novak, who was on his way to work when the incident occurred, said the bicyclist was "shouting at me that I couldn't just hit people and drive away. But I didn't know I'd hit him."
Source: Washington Post. Posted July 23, 2008, 7:01 AM PDT.
Jon Friedman writes: "Journalists love to be surprised... That happened to me last week, when I got an email that read: "The Nation Introduces News Sex Column... The Nation? A sex column? What's wrong with this picture? JoAnn Wypijewski, who is writing the new 'Carnal Knowledge' column, sees the exploration of sex as a natural corollary to examining politics."
Source: Marketwatch. Posted July 23, 2008, 6:33 AM PDT.
In the next few months, as David Gregory finishes his "Race for the White House" show, he’ll have to try and shake off the blessing and curse of being labeled the next Sam Donaldson -- that is, the legacy of a star White House correspondent who never quite found another suitable role in television away from Pennsylvania Avenue.
Halfway through his stint at the 6 p.m. hour on MSNBC, Gregory’s numbers are solid but not remarkable.
Source: New York Observer. Posted July 23, 2008, 6:13 AM PDT.
Former CBS3 anchor Larry Mendte was a man obsessed, if a record compiled by federal investigators is any measure, hacking into the personal email of one-time colleague Alycia Lane 537 times in 146 days, checking in 10 or more times on busy days.
He logged in from home, his desk at CBS3, his Shore home in Ocean City and even the Union League. He did so virtually round the clock.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer. Posted July 22, 2008, 6:41 AM PDT.
The New York Observer is reporting that a team of Hollywood insiders is currently working on a screen adaptation of Truth And Duty: The Press, the President, and the Privilege of Power—the 2005 book by former CBS News producer Mary Mapes, in which she defends the 60 Minutes II story by Dan Rather.
Source: New York Observer. Posted July 22, 2008, 6:19 AM PDT.
A mildly exasperated NBC News team dismissed complaints about overcovering Barack Obama's Middle East trip this week as a lot of "hot air" -- and also declared that MSNBC viewers don't mind a bit if opinionated analysts like Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann anchor straight news coverage.
Source: New York Daily News. Posted July 22, 2008, 6:03 AM PDT.
Brian Lowry writes: "Let's face it: TV and radio stations rely on the local newspaper for most of their news. So what happens to those "rip and read" broadcasters as print staffs shrivel amid the draconian layoffs strafing the newspaper industry? Here's what: Shrinking print coverage threatens to trigger a 'domino effect' as news operations downsize, feeding the strange Internet age conundrum where there's more information but less real news."
Source: Variety. Posted July 21, 2008, 6:43 AM PDT.
Speculation over her departure from the "CBS Evening News" had already died down in recent weeks, but Couric and CBS News/Sports prexy Sean McManus reaffirmed their commitment Friday to the newscast as currently configured.
"We have no plans to part company any time soon," Couric told reporters at the TV Critics Association press tour.
Source: Variety. Posted July 21, 2008, 6:19 AM PDT.
David Carr's latest subject is a pathetic human being, a thug, a manipulative jerk who uses people and puts his own kids in danger.
The New York Times media columnist is writing about himself. He is unsparing as he rips the protective bark off his life, baring his past addictions to crack and alcohol in a memoir titled "The Night of the Gun."
Source: Washington Post. Posted July 21, 2008, 6:06 AM PDT.
Cygnus Business Media has filed a lawsuit against Impact Business Media, the company founded by a former employee who left Cygnus this spring with three fellow staffers to launch a competing magazine. Cygnus alleges that former group publisher Greg Napert, who launched Director of Maintenance, broke confidentiality and non-solicitation agreements.
Source: Folio. Posted July 18, 2008, 7:52 PM PDT.
President Bush fondly remembered Tony Snow Thursday, telling mourners at Snow's funeral that the conservative commentator-turned-White House press secretary "amassed a rare record of accomplishment."
"He knew the job of a reporter was vigorous. He understood the profession and always treated it with respect," said Bush.
Source: FoxNews.com. Posted July 18, 2008, 8:31 AM PDT.
The chief executive of CBS and the former president of CBS News have agreed to answer questions from lawyers for Dan Rather, who has accused the network of violating his contract by giving him little to do after forcing him off the “CBS Evening News” in 2005.
Source: New York Times. Posted July 18, 2008, 6:48 AM PDT.
Nearly three years after it could have been dealt a fatal blow by the departure of Ted Koppel, ABC's "Nightline" has bucked the odds to not only survive but thrive. But with Jay Leno's departure set to shake up late-night TV, "Nightline" may be facing an even stiffer challenge to survive.
Posted July 18, 2008, 6:28 AM PDT.
