
Media Blackmail in Australia?; NEJM; RIP: Martin Agronsky; Generations of Black Journalists

A leading radio talk show host in Australia admits taking money from the banking industry to praise banks on the air. He defends the practice and has not been fired. This is Brian Lehrer, join me for On the Media this week when we look at the latest hole in the firewall between news and profits, and ask: could it happen here? Also, remembering Martin Agronsky, TV talk show pioneer. All that and more this week on NPR's On the Media.
1 - CASH FOR COMMENT
Popular Australian radio host John Laws, a long time critic of the big Australian banks, changed his tune and was singing the banks praises, for a price. After allegedly being paid over $A1 million dollars by the Australian Bankers' Association Laws agreed to air favorable commentary on his nationally syndicated program. Laws has tried to stem criticism of his actions explaining to his listeners and the media community that he is not a journalist and sees himself as more as an entertainer.
Guest: Robert Bolton, Presenter, "The Media Report," Australia
2 - THE MARKETING OF MEDICAL JOURNALS
The editor of the New England Journal of Medicine agreed this week to step down from his position as editor of the journal after the organization that publishes the magazine announced that it will use the journal's name to promote other publications and products.
Guest: Dr. Robert Mayer, Associate Editor, "New England Journal of Medicine"
3 - LISA AND BRIAN
Lisa Napoli, who now covers the Internet for MSNBC, joins Brian for an on-air chat about the latest Internet developments.
4 - MEDIA DIET
OTM dissects the media diets of different people, in different professions and different parts of the country. Writer David Rakoff recounts his own media diet.
Reporter: David Rakoff
5 - MARTIN AGRONSKY'S LEGACY
Martin Agronsky, legendary journalist who covered wars, the McCarthy hearings and Washington Politics for years died this week. Agronsky's greatest lasting journalistic achievement just might be his introduction of the "talking head" format. His groundbreaking program "Agronsky and Company" was the first to use reporters as subjects.
Guest: Hugh Sidey, contributor, "Time Magazine," frequent panelist on Agronsky and Company
6. - COVERING RACE: A DIALOGUE
Earl Caldwell, a journalist known for his groundbreaking reporting throughout the civil rights era and Nathan McCall, author and former journalist at "The Washington Post," compare notes on what it means to be a black journalist in the newsroom.
Guests: Earl Caldwell, former reporter, "The New York Times," currently writing an online account of the Caldwell Journals for The Maynard Institute of Journalism
Nathan McCall, former reporter, "The Washington Post;" author, " Makes Me Wanna Holler" and "What's Going On"
WNYC archives id: 84923