April 11, 2008

http://medianewsreports.blogspot.com/

BET

BET News Documents Spelman Students' Humanitarian Efforts in New Special 'Spring Break Diaries'

Providing viewers with an alternate look on how some college students choose to spend their spring break, SPRING BREAK DIARIES is a half hour documentary style special that follows a group of 19 students from Atlanta's Spelman and Morehouse Colleges on a life-changing trip to Senegal in West Africa.

The Passion Of Black Entertainment Television's Jeff Johnson

In this recent interview with Hope Today Magazine, Jeff Johnson speaks on a wide array of topics from Hip Hop in young America, Leaders in the Black Community, Jeana 6, and the 2008 Presidential Candidates.

FOX

Fox Interactive Media appoints president of new ad unit

Fox Interactive Media (FIM) is beefing up its ad sales infrastructure with its new unit, the Fox Interactive Media Audience Network, that combines advertising technology with ad and performance sales. Former EVP of technology and production Adam Bain has been appointed president of the new unit.

MySpace Partners with FX to Air Landmark ''Operation MySpace'' Concert for the Troops on April 12

On March 10, 2008, MySpace, the world’s most popular social network, in cooperation with the Department of Defense’s Armed Forces Entertainment and America Supports You program, launched Operation MySpace, a one-of-a-kind concert event at Camp Buehring in Kuwait, to bring troops serving overseas a taste of home and the opportunity for MySpace to show their support for the millions of troops that use the site as a lifeline to communicate with family and friends.

MySpace Plans to Become an Online Retailer

MySpace plans to sell more merchandise and add a check-out feature following its deals with record companies to offer music downloads, says CEO Chris DeWolfe. Partnerships with Web retailers will allow MySpace to enter online retail, which is dominated by eBay and Amazon.com.

MySpace TV has entered a partnership with ShineReveille to distribute Web-based shows on DVD and broadcast TV outside the United States

Social networking giant MySpace has made a deal with ShineReveille to launch MySpace TV shows like Quarterlife and Roommates on DVD and broadcast television outside the United States, or create localized versions of the shows specifically for international markets. ShineReveille will also be able to market merchandise based on the series in international markets.

MTV

Alicia Keys Partners With Dove/MTV For ‘Fresh Takes’ Series

Alicia Keys is currently appearing on MTV’s “Fresh Takes,” a new micro series created by Dove ‘Go Fresh’ aimed at giving young women in their twenties a fresh take on life. Keys stars as Alex, a public relations executive at a trendy music PR firm in the meatpacking district who is struggling with the pressures of being a young woman in today’s world

Campaign targets MTV's, BET's music video 'assault' on children

A new report from the Parents Television Council finds that daytime music video programming on Black Entertainment Television and MTV features sexual, violent, profane or obscene content once every 38 seconds. Deep concerns are being expressed over the influence that is having on young children

Design a t-shirt, win cool prizes from MTV’s Human Giant!

This is no illusion — your pals Aziz, Paul and Rob at MTV’s Human Giant want YOU, yes you! to design an original t-shirt and in return, win some sweet prizes! The theme is “Old Fashion Fun,” and you really don’t have look far for inspiration, just tune into Human Giant

ThinkMTV, Seventeen Magazine & Declare Yourself Team Up to Energize America's Youth to Register & Vote

Building on momentum established in primaries and caucuses across the country - where the youth vote has regularly doubled, tripled and even quadrupled compared to past elections - ThinkMTV, Seventeen Magazine and Declare Yourself today kicked off a new effort to help mobilize every eligible young American to register and vote.

VIACOM

Viacom Service Sells Movie Clips for $1

Paramount Pictures, in a first, is selling movie clips for at least $1, as part of the launch of a new online clip service called VooZoo that aims to turn film snippets into a new source of revenue and Hollywood's answer to the ringtone. So far, VooZoo is available only on Facebook and There.com.

AFRICA

HIV prevention studies in Africa: it's important to ask about anal sex

Individuals enrolled on HIV prevention trials in Africa should be asked if they have had anal sex, suggest investigators in a article published in the online edition of Sexually Transmitted Infections. Their study found that 18% of women enrolled in their study had recently had receptive anal sex and that undiagnosed anal sexually transmitted infections were present in many of these individuals.

Musicians get equipped on Aids awareness messages

National AIDS Commission (NAC) through Copyright Society of Malawi is mobilising artists from all the regions of the country to sensitise them on how they can use their arty work in educating the general public about the Aids epidemic.

CARIBBEAN

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND LABOR DEPARTMENT HOLD WORKSHOP ON HIV/AIDS

The Labor Department in collaboration with the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry is hosting a HIV and AIDS Workplace Policy Development training session. Hertha Gentle, Acting Deputy Labor Commissioner told us more about the purpose of the seminar.

Race against HIV/AIDS

WHEN LAST have you done something to make your mark against the spread of HIV/AIDS? The Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) is giving you the chance to do just that this weekend at their 7th Annual Ribbons of Hope 5k – the nation’s largest road race against the spread of HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS AND SEXUAL HEALTH NEWS

Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy Launches New HIV/AIDS Web Site

he new site complements Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy’s current HIV/AIDS patient support services. It gives patients the opportunity to get expert advice from an HIV-trained pharmacist in the comfort and privacy of their homes and provides information about HIV/AIDS, including signs, symptoms, treatment and medication management. Patients and caregivers can also access a list of HIV-focused Walgreens pharmacy locations across the country on the site.

