The Weekly Spin, Wednesday, September 29, 2004

[Guest guest]

The Weekly Spin, Wednesday, September 29, 2004

 

weekly-spin-admin

 

THE WEEKLY SPIN, Wednesday, September 29, 2004

---

sponsored by the Center for Media and Democracy (www.prwatch.org)

---

The Weekly Spin features selected news summaries with links to

further information about current public relations campaigns.

It is emailed free each Wednesday to rs.

 

SHARE US WITH A FRIEND (OR FIFTY FRIENDS)

Who do you know who might want to receive Spin of the Week?

Help us grow our r list! Just forward this message to

people you know, encouraging them to sign up at this link:

 

http://www.prwatch.org/cmd/_sotd.html

 

---

THIS WEEK'S NEWS

 

1. Tobacco on Trial

2. Is There an Echo in Here?

3. Ballot Boxing in Iraq and Afghanistan

4. Pentagon: Anti-Flak Flacks Wanted

5. Taking the Bull By the Horns - and Stonewalling

6. US Panel Critical of Public Diplomacy Efforts

7. Telling the Media to MoveOn

8. Angry Seniors, Paid Doctors and the Lobbyists Who Love Them

9. What Are the Think Tanks Thinking?

10. Sugar Gets Sweet Spin

11. EPA Gags Staff

12. EPA: What's a Little Toxic Emission Among Friends?

13. Business Roundtable Pushes Kyoto Roundabout

14. Tobacco Industry Smoke and Mirrors On Trial

----

 

1. TOBACCO ON TRIAL

http://www.tobacco-on-trial.com

The news media have devoted scant coverage to the $280 billion

federal lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice against

tobacco companies, but anti-tobacco activists are filling the gap

with a weblog that offers blow-by-blow analysis of the trial and

courtroom testimony.

More web links related to this story are available at:

http://www.prwatch.org/spin/September_2004.html#1096350133

To discuss this story in the PR Watch Forum, visit:

http://www.prwatch.org/forum/discuss.php?id=1096350133

 

2. IS THERE AN ECHO IN HERE?

http://thehill.com/news/09282004/debate.aspx

" The Kerry campaign has enlisted congressional Democrats to play

down expectations of the challenger's performance in the first

presidential debate this Thursday, and then flood the airwaves with

jubilant analysis that he has won it. " Kerry campaign officials

asked press secretaries of Democratic members of Congress " to

schedule their bosses on television and radio so that Democrats

could create an 'echo chamber' where the sounding of pro-Kerry spin

would create its own reality. " Aides were told that " the perception

of a Kerry victory would be easier to achieve if post-debate

analysis " focused on substance, not questions of style like " Bush's

syntax or Kerry's demeanor. "

SOURCE: The Hill, September 28, 2004

More web links related to this story are available at:

http://www.prwatch.org/spin/September_2004.html#1096344000

To discuss this story in the PR Watch Forum, visit:

http://www.prwatch.org/forum/discuss.php?id=1096344000

 

3. BALLOT BOXING IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101041004-702122,00.html

U.S. lawmakers blocked a proposed " covert CIA operation to aid

[iraqi] candidates favored by Washington " - suggested because their

opponents might have " covert backing from other countries, like

Iran. " Leading up to Afghanistan's October 9 elections, U.S.

Ambassador Zalmay Zhalilzad stands accused of " pushing behind the

scenes to ensure a convincing victory by the pro-American

incumbent, President Hamid Zarzai. " Author Rahul Mahajan recaps the

" well-documented history of 'managed' elections " in Afghanistan and

Iraq. " Apparently, the Bush administration is happy with elections

in places it controls ... as long as there are no choices (when

there are, as in Florida, strange things can happen). "

SOURCE: Time, September 27, 2004

More web links related to this story are available at:

http://www.prwatch.org/spin/September_2004.html#1096257602

To discuss this story in the PR Watch Forum, visit:

http://www.prwatch.org/forum/discuss.php?id=1096257602

 

4. PENTAGON: ANTI-FLAK FLACKS WANTED

http://prweek.com/news/news_story.cfm?ID=222984 & site=3

In addition to a " comprehensive PR and advertising push in Iraq, "

the Pentagon is " requesting media support for its public diplomacy

efforts in the Middle East. " The recipient of the new U.S. contract

" will provide weekly reports on what is happening in the Arab media

and what is said at Friday sermons delivered in Mosques throughout

Iraq, " and " will be expected to 'research current adversaries,'

consult on outreach strategy, and provide a two-person liaison team

to foster communication between the State Department and the

Pentagon. " Bids for the one-year contract were due September 13.

