on the media
This week on NPR's
On the MediaTM

The next time you see an anti-drug plot line on a prime time television show, ask yourself this: did the federal government buy its way into the script? This week, we'll look at a Salon.com investigation that says the networks are hooked on propaganda cash. Also, social responsibility and the AOL Time Warner merger. Could it really be good for the world?

1 - "JUST SAY NO" TV

Did Dylan, the heart throb from Fox's "90210" really kick his drug habit, or was that an edit made by the Drug Czar's office? An article released by Salon.com this Thursday revealed that the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy worked it's anti drug message into several network shows.

Guest: Daniel Forbes, Reporter, Salon.com

2 - NEWS AS A SPECTATOR SPORT

A week into 2000 commentator Mitchell Stevens has a few millennial thoughts about the News.

Guest: Mitchell Stevens, Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication, New York University; author, "Rise of the Image, Fall of the Word"

3 - SCOTT AND BRIAN

Brian talks with "Today's Papers" Columnist Scott Shuger about the latest coverage of this weeks mega merger and CBS using digital technology to insert ads into live shots.

Guest: Scott Shuger, Columnist, Slate.com

4 - THE MERGER OF THE CENTURY

The news of the merger between AOL and Time Warner broke fast and furious as experts and journalists scrambled to make sense of what is being hailed as the merger of the century. On the Media looks at the implications of this on new and old media and what it means for the future of the world wide web.

Guests: Robert McChesney; Professor, The University of Wisconsin's School of Journalism
Michael Wolff; Media Critic, "New York Magazine"
Andrew Shapiro; Author, "The Control Culture"; Senior Advisor, The Markle Foundation
Lisa Napoli; Internet Correspondent, MSNBC
Jim Ledbetter; Reporter, "The Industry Standard"

5 - SO MANY PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES?

Did you happen to catch the debate the other night? If not, don't worry, there will most likely be another one on in a few days. Timothy Noah, columnist for Slate.com discusses the increase of debates in and the decrease of viewership.

Guest: Timothy Noah, Chatterbox Columnist, Slate.com

6 - THE BIGGEST MAGAZINE EVER

Forget the AOL/Time Warner merger, commentator Stanley Mieses says there's something even bigger...Brides Magazine.

Commentator: Stanley Mieses

7 - THE SIMPSONS TURN TEN

As the Simpsons celebrate their 10th anniversary, television critic James Poniewozik, who has dubbed the program the greatest television show of the century looks at the impact this revolutionary program has had.

Guest: James Poniewozik, Television Critic, "Time Magazine"

We'd like to hear your thoughts on these stories, and your comments and ideas for other stories. Write to us at onthemedia@wnyc.org.

WNYC archives id: 45247