Summit on HIV/AIDS in Central America

Three groups are coming together to raise awareness on HIV and AIDS among gay and bisexual men from Central America. The event, will tackle trends and programmatic efforts in Central America and Los Angeles, as well as the impact of migration on HIV risk domestically and internationally.

OTHER MEDIA NEWS

AOL Rolls Out Technology Blog Network

AOL is launching the AOL Technology Network, which includes the blogs Engadget, Switched and others. The network will allow advertisers to integrate ad campaigns across the sites. Also, Engadget is rolling out a new design, "yanking out old modules and ads wherever possible."

CNN Asks Viewers to share content

CNN will engage a multiplatform effort to cover Pope Benedict's first official papal visit to the United States next week. The network is asking viewers to share their firsthand accounts of the pope's public events through video submissions to iReport.com, CNN's new user-generated site.

IAC Launches Black-Oriented Web Site

Barry Diller's IAC and subsidiary Black Web Enterprises are launching the first-ever search engine catering specifically to African American interests, RushmoreDrive.com. In addition to search, the site offers job listings and a news aggregator that also focus on black interests.

YouTube Now Tracks Origins of Viewers

YouTube is introducing a feature for its video creators that will help them better understand where viewers are coming from. The feature shows creators whether viewers discovered their videos by search, through an e-mail or Web-site link, or watched it on another site.

April 09, 2008

BET

Rap-It-Up: Learn The Facts About HIV & AIDS

Local colleges, health organizations and a number of radio stations will offer free HIV testing, health information and a panel discussion about HIV/AIDS and its effects on African American women. oses Cone Infectious Disease Clinic, Bennett College for Women, North Carolina A&T State University and BET (Black Entertainment Television) present Rap-It-Up, a HIV/AIDS Prevention Community Event.

http://www.digtriad.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=101432&catid=216

CBS

CBS In Talks With Time Warner to Use CNN

CBS is said to have held talks with Time Warner about a deal to outsource some of its news-gathering operations to CNN. The talks include reducing CBS's news-gathering capacity while keeping top personalities like anchor Katie Couric. Also: CBS News says it has no plans to outsource to CNN.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/08/business/media/08cbs.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/07/national/main4000535.shtml

CW NETWORK

'Top Model' hit with FCC indecency complaint

The Parents Television Council has filed an indecency complaint with the Federal Communications Commission over The CW network’s telecast of America’s Next Top Model on March 26, which showed a blurred scene of a model posing nude on a bed.

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/media_agencies/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003787131

FOX

BONO GIVES BACK

AMERICAN Idol raised some $75 million for charities around the world last year with its Idol Gives Back special, and the goal for this year’s broadcast on Wednesday, April 9 is $100 million. A bunch of stars have signed on to lend their support, including Bono, who was also on the top-rated show last year.

http://www.irishabroad.com/news/irish-voice/entertainment/Articles/BONO-GIVES-BACK120408.aspx

Hulu CEO Outlines Global Online Ambitions

Hulu's ambition is to bring global content to America and the rest of the world, says CEO Jason Kilar. The online video joint venture between News Corp. and NBC Universal is available for the moment only in the United States. "We have an ambition to be global."

http://www.screendaily.com/ScreenDailyArticle.aspx?intStoryID=38154

News Corp Buys Stake In Online Video Network

Fox Networks, an advertising network run by News Corp.'s Fox International Channels, is acquiring a majority stake in utarget, a European ad network specializing in online video. The unit will be rebranded utarget.Fox and is expected to boost News Corp.'s efforts in online advertising.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/newstex/AFX-0013-24336249.htm

MTV

Mike Myers To Host 2008 MTV Movie Awards

MTV Wednesday announced actor/comedian Mike Myers will host this year’s MTV Movie Awards, scheduled for Sunday, June 1, live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, Calif.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6549527.html

MTV Networks Japan in Online Video Deal

MTV Networks Japan has reached a deal to make a selection of its content, including the animated comedy Beavis and Butthead, available on niwango’s online video-sharing service, Nico Nico Douga.

http://www.worldscreen.com/newscurrent.php?filename=MTVN040908.htm

MTV Tr3́s debuts three new original productions

Three new original productions that place the world and dreams of young Latinos at the center were announced today by MTV Tr3́s. eginning April 14th, MTV Tr3́s viewers will find out what it’s like to make dinner for a Latino superstar on “Rock Dinner,” the moves some viewers will risk for something that really matters to them in “Bust a Ritmo,” and how to get a video produced by MTV in “Dame un Break.”

http://smallscreen.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1399194.php/MTV_Tr3&%23769s_debuts_three_new_original_productions_

UNIVISON

The Latin Recording Academy®, Univision Network, and Mayor Bill White Announce Latin GRAMMY Awards Host City

The Latin Recording Academy® President Gabriel Abaroa, Univision Network news anchor Barbara Bermudo, and Houston Mayor Bill White today announced that the 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY® Awards will be broadcast live from the Toyota Center in Houston on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008.

