Close Finish by Edwards Jolts News Networks' Coverage
Date: 18 February 2004
By Jim Rutenberg
Jim Rutenberg
Sen John Edwards's unexpectedly strong second-place showing in Wisconsin presidential primary throws political pundits off balance again, underscoring how unpredictable Democratic race has become (S)
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MSNBC Is Said to Have a New Chief
Date: 17 February 2004
By Jacques Steinberg
Jacques Steinberg
NBC decides to replace Erik Sorenson, who has been president and general manager of its MSNBC cable channel since 2001, with Richard N Kaplan, senior vice president of ABC News and former CNN's United States operations (M)
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On Russian TV, Whatever Putin Wants, He Gets
Date: 17 February 2004
By Steven Lee Myers
Steven Myers
Russian state television remains subject, more than dozen years after end of Soviet era, to only rating system that counts, that of Kremlin and Pres Vladimir Putin, who is featured with abundant, invariably flattering, portrayals; there is no overt censorship but on two largest channels, both government owned, there is uncritical deference to Putin that would be unthinkable in Europe or US; photos; media official Vladimir V Grigorev says state role reflects chaotic political transition and that government plans to privatize one channel, probably Rossiya, which, along with First Channel, effectively serves as information agency for Kremlin, at whose pleasure directors serve; Putin's campaign rivals struggle for air time and raise alarms about biased election reporting (M)
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World Briefing | Europe: Russia: Putin Watches As Missile Test Fails
Date: 18 February 2004
By Steven Lee Myers (NYT)
Steven Myers
Itar-Tass, Russian news agency, reports that two ballistic missiles that were part of one of Russia's largest military exercises misfired because of satellite communications problems; Admiral Vladimir I Kuroyedov denies misfire took place; President Vladimir V Putin observed exercises; photo (S)
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Journalists Who Braved Iraq and African Wars Are Among 14 Polk Award Winners
Date: 17 February 2004
By Robert D. McFadden
Robert
George Polk Awards for 2003 are awarded in 14 categories, honoring jounalists who faced personal danger to cover wars in Iraq and Africa and others who exposed perilous working conditions, predatory lending practices and sexual exploitation of homeless children; Somini Sengupta of New York Times wins for foreign correspondence for articles on war-torn West Africa; David Barstow, Lowell Bergman and David Rummel of The Times and Neil Docherty and Linden MacIntyre of Canadian Broadcasting Corp win for labor reporting for joint print-television co-production exposing safety violations at foundaries of McWane Inc (M)
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Citing Survey, CNN Says 4,450 Priests Were Accused of Abuse
Date: 17 February 2004
By Laurie Goodstein
Laurie Goodstein
CNN reports that nationwide survey has found that 4,450 Roman Catholic priests have been accused of sexually abusing minors since 1950; survey, commissioned by national review board of laypeople, is based on data supplied by bishops of almost all 195 dioceses in US and was conducted at John Jay College (S)
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National Briefing | Midwest: Michigan: Ex-Prosecutor Sues U.S.
Date: 17 February 2004
By Danny Hakim (NYT)
Danny NYT
Richard G Convertino, Michigan federal prosecutor who led government's first major terrorism trial after Sept 11 attacks, files lawsuit charging Justice Department and Atty John Ashcroft with violating his First Amendment rights by removing him from case and leaking details of probe into his conduct (S)
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Sports of The Times; Jeter Shows His Cool, This Time in the Preseason
Date: 18 February 2004
By Harvey Araton
Harvey Araton
Harvey Araton Sports of The Times column discusses New York Yankees shortstop and captain Derek Jeter, who was gracious and welcoming to new player Alex Rodriguez at press conference, seemingly comfortable with his status as four-time world series winner; photos (M)
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AXA SAYS IT WILL NOT INCREASE OFFER FOR MONY
Date: 18 February 2004
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
AXA will not raise its $1.5 billion offer for MONY Group amid opposition from some of MONY's largest shareholders (S)
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SUN BANCORP AGREES TO ACQUIRE COMMUNITY BANCORP
Date: 18 February 2004
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Sun Bancorp acquires Community Bancorp of New Jersey for about $83.2 million in stock (S)
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