Post-Soviet Russia, too, insists its journalists follow the flag.
Date: 13 March 2000
By Felicity Barringer
Felicity Barringer
Media column on rise of Russian journalism in years just before collapse of Communism, and its paradoxical retreat these days; Russia has filed criminal charges against Andrei Babitsky, Radio Liberty reporter, for aiding enemy while covering war in Chechnya; Babitsky, who was captured by Russian soldiers as he left Grozny, and held incommunicado more than month, still seems a government target; demonization of Babitsky reflects journalism's fragility in Russia and underscores Moscow's willingness to control journalists and journalism; it contrasts with treatment of Artyom Borovik, whose reporting in 1987 prepared country for Russian army's withdrawal from Afghanistan; Borovik was seen as hero to Russian government; photo (M)
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Pushing the Limits of Science, and of Public Relations
Date: 14 March 2000
By Lawrence M. Krauss
Lawrence
Essay by Prof Lawrence M Krauss, head of physics department at Case Western Reserve University, argues that avoiding hype in science is more important than ever, because it is clear that many in the public cannot distinguish claims of scientists from those of pseudoscientists; says that most developments in science, including the most important ones, are usually incremental and that rarely does a single result 'revolutionize' a field, even though we read this over and over when discoveries are described; photo (L)
Full Article
Straight Talk Is Overrated
Date: 14 March 2000
By Mike McCurry
Mike McCurry
Op-Ed article by Mike McCurry on good reasons why presidential campaigns of Gov George W Bush and Vice Pres Al Gore may be correct in setting boundaries and controlling access by media (M)
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Madison Avenue considers the benefits and drawbacks of media megadeals.
Date: 14 March 2000
By Stuart Elliott
Stuart Elliott
Madison Avenue advertising industry weighs benefits and drawbacks of recent media megadeals, including Tribune Co's acquistion of Times Mirror Co (M)
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Tribune Company Agrees to Buy Times Mirror
Date: 14 March 2000
By Felicity Barringer and Laura M. Holson
Felicity Barringer
Tribune Company will acquire Times Mirror Company for $6.45 billion in cash and stock, ending 119 years of ownership of Los Angeles Times by Otis and Chandler families; combined company will retain Tribune Company name, will own 11 daily newspapers, 22 television stations and four radio stations, and will have combined circulation of 3.6 million copies; merger abruptly ends mercurial five-year stewardship of Times Mirror chairman, Mark H Willes; is greeted skeptically by investors; Tribune shares fall 17 percent in stock market trading to $30.8125, while Times Mirror shares soar $37.6875, to $85.625; photos (M)
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ICAHN IN NEW BID TO TAKE CONTROL OF NABISCO
Date: 14 March 2000
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Carl C Icahn says he is seeking election of nine directors to board of Nabisco Group Holdings Corp, initiating his fourth attempt in five years to gain control of company; Icahn also says in filing with Securities and Exchange Commission that he and his affiliates increased their stake in company to 8.9 percent, or 28.9 million shares, from 7.8 percent (S)
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KING PHARMACEUTICALS TOLD TO HALT VACCINE PRODUCTION
Date: 14 March 2000
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
King Pharmaceuticals Inc is ordered by Food and Drug Administration to halt production of its flu vaccine Fluogen because of manufacturing flaws, sending its shares down as much as 23 percent (S)
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ZIONS BANCORP IS WARNED ON PURCHASE OF FIRST SECURITY
Date: 14 March 2000
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Zions Bancorp's financial advisers say price it agreed to pay for First Security Corp, rival Utah bank, is unfair after First Security warned that first-quarter profit would fall; Zions postpones until March 31 meeting in which its shareholders will vote on offer (S)
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TXU AGREES TO ACQUIRE FORT BEND COMMUNICATION
Date: 14 March 2000
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
TXU Corp acquires Fort Bend Communication Companies for $167 million in stock and cash (S)
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AUTOLIV, MAKER OF AUTO SAFETY GEAR, TO BUY OEA
Date: 14 March 2000
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Autoliv Inc acquires OEA Inc for about $300 million in cash and debt (S)
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