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080408005048&newsLang=en

Univision, Nielsen Unveil Research Tool

Univision Communications today unveiled a new research tool, developed in conjunction with Nielsen, that it plans to use in this year's upfront to sell sponsors on the benefits of advertising on its Hispanic broadcast network, Univision.

http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/agency/e3ie162533a78dd4240f5af05d087e7bc4d

VIACOM

Mark Taylor To Head Nickelodeon Animation

NICKELODEON/MTVN KIDS UPPED MARK TAYLOR to senior vice president and general manager, Nickelodeon Animation Studio, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of Nickelodeon's Burbank Animation Studio.

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=80242&Nid=41343&p=917272

AFRICA

Africa Goes Wireless

Naabala is a traditional East African Maasai warrior. He has a bright red shukha blanket draped over his shoulder and a baton-like weapon, called a conga, tucked in his belt. As we walk together, his many necklaces jangle as he tells us about his first lion hunt - at the age of 16 - stopping only to show us which plants cure fever and which ones are poisonous. Then our mini-culture lesson comes to an abrupt end when something very unexpected happens - Naabala's cell phone rings.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-kielburger-and-marc-kielburger/africa-goes-wireless_b_95896.html

Full house at PSI condom launch

DESPITE the absence of Mafikizolo, The Population Services International (PSI) Lover’s Plus smooth condom launch held at Cafe Mogambo was a resounding success.

http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=42774&section=entertain

Government adopts male cut as strategy in fight against HIV

The policy, stipulating how all willing Kenyan men, irrespective of their age, will undergo circumcision, sets into motion the use of the surgical procedure as a standard HIV prevention strategy for the country. Health personnel from Government health facilities at various levels are to undergo in-service training to hone their skills on the new procedure.

http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=39&newsid=120839

NO TALK OF CONDOMS

The government in one Nigerian state has banned citizens from promoting condom use, despite the fact that the number of those infected with HIV/AIDS in the nation continues to rise each year reports allAfrica.com.

http://www.bet.com/News/NewsArticleHealthCondomTalkBannedInOnePartofAfrica.htm?wbc_purpose=Basic&WBCMODE=PresentationUnpublished&Referrer=%7B0471DDF0-D0D8-48A8-9E30-ADD40CBE0269%7D

ASIA

Federal HIV/AIDS grant means $291K for Guam

Guam has been awarded $291,055 to assist low income, uninsured and underinsured patients living with HIV or AIDS via a grant to the Department of Public Health and Social Services, according to a news release from the governor's office.

http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080410/NEWS01/804100314/1002

Safe sex? What's that? Migrant workers wonder

CHINA'S arduous war against the HIV/AIDS plague gained a new advocate when the State Administration of Industry and Commerce (SAIC) integrated an HIV prevention message - primarily safe sex - into its routine duties.

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2008/200804/20080410/article_355283.htm

CARIBBEAN

Would you buy condoms, pads?

Most men can identify with feeling awkward when first being asked to pick up feminine hygiene products. Women experience a similar twinge in the pit of their stomachs when purchasing a box of condoms.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080407/flair/flair9.html

HIV/AIDS AND SEXUAL HEALTH NEWS

Alicia Keys Hoping To Spread A Virtual Virus

Alicia Keys [ tickets ], co-founder of the charitable and educational foundation Keep a Child Alive (KCA), continues her fight against AIDS with the release of a new documentary, "Alicia in Africa: Journey to the Motherland," which was filmed during a recent trip to Africa to visit communities affected by HIV and AIDS, according to a press release. Keys also plans to screen the "Alicia in Africa" trailer before each concert on her upcoming American tour, which kicks off April 19 in Virginia. The performer plans to raise money--as well as awareness--with her "Text Alive" initiative, which allows anyone to make an immediate $5 donation to KCA by text messaging "Alive" to 90999.

http://www.livedaily.com/blog/1831.html

Brazil builds £10m condom factory to help save rainforest

Making love might not seem like the most obvious way to save the world's largest tropical rainforest - and combat the threat of Aids. But according to the Brazilian government, which this week opened a £10m condom factory deep in the Amazon jungle, it could be an effective weapon in the battle to silence the chainsaws of Amazonia.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/apr/09/forests.conservation?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront

Condom Maker Launches Nationwide Bus and Concert Tour During STI Awareness Month

Starting today in Atlanta, the Trojan Evolve tour will travel across the U.S. raising awareness regarding the poor state of sexual health in America and urging Americans to petition for change. The fact is, this is not a sexually healthy nation, and the Evolve tour is designed to address this head on by inspiring a positive sexual health movement and empowering Americans to change behaviors and opinions about carrying and using condoms.

http://sev.prnewswire.com/retail/20080408/NYTU05008042008-1.html

Face gives away sexual intentions, new study says

A woman can tell at a glance if the man approaching to woo her is merely after her body or wants a more meaningful relationship, a study indicates. Equally, a man can tell, though with less success, whether a woman is likely to have a relaxed attitude to sex or holds more traditional views.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article3708640.ece

IWU gets grant to study why students make risky sexual decisions

The federal government is so interested that it gave IWU researcher Natalie Smoak and a colleague at the University of Connecticut a $1.2 million grant. They will use virtual-reality technology to study how and why people make decisions that could lead to sexually transmitted diseases, including the human immunodeficiency virus.

