Inside CNN, A Struggle To Be Less 'Tabloid'
Date: 24 February 2003
By Jim Rutenberg
Jim Rutenberg
Jim Walton, new president of CNN, seeks to strip it of certain tabloid touches it acquired under outgoing leadership team of Walter Isaacson and Jamie Kellner; these include hyperkinetic graphics and music, more entertainment and culture features and more visible anchors from broadcast networks, perhaps even Connie Chung, although there are no plans at present to cancel her show; Walton and other executives are coming to accept, if reluctantly, that CNN cannot unseat Fox New Channel from No. 1 position on cable and should seek to attract educated, more affluent viewers that are sought out by premium advertisers; Walton also fears tabloid features could sully CNN's brand as straightforward global news provider; photos (M)
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For the History of Science, the First Draft Is Often Late
Date: 25 February 2003
By Dennis Overbye
Dennis Overbye
Historically slow pace of breaking news in science is exemplified by New York Times article on Watson-Crick DNA discovery dated May 16, 1953, but not found in Times database; ironically, article was likely pulled to make room for what was considered more important news and only published in early edition; today's scientific reports have benefit of scientific journals and public relations to point journalists in direction of important findings and discoveries; photo (M)
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Times and Boston Globe Win Polk Awards for Reporting
Date: 24 February 2003
By Robert D. McFadden
Robert
Long Island University announces winners of George Polk Awards for excellence in journalism in 2002; New York Times is cited in two categories; Clifford J Levy wins regional reporting award and Walt Bogdanich, Barry Meier and Mary Williams Walsh win for health care reporting; other winners noted (M)
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2 Rival Houses Said to Consider Bids to Acquire AOL Book Unit
Date: 25 February 2003
By David D. Kirkpatrick
David
AOL Time Warner, seeking to sell its book publishing division, has elicited interest from Random House, unit of Bertelsmann, and HarperCollins, part of News Corp; all discussions have been preliminary and no terms have been discussed (M)
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Sandhogs, Blind Mules and the Birth of a Subway
Date: 25 February 2003
By Randy Kennedy
Randy Kennedy
Randy Kennedy Tunnel Vision column focuses on news accounts of building of New York City subways century ago; photos (M)
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Regional Squabbling Scuttles an Iraqi Opposition Meeting
Date: 25 February 2003
By Judith Miller and David Rohde
Judith Miller
Effort to showcase cooperation between Turkey and Kurdish parties in northern Iraq ends when lone Turkish soldier blocks road taking 150 foreign journalists to northern Iraq and orders their buses to return to Silopi, nearby border town; reasons are unclear and recriminations among reputed allies against Saddam Hussein are bitter (M)
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PAY FOR ADELPHIA EXECUTIVES IS DEBATED IN COURT
Date: 25 February 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Adelphia Communications asks Federal Bankruptcy Judge Robert Gerber to approve pay package for two newly hired executives William Schleyer and Ronald Cooper, while investor committee led by former board member Leonard Tow asks Gerber to reject or alter contracts; $41 million in compensation includes salary, bonuses, stock and options (S)
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CHIEF RESIGNS AT CENDANT DIVISION THAT INCLUDES AVIS
Date: 25 February 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Cendant Corp says John Chidsey has resigned as chairman and chief executive of company's vehicle and financial services division; chief financial officer Kevin Sheehan will assume responsibility for vehicle unit; Samuel Katz, chairman and chief executive of travel services, will take over financial services (S)
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AMERICAN TOWER PROJECTS A LOSS IN THE FIRST QUARTER
Date: 25 February 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
American Tower Corp, which rents its wireless communications towers to cellular service providers, forecasts first-quarter loss of 30 cents to 33 cents per share, excluding results from discontinued operations (S)
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STEWART, A CEMETERY OPERATOR, CUTS 2003 FORECAST
Date: 25 February 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Stewart Enterprises Inc, leading operator of cemeteries and funeral homes, cuts its 2003 forecast after fiscal first-quarter net income fell (S)
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