In Arab World, Press Coverage Of Beheading Varies Widely
Date: 13 May 2004
By Abeer Allam
Abeer Allam
Videotaped beheading of Nicholas Berg by Islamic militants receives widely divergent treatment in Arab press, with most papers playing it up but some ignoring it; in Egypt, news is buried inside one leading newspaper and ignored by another; Syrian papers also ignore killing; Kuwait paper runs front-page story with photograph of militant holding up Berg's head; journalism experts in Middle East say concerns about protecting Americans from copycat killings is main reason for scant coverage; Web sites of militant groups run photos from video of beheading side by side with photos of abuse of Iraqi prisoners in Abu Ghraib (M)
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Deal Complete, NBC Is Planning To Cross-Market
Date: 13 May 2004
By Bill Carter
Bill Carter
NBC formally announces completion of its acquisition of Vivendi Universal's entertainment operations, promising new entity that will aggressively cross-market its television, movie and theme park properties to drive profits while avoiding pitfalls of previous media mergers; NBC chief Bob Wright will be chairman of new NBC Universal; some industry executives say NBC's history in network television business, with its short-term thinking, might hamper NBC Universal's ambitions; pledge to step up NBC's already intensive cross-marketing immediately draws criticism from consumer groups that have challenged growth of big media companies; Center for Digital Democracy's executive director Jeff Chester says Universal was last real independent outlet for writers; adds writers will work for NBC and will have to do what network tells them to do; Wright also announces NBC has signed long-term deals with anchor Tom Brokaw and Dick Wolf, producer behind successful Law & Order series; Brokaw will continue to produce and be anchor of documentaries for various NBC channels for 10 more years after his retirement from NBC's Nightly News on Dec 1; Wolf agrees to remain housed with NBC Universal at least until 2008; photo (M)
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New Technology Loosens Controls Over Images of War
Date: 14 May 2004
By Amy Harmon
Amy Harmon
Military, government and mainstream media are losing countrol of images of war; digital technology is forcing major shift in expectation of what can be kept private, and it may ultimately hold everyone more accountable for their actions (M)
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Reporter's Expulsion Brings Mounting Criticism in Brazil
Date: 13 May 2004
By Warren Hoge
Warren Hoge
Brazilian opposition leaders, press associations and legal and judicial groups protest government's decision to expel New York Times correspondent Larry Rohter for article on Pres Luiz Inicio Lula da Silva's reported drinking habit; da Silva calls article 'malicious assault' on presidency and says he will not consider revoking action; Brazilian newspapers report that Brazilian diplomats are working to change da Silva's mind; New York Times says it believes Rohter's reporting was accurate and that it will oppose move to expel him (M)
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U.S. to Present Revised Program for Democracy in Mideast; Skepticism Is Widespread
Date: 13 May 2004
By Steven R. Weisman
Steven Weisman
Bush administration is pressing ahead with new appeal for democracy and political reform in Middle East; European officials familiar with contents of Greater Middle East Initiative say they expect even toned down document would have to be revised extensively to make it seem less high-handed and arrogant, in light of widespread outrage over American soldiers' abuse of Iraqi prisoners; document that was leaked last year encompassed exhortations and pronouncements that offended many Arab leaders; new document calls for increased engagement by West to promote democracy, women's rights, education, political reforms, free markets and investments, independent judiciary and media, and greater efforts to crack down on corruption; unlike American document, Arab League proposal calls for resolution of Israeli-Palestinian conflict as essential to all other reforms (M)
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GOODYEAR EXPECTS AN IMPROVED FIRST QUARTER
Date: 13 May 2004
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Goodyear Tire and Rubber says first-quarter results at all its businesses probably improved from year-earlier period and that it will release restated financial results for last five years on May 19 (S)
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JUDGMENT AGAINST JOHNSON & JOHNSON VOIDED
Date: 14 May 2004
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Johnson & Johnson persuades Mississippi Supreme Court to throw out $100 million jury award to users of Propulsid heartburn medicine in first case involving drug to go to trial (S)
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DILLER OF INTERACTIVECORP SELLS VIVENDI UNIVERSAL STAKE
Date: 14 May 2004
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Barry Diller sell his personal stake in Vivendi Universal Entertainment for $275 million after Vivendi Universal exercises call right; Diller's InterActiveCorp will keep its 5.4 percent in entertainment unit, which is being folded into NBC Universal (S)
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MOODY'S SAYS IT MAY LOWER DELTA'S DEBT RATINGS
Date: 13 May 2004
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Moody's Investors Service might lower debt ratings of Delta Air Lines, which says it may be forced into bankruptcy protection unless it is able to cut costs (S)
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RAYTHEON TO CUT EARNINGS BY $335 MILLION TO SETTLE SUIT
Date: 14 May 2004
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Raytheon Co will reduce earnings by $335 million in second quarter to settle class-action lawsuit from 1999 that accused company of misleading investors (S)
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