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/04/08/news/doc47fc2347319d8330625876.txt

PUSH TO MAKE CONDOMS AVAILABLE IN ALL PRISONS IN AUSTRALIA

Almost 2,000 prisoners are taking part in a sexual health study, comparing NSW, which offers condoms in prisons, and Queensland, which does not. The study is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council and will be published by the National Centre in HIV Social Research.

http://www.ssonet.com.au/display.asp?ArticleID=8128

THT launches "rough sex" website

A leading sexual health charity has created a new information website aimed at gay men interested in rough sex, S&M and other "hard core sexual practices." Terrence Higgins Trust said research had found that men had questions about specific sex scenes but didn't know where to get reliable information.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7346.html

MULTI CULTURAL NEWS

MySpace Expanding Content For U.S. Latinos

News Corp.'s MySpace is expanding its offerings for U.S. Hispanics, adding eight bilingual communities focused on Latino interests. MySpace says it is expanding the Latino site because it has been adding tens of thousands of Hispanic users each month with little promotion.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080408/ap_on_hi_te/apfn_myspace_latinos

National black gay conference attracts Atlanta leaders

Health issues will be a major focus at the conference, especially because of the rising rates of HIV infection among black gay men, Davis said. Dr. David Malebranche of Emory University, who has done significant research on HIV among black gay men, will be taking part in that aspect of the conference.

http://www.sovo.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=17547

OTHER MEDIA NEWS

AARP Launches Its Own Online Social Network

AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, the U.S. organization devoted to interests of people age 50 and over, is launching its news publication, AARP Bulletin, online. The new site if part of a relaunch of AARP.org, which now includes an online social network.

http://www.circman.com/viewmedia.asp?prmMID=3896

Ad Business Model Outdated, Publicis Says

The advertising industry's business model "is no longer valid, no longer relevant," says Maurice Levy, CEO of global ad giant Publicis Groupe. Ad agencies need to develop a deeper understanding of technology, he adds, noting rising competition from Google, Microsoft and Yahoo.

http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSN0848220820080408

CosmoGIRL!, Vice Magazine Go Virtual

Magazines are inching their way into virtual worlds. Vice magazine and vMTV are partnering to create the vLES, a virtual Lower East Side; CosmoGIRL! is holding its first-ever virtual prom in a virtual world created by There.com. Advertisers are experimenting with several platforms.

http://www.minonline.com/features/6688.html

Disney Game Arm to Buy Chinese Developer

Disney Interactive Studios plans to buy Chinese company Gamestar, as the U.S. entertainment giant expands in China. The acquisition will contribute to Disney's "global growth plans" and new products, says Graham Hopper, general manager for Disney Interactive.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080408/china_disney_video_games.html

'Essence' ranks No.1 in ad revenues for March; 'The Green' has biggest gain

Essence magazine led all black-oriented titles in total ad dollars for the month March, according to Media Economics Group's estimates and rankings. The black women's monthly had $19.48 million in ad dollars, compared with $14.0 million for the same month last year, or an increase of 39.1 percent

http://www.targetmarketnews.com/storyid04070801.htm

Gannett's USA Today Launches IM News

USA Today is rolling out a new instant message-based application. Available initially to users of AOL's AIM service, users will be able to search current and archived USAToday.com headlines and set up real-time news alerts. The instant message bot was developed by InfiniteAgent.

http://www.mobileburn.com/pressrelease.jsp?Id=4441

Google, New York Times to Track News Online

Google is teaming up with the New York Times to allow users to track the news geographically in a layer on Google Earth. Users can follow the news by location and by section. The partnership marks the first time Google has worked with a news organization to offer news in real time.

http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2008/04/07/google-earth-adds-new-york-times-layer

HBO Set to Name Naegle as New Series Chief

United Talent Agency partner Sue Naegle could be named HBO entertainment president as soon as Wednesday. Insiders confirm that Naegle has emerged as the top candidate for the highly sought-after position. HBO execs are hinting that an announcement is imminent.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117983725.html

'Old' Media Lead in Nods for Webby Awards

NYTimes.com and NPR.org earned the most nominations, with eight each, for the 12th annual Webby Awards, dubbed "the Oscars of the Internet." Other nominees include PBS, CNN, BBC, the Onion, and the Guardian, as well as Digg, Flickr, and Facebook. Winners will be announced May 6.

http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN0834002120080408

Pitchfork.tv Takes a Stab at Music Videos

Sensing a gap between MTV's reality shows and YouTube's labyrinth of musical treasures, the popular music blog Pitchfork is launching a video service that will serve up music videos, band interviews and even feature-length films at higher quality than is standard online.