SOURCE: PR Week (reg. req'd.), September 27, 2004

More web links related to this story are available at:

http://www.prwatch.org/spin/September_2004.html#1096257601

To discuss this story in the PR Watch Forum, visit:

http://www.prwatch.org/forum/discuss.php?id=1096257601

 

5. TAKING THE BULL BY THE HORNS - AND STONEWALLING

http://nytimes.com/2004/09/27/business/27regs.html?hp

" After a case of mad cow disease surfaced in Washington State late

last year, federal regulators vowed to move swiftly to adopt rules

to reduce the risks of further problems. ... But a few weeks ago,

the Food and Drug Administration, after heavy lobbying from the

beef and feed industries, took steps to delay - and ... possibly

kill " new animal feed regulations. Shortly after the FDA

announcement, " the National Cattlemen's Beef Association broke its

nonpartisan tradition and endorsed President Bush. " Regulatory

delays are common before elections, but some say " the tightness in

the polls and the strong industry ties to the White House " have

worsened the trend this year.

SOURCE: New York Times, September 27, 2004

More web links related to this story are available at:

http://www.prwatch.org/spin/September_2004.html#1096257600

To discuss this story in the PR Watch Forum, visit:

http://www.prwatch.org/forum/discuss.php?id=1096257600

 

6. US PANEL CRITICAL OF PUBLIC DIPLOMACY EFFORTS

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2004/09/25/us_panel_faults\

_outreach_to_muslims/

" US efforts to win over the world's Muslims via news broadcasts,

cultural exchanges, and other initiatives to explain American

policies to skeptical audiences abroad are uncoordinated and

underfunded, and risk sending contradictory messages about US

intentions, according to a report by a bipartisan review panel

appointed by President Bush, " the Boston Globe writes. The 2004

Report of the Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy writes that

" public diplomacy should be a national security priority, " calling

for increased funding and an " aggressive strategy " to counter the

effects of international public opinion on the " success of American

foreign policy objectives. "

SOURCE: September 25, 2004

More web links related to this story are available at:

http://www.prwatch.org/spin/September_2004.html#1096084800

To discuss this story in the PR Watch Forum, visit:

http://www.prwatch.org/forum/discuss.php?id=1096084800

 

7. TELLING THE MEDIA TO MOVEON

http://alternet.org/mediaculture/19980/

U.S. media " gives inordinate attention to fly-by-night groups with

little evidence of real support. Why? Because these groups'

sensational claims make for entertaining and easily produced news

stories. The result is that a Swift Boats Veterans for Truth has

greater impact on the national debate than long-established

activist organizations, " writes the Center for Media and

Democracy's Diane Farsetta. The " easy formula to influence a

national election - scrounge together enough money to air a

sensational ad a few times " relies on journalists' tendency to

" marginalize real grassroots efforts ... [and] focus on groups

whose sole purpose is to introduce contrived controversies into

political discourse. "

SOURCE: AlterNet, September 24, 2004

More web links related to this story are available at:

http://www.prwatch.org/spin/September_2004.html#1095998401

To discuss this story in the PR Watch Forum, visit:

http://www.prwatch.org/forum/discuss.php?id=1095998401

 

8. ANGRY SENIORS, PAID DOCTORS AND THE LOBBYISTS WHO LOVE THEM

http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109597844241026556,00.html?mod=health%5Fhs%5F\

health%5Fproviders%5Finsurance

" Seniors' anger and confusion as the Bush administration phases in

the ambitious Medicare overhaul " may help Democratic candidates in

November - unless an astroturf PR campaign succeeds. Noting that " a

healthcare professional's opinion goes a long way in making a story

seem more credible, " the Republican lobbying firm the DCI Group " is

offering healthcare consultants $3750 plus expenses over six weeks

to generate positive news stories about the drug card and offer

support to Congress for voting for the Medicare law. " The DCI

campaign is for RetireSafe, a project of the Council for Government

Reform.

SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, September 24, 2004

More web links related to this story are available at:

http://www.prwatch.org/spin/September_2004.html#1095998400

To discuss this story in the PR Watch Forum, visit:

http://www.prwatch.org/forum/discuss.php?id=1095998400

 

9. WHAT ARE THE THINK TANKS THINKING?

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=36804

Conservative think tanks, including the Institute for the Analysis

of Global Security, the Center for Security Policy, the Foundation

for the Defense of Democracies, the Heritage Foundation and the

Hudson Institute, are trying " to promote a shift away from oil, as

the best guarantor of global security, prosperity and freedom. "

" Set America Free, " the coalition's energy security plan, " calls

for the U.S. to immediately introduce next-generation fuels and

vehicles that use existing technologies, " " recommends popularizing

existing hybrid electric vehicles, " and " suggests increasing use of

fuel additives, electricity, alcohol fuels like ethanol and non-oil

based diesel, " according to Oil Daily.

SOURCE: U.S. Newswire, September 23, 2004

More web links related to this story are available at:

http://www.prwatch.org/spin/September_2004.html#1095912000

To discuss this story in the PR Watch Forum, visit:

http://www.prwatch.org/forum/discuss.php?id=1095912000

 

10. SUGAR GETS SWEET SPIN

http://www.prweek.com/news/news_story.cfm?ID=222977 & site=3

" The Oldways Preservation Trust, which earlier this year held a

conference in Italy to promote pasta, is organizing another

journalists' confab, this time to discuss the virtues of sugar, "

PR Week reports. " The trust ... has secured the Beverage Institute

for Health and Wellness, a Coca-Cola affiliated organization, as a

sponsor for its Conference on Sweetness and Health in Mexico City.

... Journalists are being offered free travel and accommodations,

if their organizations permit, to attend the meeting. The

conference will feature roughly 20 scientists plus chefs talking

about the place of sweetness and sugar in proper diets. ... The

conference aims to diffuse concerns that sugary foods are a culprit

in America's obesity epidemic. "

SOURCE: PR Week (sub. req'd.), September 22, 2004

More web links related to this story are available at:

http://www.prwatch.org/spin/September_2004.html#1095825605

To discuss this story in the PR Watch Forum, visit:

http://www.prwatch.org/forum/discuss.php?id=1095825605

 

11. EPA GAGS STAFF

http://www.peer.org/press/508.html

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has directed staff to

" refrain from answering " media calls in order to " prevent EPA

management from being surprised by news coverage, " according to an

agency memo obtained by Public Employees for Environmental

Responsibility. The Mid-western region acting administrator Bharat

Mathur told staff that in the interest of " open communication " and

" shaping consistent messages " they were not to work with or talk to

the press. " If you receive any request for information or an

interview from a member of the media, you should refer the caller

to [EPA's Office of Public Affairs], " Mathur wrote. " Please refrain

from answering such inquires directly. OPA will determine the

appropriate response - and who should respond - after consultation

with program staff, and if necessary, after elevating issues for

senior-level attention. " Inside EPA reports similar instructions

being given to staff in the Mountain and Plains region. " EPA is

instructing its employees not to discuss political issues with

reporters, citing fears that such interactions could

inappropriately characterize Bush administration policies just

weeks before the November elections, " Inside EPA reports.

SOURCE: Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, September

22, 2004

More web links related to this story are available at:

http://www.prwatch.org/spin/September_2004.html#1095825604

To discuss this story in the PR Watch Forum, visit:

http://www.prwatch.org/forum/discuss.php?id=1095825604

 

12. EPA: WHAT'S A LITTLE TOXIC EMISSION AMONG FRIENDS?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39749-2004Sep21.html

" For the third time, environmental advocates have discovered

passages in the Bush administration's proposal for regulating

mercury pollution from power plants that mirror almost word for

word portions of memos written by a law firm representing

coal-fired power plants. " The passages, in language from the Latham

& Watkins firm, say the EPA will not regulate other toxins emitted

by power plants (including lead, chromium and arsenic). According

to Public Citizen and the Environmental Integrity Project, three

former Latham & Watkins employees now work at the EPA, including

the person " in charge of all air pollution policy " and " a leading

architect of new air pollution regulations. "

