media

The media and politicians do have much to answer for. Their self-serving world of half truths, beat-ups, misrepresentation, slogans and fudge is a poor substitute for reality.

But much of the blame lies elsewhere. The real problem is not the media, not the politicians; it is you - you the voter. The level of knowledge that lies behind the average vote is distressingly slight..

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This is from an article written in Australia, but it could just as easily be written in the USA and NC. read the article here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-05-10/dumbing-down-politics-the-problem-...

Martinez to join McCrory's press office

By Laura Leslie of WRAL.com

Posted: 10:09 p.m. today

McCrory spokeswoman Kim Genardo confirms Rick Martinez will join the governor's press office.

Martinez is Curtis Media Group's longtime news director for WPTF and NC News Network. He's also a conservative columnist for the News and Observer.

Martinez is McCrory's second local media hire. Genardo was the first, moving quickly from reporting on the governor at NBC 17 to a job as his spokesperson.

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(no comment)

"Save Early Voting" Press Conference
Monday, April 1st - 10:30 am
North Carolina General Assembly
Jones Street, Raleigh, NC

UPDATE from WNCN news in Raleigh today:
Progress North Carolina led a news conference Monday at the Legislative Building to oppose bills last week to reduce 2½ weeks of in-person early voting by one week. One of the bills would bar Sunday voting.
Read more and view video here:
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/51398303/ns/local_news-raleigh_nc/#.UVoSw1eyJ5E

"Come stand with your fellow citizens, teachers, former election officials and others as they call attention to the devastating consequences of bills pending in the NCGA to cut early voting in half and make other changes to our elections rules that make it extraordinarily difficult for people to vote."

Dix Campus Action Plan: Why was it killed?

The Raleigh News and Observer and WRAL TV and WRAL.com have repeatedly quoted those who claim the Dix Property lease that was signed in December was the direct culmination of eight or more years work. But WRAL reported on another proposal that would have involved NC State University in a joint venture for future use of the Dix Campus. The N&O then also wrote in December 2012 about the Dix Campus Action Plan. WRAL’s Laura Leslie obtained the Plan from the Governor’s office according to emails I have just obtained from NCSU--after requesting them 12/12/2012.

From the Raleigh N&O online:

NBC-17 reporter hired as Gov. McCrory's communications director

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/02/22/2698944/wncn-tv-political-reporte...

From Common Cause NC: Join Michael Copps on Feb. 21 for lunch and a discussion on "Big money, dark money."

Copps, former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, will discuss how the rapid consolidation of media corporations and the demise of voter-funded elections pose a great threat to our democracy. Increasingly, control of our telecommunications infrastructure and our political campaigns rest in the hands of a tiny, and sometimes overlapping, group of super-wealthy individuals and corporations.

When: Thursday Feb. 21, noon
Where: Center for Community Leadership training room, Junior League of Raleigh, 711 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC
Cost: $10 - includes box lunch
RSVP: http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/event-registration/?ee=30#registration_form

from a blogger knowledgeable about developmental disabilities including autism:

Dear Media,

The tragedy in Connecticut is utterly unfathomable and one where all the answers may never come. We understand the drive to “get to the bottom of it”, but in doing so, many of you are creating another class of victims. People who are already stigmatized. People who fight on a regular basis to be accepted and understood for who they are, but will live most of their lives being misunderstood much of the time. These people eat, sleep – and even have dreams and ambition – just like you and me. And they hurt when others speak wrongly of them – just like you and me...

Here is a great collection of different takes on the debate held last night at CNN online.

My favorite commentator is Donna Brazille. Here's what she had to say:

Moderator Candy Crowley, like Martha Raddatz in the vice presidential debate, had a difficult job: Moderating these debates is like dealing with two guys arguing over the last beer when the Super Bowl's tied with a minute to go. But, as much as possible, she kept both men in their time limits and kept them within the framework of the question. She showed that moderators need to be journalists first, referees second.

Steve Schewel announces sale of Independent Weekly
Posted by Lisa Sorg on Wed, Aug 22, 2012 at 12:36 PM

The official press release is here:

******************
For Immediate Release
Aug. 22, 2012

Contact: Steve Schewel
919-451-9215

Steve Schewel, president of Carolina Independent Publications (CIP), announced today that the company is selling the Independent Weekly and its associated website, indyweek.com, to Richard Meeker and Mark Zusman.

"Meeker and Zusman are the owners of City of Roses Newspaper Company which publishes Willamette Week, the alternative newsweekly in Portland, Oregon. They also own the Santa Fe Reporter, an alternative newsweekly in New Mexico..."