http://www.wired.com/entertainment/music/news/2008/04/pitchfork_tv

Time Warner's AOL May Lose to Facebook

Time Warner's struggling AOL online unit could be the big loser if Facebook's new instant-messaging chat feature takes off. Facebook users may become "addicted to Facebook chat and begin to decrease their usage of AIM," according to Pali Capital analyst Richard Greenfield.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/04092008/business/im_chat_not_just_domain_of_aol_105671.htm

Yahoo's Flickr Plans to Take On YouTube

Yahoo will begin showing homemade videos on its photo-sharing site, Flickr, in a long-anticipated move that may be too late to lure most people away from the Internet's dominant video channel, Google's YouTube. Yahoo's inability to keep pace with Google has caused its stock price to sag.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080409/ap_on_hi_te/flickr_video

YouTube Launches C-SPAN Election Channel

C-SPAN, the U.S. private nonprofit cable public affairs network, is launching its own channel on YouTube, focused on the upcoming Pennsylvania primary. Users will be able to upload their videos and share what they believe is the most important issue in the election.

http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2008/04/08/c-span-launches-channel-on-youtube

April 7, 2008

FOX

African Journey of a Lifetime With Alicia Keys! - Documentary Follows Keep a Child Alive's Outreach to Communities Affected With HIV/AIDS

A Portion of the Documentary to Debut During 'IDOL GIVES BACK' Wednesday, April 9, on FOX. Alicia in Africa: Journey to the Motherland is the breathtaking documentary of Grammy Award-winning musician and Keep a Child Alive (KCA) Co-Founder Alicia Keys' month-long trip to Africa to visit communities affected by HIV and AIDS.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/african-journey-of-a-lifetime,342051.shtml

News Corp Sued to Collect Indecency Fines

In an unusual move, the U.S. Justice Department is suing Fox Broadcasting and Sinclair to collect $56,000 in fines for the 2003 broadcast of a "raunchy" reality show. Fox's appeal was "returned without consideration," because its claim was 14 pages over the limit. Fox dubs the decision "offensive."

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080405/fox_indecency.html

VIACOM

Redstone Legacy Clouds Future of Viacom, CBS

Chief Sumner Redstone's frayed relationship with his daughter, Shari, who is nonexecutive vice chairman of both Viacom and CBS, makes the issue of who will succeed him as controlling shareholder much more difficult. Shari was once regarded as the clear successor.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/07/business/media/07redstone.html

AFRICA

Alicia Keys’ Documentary ''Alicia in Africa: Journey to the Motherland'' Available for Exclusive Download on SpiralFrog™

SpiralFrog, Inc., the free and legal, ad-supported web-based music service, today announced it was selected by the non-profit organization, Keep a Child Alive (KCA), to be the exclusive download partner for “Alicia in Africa: Journey to the Motherland,” the documentary of Grammy Award-winning musician and Keep a Child Alive (KCA) Co-Founder, Alicia Keys’, month-long trip to Africa to visit communities affected by HIV and AIDS.

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080407006338&newsLang=en

Rwanda: Students Ask Questions About Aids

Answers, Solutions and Knowledge - ASK - on HIV/Aids. That is what 18 students acquired during a one-month training. They recently received their certificates. The training was organized by the international student's platform Aiesec in partnership with World Vision. It culminated in the Come and ASK (Answers, Solutions and Knowledge on HIV/Aids) day, during which the 18 students, most of whom hail from the School of Finance and Banking, received their certificate.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200804071399.html

Uganda: ABC Strategy Not Enough in HIV Fight

THE fifth National AIDS Conference took place at Speke Resort Munyonyo recently. The theme was "Evidence-driven action for greater success" with the slogan, "Moving beyond past achievements." Moving beyond the past achievements calls for going beyond the ABC (Abstinence, Be faithful and Condoms) strategy.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200804070653.html

Uganda: Start Door-to-Door HIV Testing – MP

The chairperson of the parliamentary committee on HIV/AIDS Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye has advised the AIDS information centre to start door to door HIV/AIDS testing to enable a bigger population know their sero status.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200804071060.html

11 Leading Ethiopian Companies Commit To Achieving HIV/AIDS Results In 100 Days

The 11 companies are participating in a pilot project lead by the Ethiopian Business Coalition Against HIV/AIDS (EBCA), in partnership with the World Bank Institute and the Rapid Results Institute, to accelerate the achievement of HIV/AIDS results in Ethiopian companies.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/102916.php

ASIA

Driving home the AIDS message

At Balasore Railway Station when this seven-coach train parked, this group of about five met some rural folks and got them talk on HIV/AIDS. All that the visitors knew was Red Ribbon Express (RRE) was an exhibition on the wheels about HIV/AIDS. Not many knew details about the dreaded disease.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEQ20080406015700&Page=Q&Title=ORISSA&Topic=0

Twenty-one killed by HIV/AIDS in Badung district, Bali

As many as 21 people in Bali`s Badung district died of HIV/AIDS in 2008, a local HIV/AIDS eradication activist said here on Friday. Speaking at the closing of a "peer educators" training course for villagers concerned about the deadly disease, Adi Rukmini of Badung District`s AIDS Eradication Commission (KPA) said the district now had 373 HIV/AIDS sufferers who were living in almost all of the region`s sub districts.

http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2008/4/6/twenty-one-killed-by-hiv-aids-in-badung-district-bali/

