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Laura Sydell
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Laura Sydell

Saturday

Weekend Edition Saturday

News By Web Log

NPR's Laura Sydell reports that the war in Iraq has generated increased interest in blogs, short for web logs. Blogging is the web-based practice of keeping an ever-updated personal account of some subject. Bloggers have become archivists, culling information they feel is not being presented in mainstream media and providing links to foreign news sources.

News By Web Log

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Friday

Special Coverage : Iraq

TV Coverage of Iraq War & Ethics of Embedding Journalists with Troops

The first ground images of the Iraqi conflict are unfolding on television news programs. Since the 1991 Gulf War, technology has developed to the point that TV viewers can now watch the war as it unfolds. As NPR's Laura Sydell reports, this is raising some concerns among journalists.

TV Coverage of Iraq War & Ethics of Embedding Journalists with Troops

Audio will be available later today.

Friday

National

Iraq Debate Prompts Media-Bias Charges from Both Sides

Protesters are expected this weekend in Washington, D.C., California and overseas for what's being billed as a last-chance effort to stop a war with Iraq. Anti-war protesters say their views aren't being covered in the news. But supporters of military action say the media is biased against President Bush. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

Iraq Debate Prompts Media-Bias Charges from Both Sides

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Tuesday

Sunday

National

Victims Criticize CBS for Airing Rapist's Videotapes

Victims of convicted rapist Andrew Luster criticize CBS News for airing videotapes Luster made of himself raping sedated women. The issue prompts debate about the use of lurid materials on news programs. NPR's Laura Sydell.

Victims Criticize CBS for Airing Rapist's Videotapes

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Tuesday

Business

Spanish-Language Programming on the Rise

The number of U.S. cable and entertainment companies that market to native Spanish speakers grows. Some networks create new channels geared toward Hispanics, the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

Spanish-Language Programming on the Rise

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Tuesday

Business

Newspaper Chains Reach Deal in Anti-Trust Case

Village Voice Media and New Times Media reach an agreement with the Justice Department after being accused of anti-trust law violations. Federal attorneys say the two alternative newspaper chains illegally divided up their Los Angeles and Cleveland markets. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

Newspaper Chains Reach Deal in Anti-Trust Case

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Saturday

Business

Sony Tries New Super Bowl Ad Approach

Amid the blizzard of new ads coming on Super Bowl Sunday, Sony tries a new approach. The company will try to sell its electronics products with an ad featuring singer Alana Davis -- and urge viewers to download Davis's version of the Crosby, Stills classic "Carry On" from the Internet for 99 cents. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

Sony Tries New Super Bowl Ad Approach

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Wednesday

Business

Hispanic Media Merger Draws Justice Department Scrutiny

The Justice Department reviews a proposed union of two Spanish-language media companies to see if it violates federal media ownership rules. Some consumer groups say Univision's acquisition of the radio chain Hispanic Broadcasting -- a $2 billion deal -- would give the new company unprecedented control of the Hispanic market. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

Hispanic Media Merger Draws Justice Department Scrutiny

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Thursday

All Things Considered

Smart Billboards Catching On

Electronic billboards that can "read" the radio stations tuned-in by passing drivers and display messages geared to the station's listeners are being installed in Northern California. The billboards will tap into a vast databank of information about people who typically listen to those stations. The electronic ads will then change to fit listener profiles. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

Smart Billboards Catching On

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Monday

Culture

Dickens' Classic Revived for Christmas

Victorians received the first installment of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations in December 1860. Now, Stanford University has serialized the story and is mailing out chapters to readers every two weeks. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

Dickens' Classic Revived for Christmas

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Wednesday

All Things Considered

Disney Creates A Star?

For weeks, the song I Can't Wait by Hillary Duff has been in the top three on Radio Disney stations across the country, but elsewhere the song hasn't even made it to the top 50. How can this be? Some critics say that's what happens when a company controls the recording artist, the record label and the radio network. Others say it's just good marketing. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

Disney Creates A Star?

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Wednesday

All Things Considered

Journalists and The Hague

Former Washington Post reporter Jonathan Randal won a landmark legal battle today. Randal had been subpoenaed by the War Crimes Tribunal to testify about an interview with a Bosnian Serb official accused of ethnic cleansing. The decision gives war correspondents some protection from being compelled to testify in the international court. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

Journalists and The Hague

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Friday

Morning Edition

BET's Move to Shed Two News Programs Makes Some Wary

Black Entertainment Television plans to cut two of its regular news programs by the end of December. Viewers and critics are concerned that the decision will further diminish BET's service to blacks. Network officials say BET is not getting out of the news business. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

BET's Move to Shed Two News Programs Makes Some Wary

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