SOURCE: Washington Post, September 22, 2004

More web links related to this story are available at:

http://www.prwatch.org/spin/September_2004.html#1095825603

To discuss this story in the PR Watch Forum, visit:

http://www.prwatch.org/forum/discuss.php?id=1095825603

 

13. BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE PUSHES KYOTO ROUNDABOUT

http://www.odwyerpr.com/members/0922globalwarming.htm

The PR firm Porter Novelli is helping the Business Roundtable, an

organization of U.S. corporate CEOs, promote its " Climate RESOLVE "

program, O'Dwyer's PR Daily reports. Climate RESOLVE was created to

encourage companies to voluntarily reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)

emissions, responding to George W. Bush's call for a voluntary 18

percent reduction of emissions by 2012 and attempting to undermine

an international treaty on GHG. The Climate RESOLVE campaign kicks

off on Sept. 23 with ads in the Washington Post and Roll Call to be

followed by " one-pagers " for " Congressional aides, environmental

officials and reporters to keep them abreast of efforts to control

greenhouse gas. " Climate RESOLVE is also hosting a two-day " GHG

Management Workshop, " featuring a talk by White House Council on

Environmental Quality chair James Connaughton. The Business

Roundtable says 70 percent of its members have signed up for

Climate RESOLVE. " They are eager to avoid the mandated cuts that

are going into effect in much of the world under the Kyoto

Protocol, the pending international treaty of global warming, "

O'Dwyer's writes.

SOURCE: O'Dwyer's PR Daily, September 22, 2004

More web links related to this story are available at:

http://www.prwatch.org/spin/September_2004.html#1095825602

To discuss this story in the PR Watch Forum, visit:

http://www.prwatch.org/forum/discuss.php?id=1095825602

 

14. TOBACCO INDUSTRY SMOKE AND MIRRORS ON TRIAL

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A38583-2004Sep21?language=printer

" The most important type of story is that which casts doubt on the

cause and effect theory of smoking and cancer, " read one internal

Council for Tobaccco Research memo presented by the U.S. Justice

Department on the first day of the largest civil racketeering trial

brought by the government. " Public relations is key, " the memo

continued, " to getting us out of this hole. " The tobacco industry

is accused of conspiring to " deceive the public about the proven

dangers of smoking to protect billions of dollars in profits the

industry earned from cigarette sales. " Defendants in the suit are

Philip Morris USA Inc. and its parent, Altria Group Inc., R.J.

Reynolds Tobacco Co., Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co., British

American Tobacco Ltd., Lorillard Tobacco Co. and Liggett Group Inc.

Two now-defunct tobacco industry organizations, the Council for

Tobacco Research and the Tobacco Institute, are also being sued.

The government claims the conspiracy began in the 1950s, when the

industry began meeting to devise a strategy to undermine reports

linking smoking and lung cancer. They ended up creating what

Justice Department attorney Frank Marine called " one of the most

elaborate public relations schemes in history. "

SOURCE: Washington Post, September 22, 2004

More web links related to this story are available at:

http://www.prwatch.org/spin/September_2004.html#1095825601

To discuss this story in the PR Watch Forum, visit:

http://www.prwatch.org/forum/discuss.php?id=1095825601

 

 

----

 

The Weekly Spin is compiled by staff and volunteers at the

Center for Media and Democracy. To or unsubcribe, visit:

http://www.prwatch.org/cmd/_sotd.html

 

Daily updates and news from past weeks can be found at the

Spin of the Day " section of the Center website:

http://www.prwatch.org/spin/index.html

 

Archives of our quarterly publication, PR Watch, are at:

http://www.prwatch.org/prwissues

 

PR Watch, Spin of the Day and the Weekly Spin are projects

of the Center for Media & Democracy, a nonprofit organization

that offers investigative reporting on the public relations

industry. We help the public recognize manipulative and

misleading PR practices by exposing the activities of

secretive, little-known propaganda-for-hire firms that

work to control political debates and public opinion.

Please send any questions or suggestions about our

publications to:

editor

 

Contributions to the Center for Media and Democracy

are tax-deductible. Send checks to:

CMD

520 University Ave. #227

Madison, WI 53703

 

To donate now online, visit:

https://www.egrants.org/donate/index.cfm?ID=2344-0|1118-0

_____________

Weekly-Spin mailing list

Weekly-Spin

http://two.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/weekly-spin