CARIBBEAN

MEDIA GETS INVOLVED IN STOPPING HIV / AIDS

“It was to involve the media in the discussion on HIV and also stigma and discrimination and we were looking for a unique way to make it real or as real as possible so that the media could experience a little bit of what it is, what it feels like in dealing with HIV. The hope is that they would take their experiences and use it to model their stories on the way they report and speak on HIV and stigma and discrimination and in general how stories are reported.”

http://www.lovefm.com/ndisplay.php?nid=7593

Red Stripe cancels concert sponsorships in Jamaica, cites violent lyrics

The company has withdrawn thousands of dollars (euros) in sponsorship from the popular "Reggae Sumfest" and "Sting" reggae show. Musicians are glorifying violence in what has become a worrisome trend, the company said in a statement Friday.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/05/news/CB-GEN-Jamaica-Red-Stripe.php

St. Kitts and Nevis represented at HIV/AIDS Communication Workshop in Antigua

ST. KITTS-NEVIS is now better positioned to adapt a regional communication strategy to address HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination following a recently concluded coaching workshop organised by Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) held at the City View Hotel, Antigua.

http://www.sknvibes.com/News/NewsDetails.cfm/4906

OTHER NEWS

Facebook to Roll Out Real-Time Chat Feature

Facebook this week will launch Facebook Chat, which the social network describes as "a new way for you to communicate with your friends in real-time." Users will find the new application at the bottom of their browsers. Facebook Chat "will make it easier to connect instantly."

http://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=12811122130

Google Sued for Posting Pictures of House

A couple in a Pittsburgh suburb are suing Google, saying pictures of their home on its Web site violates their privacy and devalues their property. Images of the home of Aaron and Christine Boring appear on Google's "Street View" feature, which allows users to find street-level photos.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080404/ap_on_hi_te/google_photo_lawsuit

Nielsen to Buy TV, Web Audience Research Firm

Nielsen plans to acquire IAG Research, a New York-based television and Internet audience research firm, for $225 million to strengthen its media business. Nielsen, a provider of market research and media services, expects to complete the acquisition in the second quarter.

http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSWNAS698520080407

April 4, 2008

CBS

CBS Sharing Final Four Games on the Web

This year, for the first time, CBS is allowing hundreds of Web sites -- ESPN.com, SI.com, Facebook -- to add a button that sends visitors to the streamed games of the NCAA men's Final Four tournament. "Facebook is sort of becoming everyone's home page," muses one college student.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-streaming4apr04,1,5779928.story

CW NETWORK

CW refreshes makeovers

The CW wants to give makeover reality shows a makeover. The network has ordered a one-hour pilot titled "Styledome" that combines the traditional beauty makeover series with a race-against-the-clock competition show.

http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN0446743920080404

FOX

Murdoch: Traditional Mass Media Will End

Rupert Murdoch foresees the end of traditional mass media with consumers receiving news and entertainment from limited sources. Media companies need to diversify to survive, which is one reason his company acquired MySpace, he says. "Technology is going to destroy all the old ways."

http://explore.georgetown.edu/news/?ID=32589

MySpace May Be 'New MTV'
MySpace could be on its way to becoming the "new MTV", now that the social networking giant is announcing a new music deal with several recording industry majors. The new service will carry an old name, MySpace Music, but offer free ad-supported music and music video streams, as well as a marketplace for MySpace users to buy music downloads, ringtones, concert tickets and merchandise.

http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-myspace3apr03,1,1646549.story

MySpace Music Debuts as iTunes Tops Sales

MySpace is teaming up with record giants Sony BMG, Universal and Warner to launch an online service to sell music, tickets and merchandise. MySpace Music will operate as a separate company. Also: Apple says its iTunes online music store has become the No. 1 U.S. music retailer.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080403/ap_on_hi_te/myspace_online_music

News Corp Internet Division to Reorganize

Fox Interactive Media could fall short of its fiscal 2008 revenue target of $1 billion, as it reorganizes to better exploit online advertising. The News Corp. division plans to launch its long-awaited online ad network, FIM Audience Network, consolidating its newly developed ad technologies.

http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSN0444089220080404

MTV

MTV Responds To Artists Who Want Their Music On TV

Today, MTV and Garnier Fructis unveiled a new program that will give emerging artists the chance to have one of their songs featured in a primetime MTV show this summer. The "I Want My Music on MTV" contest, beginning today, will come to life on every MTV screen, including MTV.com, Virtual MTV and the ultimate pay-off coming on-air on MTV.

http://www.rapnews.net/0-202-262848-00.html?tag=google

Up Close With Hank: A Look At MTV Networks' Upfront
When MTV Networks holds its upfront presentation May 8, it promises to offer a twist on the industry's relentless push for ROI. Enter "Return on Innovation," a catchphrase for the breakthrough opportunities MTVN says it will encourage marketers to experiment with, ranging from new ad models to integrated campaigns with on-air/digital connections.

