After Circulation Scandal, a Move to Build Trust
Date: 17 August 2004
By Jacques Steinberg
Jacques Steinberg
Belo Corp sets aside $23 million to compensate advertisers for exaggerated circulation figures at Dallas Morning News, as it seeks to limit fallout from scandal of type that has enveloped number of media companies; Tribune Co, which inflated circulation figures at Newsday and Hoy, and Hollinger International, which has admitted inflating circulation figures at Chicago Sun-Times, are making moves to reassure advertisers; graph; photo (M)
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When Yes Doesn't Mean Yes
Date: 16 August 2004
By Robin D. Stone
Robin
Op-Ed article by Robin D Stone says few people think Mary Kay Letourneau, teacher who had sex with her 12-year-old male student, committed crime as serious as that of man having sex with young girl; says behind this distorted view is myth that boys cannot be raped by women; says biologically, body responds to stimulation even when mind says no; says boy may consent to sex with woman rather than confess to being powerless to stop an attack; says studies show that sexually abused boys grapple with feelings of isolation, inadequacy and vulnerability; says news media rarely point out prevalence of such feelings among men survivors (M)
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Carl Mydans, 97, Who Told His Stories With a Single Picture, Dies
Date: 17 August 2004
By Andy Grundberg
Andy Grundberg
Carl Mydans was a photographer for Life whose most memorable pictures were taken under combat conditions during World War II.
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IRAQI CONFERENCE ON ELECTION PLAN SINKS INTO CHAOS
Date: 16 August 2004
By John F. Burns
John Burns
Delegates who gathered in Baghdad under siege-like conditions to elect commission to organize elections instead stage angry protests against American-led military operation in Shiite holy city of Najaf; demand that conference be suspended, with one delegate storming stage before being forced back; shortly afterward, two mortar shells fire at area where meeting is held, landing instead in bus and truck terminal nearby, killing 2 and wounding at least 17; rebel attacks have spread to virtually every Sunni and Shiite town across country, threatening to overwhelm plans for three rounds of national elections next year, ending with fully elected government in Jan 2006; fighting in Najaf is part of wider insurrection across southern Iraq by militiamen loyal to Moktada al-Sadr, who has cast himself as tribune of Shiite underclass and as leader of national resistance movement; in latest sign that new push against Sadr might be imminent, government of Prime Min Ayad Allawi orders expulsion from Najaf of all reporters, Iraqis as well as Westerners; photos (M)
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Wal-Mart Tries to Shine Its Image By Supporting Public Broadcasting
Date: 16 August 2004
By Constance L. Hays
Constance Hays
Wal-Mart seeks to improve its image by becoming sponsor of National Public Radio, underwriting Tavis Smiley, popular talk show on KCET, public television station in Los Angeles, and offering scholarships to minority students at journalism programs around country; image has suffered from criticism of company's labor practices, expansion plans and selective approach to publications and music it sells in its stores; spokeswoman says company is especially sensitive to need for balanced news coverage; says there is no hidden agenda in its journalistic sponsorships; photos (M)
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SLAIN JOURNALIST'S FAMILY MAKES REQUEST
Date: 17 August 2004
By Mark Glassman (NYT)
Mark NYT
Family of Daniel Pearl, Wall Street Journal reporter beheaded in Pakistan two years ago, requests that his name not be used in political context after Vice Pres Cheney invokes it in response to Sen John Kerry's pledge to fight 'more sensitive war on terror' (S)
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Saving the Vote
Date: 17 August 2004
By Paul Krugman
Paul Krugman
Paul Krugman Op-Ed column says there is substantial chance that result of 2004 presidential election will be suspect; says if Florida's paperless voting machines give Pres Bush upset, uncheckable victory, there will be skepticism; says there is still time for officials to provide enhanced security, assuring public that nobody can tamper with voting machines by hiring independent security consultants to perform random tests; says voters should use paper ballots where they are available, even if this means voting absentee; supports voting activists who are pushing for independent exit polling, parallel to but independent of polling by media groups; says it is horrifying to think that credibility of our democracy is now in danger (M)
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CALPINE TO SELL CANADIAN ASSETS TO PRIMEWEST ENERGY
Date: 17 August 2004
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Calpine Corp sells its Canadian natural-gas reserves and petroleum assets to PrimeWest Energy Trust for 825 million Canadian dollars ($631 million) (S)
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NORTEL SAYS IT FACES CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION IN CANADA
Date: 17 August 2004
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Nortel Networks Corp says Royal Canadian Mounted Police has begun criminal probe of its accounting (S)
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KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN TO BUY STAKE IN TEXAS RAILROAD
Date: 17 August 2004
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Kansas City Southern acquires 51 percent of Mexrail from Grupo TMM for $32.7 million as part of plan to gain control of Mexico's biggest rail network; must buy rest of Mexrail for $31.4 million by Oct 31, 2005 (S)
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