R.I.P., The American Magazine
By Jon Friedman, MarketWatchI was alarmed by what I saw and heard at the recent American Magazine Conference in Boca Raton, Fla. Simply put, this industry seems intent on choking itself to death. These days, I half-expect to open the New York Times* and see a story by Richard Perez-Pena saying, "The magazine publishing industry has died after a lengthy illness. A prolonged advertising shortfall triggered a massive crisis of confidence. The modern magazine industry in the U.S. began with the creation of Time in 1923, and it remains on display at the Newseum in Washington, D.C." (*Unless the New York Post's magazine-beat ace Keith J. Kelly gets the scoop first, as is his habit.)
China's Press Freedom Comes Under Scrutiny in Countdown to 2008 Olympic Games"Falling Short," a comprehensive analysis of press freedom in China, was recently released by the Committee to Protect Journalists as the countdown begins for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. The report highlights the gap between what the Chinese government promised six years ago and what it has actually delivered in terms of media control and freedom for all accredited journalists.
Religion Newswriters Creates Religion Reporting Primer, Releases Religion Stylebook In PrintReligion Newswriters introduces a new tool for journalists who cover faith and values news, "Reporting on Religion: A Primer On Journalism's Best Beat." The primer dedicates nearly 100 pages to all facets of covering religion news - from reporting basics, to best practices, to resources, to overviews of faiths. Also, RNA's newest online resource is now available for free in print. "Reporting on Religion 2: A Stylebook on Journalism's Best Beat" contains all the entries from the online version but in a convenient booklet size.
Media Predictions for 2008By Jon Fine, BusinessWeekDisclosure: I probably shouldn't be doing this. If you went by my predictions, John Kerry is President, the Republicans still control the Senate, Katie Couric's ratings trounce the competition, and Nirvana is another also-ran band from the early '90s. But look at this past year in media. Among many other things, Rupert Murdoch's buying Dow Jones (DJ), Don Imus got fired (and then rehired), and an eccentric real estate billionaire named Sam Zell has a deal in place to buy Tribune Co. (TRB) while only putting up around 4% of the purchase price. Who foresaw any of that?
Back on the Air, Imus 'Faces Some Choices'
By Adam Goldman, Associated PressWill Don Imus be defiant or contrite? Will he mock his skeptics while making his triumphant return to radio Monday? Or will he muzzle his mouth? "That question is part of the drama of his reemergence," said Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers magazine, an industry trade journal. "Imus faces some choices."
By Mallary Jean Tenore 
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