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=79870&Nid=41127&p=917272

UNIVISON

Univision Launches New Children's Programming Block ``Planeta U''

The Univision Television Network announced today the launch of "Planeta U" (Planet U), an educational and informational (E/I) programming block to appeal to kids of all ages, from pre-school to high school. This safe zone for all young viewers airs on Saturday mornings from 8:00-11:00 a.m. ET/PT

http://www.pr-inside.com/univision-launches-new-children-s-programming-r518858.htm

VIACOM

Viacom, CBS TV Shows Delivered by Adobe

Adobe Systems is starting public trials of software that will deliver advertising-supported subscriptions to television programs, including CBS series "CSI" and "Big Brother." Media companies including CBS and Viacom will provide their programming through the Adobe Media Player.

http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN0333978920080403

AFRICA

Editors Charged to Foster India-Africa Cooperation

The First India-Africa Editors Conference opened yesterday in New Delhi, India with a call on journalists from Africa and India to help in fostering relations and cooperation between the two blocks and bridge the information and knowledge gaps between them.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200804040136.html

Survey Finds Farm Workers Vulnerable to HIV, Particularly Women

An HIV prevalence survey among 10 farms in the Hoedspruit area of the Limpopo Province in South Africa has found that farm workers are highly vulnerable to HIV. The survey, commissioned by IOM and partner Hoedspruit Training Trust (HTT), found that of the 1500 farm workers who voluntarily participated, 28.5 per cent were living with HIV.

http://appablog.wordpress.com/2008/04/04/south-africa-survey-finds-farm-workers-vulnerable-to-hiv-particularly-women/

ASIA

IAS Calls For Release Of Chinese Rights Activist

The International AIDS Society (IAS) today expressed grave concern over the sentencing of Hu Jia - a prominent Chinese human rights activist - on charges of subversion, and called for Mr Jia's immediate and unconditional release.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0804/S00050.htm

Report: Chinese media revenue to reach 544 bln yuan in 2008

Mobile and online media saw rapid growth, earning a revenue of 105.3 billion and 29.7 billion yuan in 2007. The proportion of new media, especially mobile televisions and mobile phone videos, grew to 28.07 percent of the industry.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/04/content_7917260.htm

The Red Cross and bad blood

Thailand's Red Cross Society should reveal more scientific evidence to support its decision to ban homosexuals from giving blood donations. Thailand's Disease Control Department has found that the greatest risk of contracting HIV/Aids comes from having unprotected sex, regardless of whether someone is homosexual or heterosexual.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/040408_News/04Apr2008_news18.php

Yahoo's Yang: No Easy Answers In China

Yahoo -- along with Microsoft and Google -- is enduring heated criticism for providing data about its users to the Chinese government, allegedly prompting arrests and imprisonment of dissidents. "We are faced with very gray areas of freedom of expression," says Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang.

http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9910846-7.html

CARIBBEAN

$63 Million for HIV/Aids Prevention and Control

A sum of $63.3 million has been earmarked for the Jamaica HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Project in the Ministry of Health and Environment in the 2008/09 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.

http://www.jis.gov.jm/parliament/html/20080404T090000-0500_14726_JIS__63_MILLION_FOR_HIV_AIDS_PREVENTION_AND_CONTROL.asp

All Caribbean countries now included in US funding to fight HIV/AIDS

Hailing it as a major boost in the fight against the devastation of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean, US Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen applauded Wednesday’s passage of the US Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act.

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-6995--42-42--.html

Caribbean activists awarded for their work on behalf of HIV/AIDS

Housing Works, the largest grassroots AIDS organization and largest minority-controlled AIDS organization in the U.S., is set to honor Haitian activist Esther Boucicault and Puerto Rico’s Gloria Gonzalez at the fourth-annual Keith D. Cylar AIDS Activist Awards on Thursday, April 17 at the Times Center, 242 W.41st Street in New York City.

http://www.caribbeanworldnews.com/middle_top_news_detail.php?mid=555

Cuba to open TV channel with foreign content

Cuba's state-run television broadcaster will start a 24-hour channel with mostly foreign content in a move to provide Cuban audiences with more variety. The Cuban Institute of Radio and Television, ICRT, made the announcement on Wednesday at a conference of the Cuban writers and artists guild, where intellectuals have criticized the poor television programming in the socialist state.

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-6990--5-5--.html

Journalist wants to see more Caribbean in US

A local journalist is leading the way in discussions as the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) seeks to forge closer links with the National Association of Caribbean American Journalists (NACAJ). “The hope is that the discussions on the weekend will eventually lead to not just more Caribbean-Americans in mainstream American media, but more Caribbean issues in mainstream American media.

http://www.antiguasun.com/paper/?as=view&sun=243445087603312008&an=402636089403312008&ac=Local

New wireless telecom network launches in the Dominican Republic

Trilogy International Partners, an American holding company which invests in wireless telecommunication operations outside the United States, on Thursday announced the launch of its new telecommunications company in the Dominican Republic, VIVA.

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-6984--18-18--.html

National AIDS Secretariat Promotes Usage of Female Condom

The National AIDS Secretariat is stepping up efforts to empower women and promote behavioural change in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Carmeta Douglin, HIV/AIDS Advisor for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) facilitated the workshop. Ms. Douglin, who is responsible for Barbados and OECS territories, told SKNIS that the workshop is part of a larger strategy.

http://www.sknvibes.com/News/NewsDetails.cfm/4885

Pastor Deems Masculine Ideals Destructive

Nevis -LOCAL Minister of Religion at the Eden Browne Church of God, Pastor Davidson Morton has articulated his dissatisfaction with current destructive models of masculinity.

