The Decency of Television Broadcasting

by: Amy Johnson

Everyone remembers the Janet Jackson “wardrobe malfunction” at the Super Bowl a few years back. CBS was heavily fined for airing the incident. This led to a major debate as to the decency, or lack thereof, in television broadcasting.

Another recent incident makes Walt Disney, co-owner of ABC, rethink the idea of live shows. During the 2009 American Music Awards, singer Adam Lambert gave a controversial performance that leaves ABC in the same place as CBS. His performance included giving the middle finger to the audience, kissed a man, and simulated oral sex.

Disney/ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney told said that in response to Lambert's risque performance, Disney was reviewing the steps it takes when dealing with live performances by getting assurances from artists that their actual aired show will not include anything too different than their rehearsals and will use contractual obligations to hold them to their word.

ABC went as far to cancel Lambert's scheduled performance during “Good Morning America,” saying that many children watch the show and that they did not want to risk another mishap. The people in public relations for these singers have to be rethinking their jobs.

How can television stations be held responsible for the decisions singers make? It is not that television broadcasting is indecent, it is the lack of morals that artists decide to show. If the contracts that Disney is making its artists sign does not work, perhaps television will have to go to say goodbye to live performances and will have to go to a performance with a short delay.

(Photo Credit: flickr.com - kindofadraag)

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Newspapers Up the Cost on Day of Thanks

By Taylor Finch

Everyone is familiar with black Friday, but the newspaper industry created what is now known as "Black Thursday" this past Thanksgiving Day.

What many of the nation's newspaper publishers were thankful for on Thanksgiving was the "bountiful harvest of holiday advertising," for which they all hoped to make more than a few extra bucks off of by increasing the price of the overall newspaper.

The Californian was one of many newspapers that went with the price increase trend on Thanksgiving, raising its price from the usual 75 cents to $1.50. But, as the paper's vice president of content, Olivia Garcia, said: "We feel that the bargain you'll get from the specials inside is definitely worth the extra charge. Happy Thanksgiving."

Many readers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Kansas City Star more than likely also felt some shock when learning that their newspapers were priced at $2 on Thanksgiving, and even more so in Dallas where newspapers were peaking at $3.

Some may have felt that newspapers were being over zealous in their efforts to make extra money on their advertising, especially on Thanksgiving, but over charging for advertising is more than likely not the answer to the recent downfall of the newspaper industry.

(Photo Credit: farm3.static.flickr.com)

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Yahoo vs. Google Round One Ding Ding...

By: Meghan Vosberg

What? Google has fallen into second place to Yahoo? Is there a new factor in what people look for in a search engine in today's society?

Actually Yahoo has taken a step up due to it's international affairs. Yahoo Japan dominates the websearch market with 56.5 percent of use compared to Google's 33.7 percent.

Since Google can't take this lying down, it wasted no time in updating its splashpage for Japan giving it links to gmail, youtube, and other services found on the internet in attempt to win back their patrons.

Google has also stepped into trying for the first time adding publicity stunts to attempt to win over customers. One stunt in particular allowed passersby to sail and float around Mountainview, Calif. with the help of 2,500 balloons.

Photo Credit: National Chiao Tung University College of Management

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