The remarks came during an exclusive interview with SKNVibes.com where Morton discussed several factors contributing to societal ills such as gang violence and HIV/AIDS.

http://www.sknvibes.com/News/NewsDetails.cfm/4891

Three countries on target to meet UN/HIV prevention goal

Jamaica, Barbados and Cuba are the only two regional countries on track to meet the United Nations target of preventing HIV mother to child transmission (PMTCT). According to the report, 'Unite for Children:Unite Against AIDS', the three Caribbean countries will meet the 2010 goal of offering the appropriate services to 80 per cent of HIV-positive pregnant women to ensure PMTCT.

http://www.caribbean360.com/News/Caribbean/Stories/2008/04/04/NEWS0000005669.html

‘What’s Your Position?’ Campaign Blazing the Trail in Trinidad

THE ‘What’s Your Position?’ HIV/AIDS awareness campaign is currently taking the nation by storm as local media stations are saturated with the awareness messages. Young people are apparently embracing the campaign as well, donning T-shirts and various other promotional materials advocating safer sexual practices. The campaign slogan begs the salient question ‘What’s Your Position on HIV/AIDS?’ while the campaign material offers an ABC approach for prevention of the disease. These include A- Abstain, B- Be faithful, C- Consistent Condom Use, D- Do Get Tested and E-Educate Yourself.

http://www.sknvibes.com/News/NewsDetails.cfm/4881

HIV/AIDS AND SEXUAL HEALTH NEWS

Estelle wants her American Boy to wear a condom

She might be living in New York, but Estelle just nipped back to London to launch the 'Get Lippy' campaign with The Body Shop. Although she's a busy hip hop artiste, it's nice to see she's using her American Boy fame to create some HIV (and safe sex) awareness.

http://www.osoblog.tv/2008/04/estelle_in_hiv_campaign.html

Magic Johnson Invites African Americans To Sign Up Online To Help Fight HIV

Since its 2006 launch, the "I Stand With Magic" program, a part of the "Campaign to End Black AIDS," has provided free HIV/AIDS testing to more than 21,000 Americans in 16 major cities with large African-American populations as part of the "I Stand With Magic" tour.

http://www.blacknews.com/news/i_stand_with_magic101.shtml

Stigma Major Obstacle to HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment for Women

A new survey finds that women living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, face high levels of social stigma. Susan Blumenthal, senior policy and medical advisor for amfAR, the foundation for AIDS Research that released the national survey, says stigma is a major obstacle to the treatment and care of women infected with the virus. "In part because of more poverty, fewer resources and the social inequities that surround women's lives in many societies."

http://www.voanews.com/english/Science/2008-04-03-voa44.cfm

UN Reports Progress in Treating Children With HIV/AIDS; Challenges Remain

he Children and AIDS report by three U.N. agencies, UNICEF, UNAIDS and the World Health Organization, says that last year 2.1 million children under the age of 15 were living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. It estimates 290,000 children under the age of 15 died from AIDS in 2007.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-04-03-voa64.cfm

MOBLE NEWS

Yahoo Adds Voice Technology To oneSearch
Yahoo has thrown down the gauntlet in the nascent mobile search wars with its new voice search offering. On Wednesday, it announced a partnership with voice recognition startup Vlingo to power its oneSearch mobile search platform. Along with the exclusive partnership, Vlingo also received a $20 million round of funding from a number of investors, including Yahoo.

http://gigaom.com/2008/04/02/yahoo-counters-googles-mobile-onslaught-with-voice/

OTHER NEWS

Billboard Launches Billboard En Español

In a further extension of its coverage of Latin music and the Latin music market, Billboard has launched Billboard En Español, a Spanish-language Web site that will provide 24/7 authoritative coverage of Latin music artists and trends.

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003785276

New media trends turn to Spanish language

With the new Spanish-language newscast on Citrus TV, students like Nectarie Sánchez have a chance to not only use their language skills but to be on the forefront of media progression. "I feel very proud that Syracuse is one of the first schools that is doing something aimed at the Hispanic market," said Sánchez, a sophomore French and music industry major.

http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2008/04/04/News/New-Media.Trends.Turn.To.Spanish.Language-3303483.shtml

Nielsen Coverage Snafu Hits Cable Biggies, As Well As Smaller Nets
Among the list of 21 cable networks whose coverage area ratings have been overstated by Nielsen over the past six months were some fairly established, mature channels including E! Entertainment, National Geographic, Oxygen and Versus, according to a list obtained by MediaDailyNews.

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=79868&Nid=41127&p=917272

Study: Teens more likely to be swayed by friends

Forget about appealing to a teens insecurity or vanity. According to a new Teen Topix report from OTX Research, teens are less likely to be influenced by vanity or insecurity and more likely to be influenced by friends and family.

http://www.bizreport.com/2008/04/study_teens_more_likely_to_be_swayed_by_friends.html