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That Federal Help For US Newspapers That We Suggested Six Months Ago Doesn’t Sound So Farcical In Today’s World --- Philip M. Stone April 22, 2009
Six months ago when the federal government started throwing huge amounts of money around for various federal bailouts – (Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac, the banks etc,) we suggested that maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea for newspapers to get some help, too, and, yes, we understood all the complaints from naysayers about the media beholden to a government that it is supposed to criticize.

Two Weeks Ago Google’s Eric Schmidt Told How He Wants To Help Save Print Newspapers And What Does He Now Do – He Closes Down The Print Ads Program Used by More Than 800 Newspapers --- Philip Stone January 22, 2009
Even the high and mighty are being economically squeezed and that means that Google is cutting out what it considers superfluous projects and concentrating on its core revenue producers. So promises of the past – even two week old promises – no longer hold water.

Were You One Of The Few Not Watching The Obama Inauguration? --- Philip Stone January 21, 2009
It was the most watched event in TV history – Barack Obama sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. And there were very few places in this world where you would not have been able to watch that live on TV, high definition TV in some places! And of course if you didn’t have a TV nearby then you could have watched it on any number of Web sites or on your mobile phone.

Diversity becomes hot media topic --- Michael Hedges November 24, 2008
All things financial have permeated airwaves and headlines for weeks, usually in funeral tones. Pirates, from bankers bungling to Somalis hijacking boats, have grabbed lots of attention. Bubbling to the surface, perhaps as relief from the nastiness, is a topic a bit more tangible. Diversity in society and media, societies mirror, is getting attention.

Long dominant public broadcaster falls on hard times --- Michael Hedges November 24, 2008
Caught between rising costs and falling ad revenues, broadcasters are cutting costs wherever they can. With this financial trap exacerbated by the wave of far broader economic woes, cutting services is next. If that isn’t enough to quell the mounting red ink, selling assets is all that’s left.

Ukraine regulator proceeds with Russian TV ban – the Eurovision connection --- Michael Hedges October 30, 2008
Relations between Ukraine and Russia are complicated. About half Ukraine’s population is, well, Ukrainian and reflexively supportive of Ukrainian language media. The rest of the country, predominantly eastern and southern Ukraine, is Russian speaking… and predisposed to watching cable TV channels from Russia. The broadcasting regulator wants Russian channels off the cable systems.

Southeast heat wave coming --- Michael Hedges September 29, 2008
Southeast Europe is vitamin-rich and may have the nourishment big media companies need. RTL Group just bought a majority of a Greek radio and TV company. Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and the Balkans are enticing strategic and financial media investors as other markets brace for winters’ chill.

On Dreams and Memories --- Michael Hedges July 4, 2008
In many lands of this media world, memories are bigger than dreams. Old media stumbles under the weight of all that has gone before. Dreamers stumble, too, but they soldier on, eyes front, forward into the fog.

Cannes Lions winners mix media and stories, just like real people --- Michael Hedges June 23, 2008
The Cannes International Advertising Festival mixes the rough selling trade with the high art of small frames, big frames and no frames at all. For more than a half-century the advertising people have put on this little show to celebrate their best work and themselves. The just finished 2008 gathering was a challenge event; the ad people again proving they’re a half-step ahead.

Eurovision Is, Was And Will Be --- Michael Hedges May 26, 2008
A nice tune performed by a Russian singer, written and produced by Americans, swept the Eurovision Song Contest voting. Commentators from countries that got few votes pulled no punches, calling the most watched single pan-European live television event doomed. The Contest’s eastward trajectory cannot be denied, nor can the phenomenon of the people’s vote.

Eurovision faces tough questions on song contest in Serbia --- Michael Hedges February 23, 2008
Violent demonstrations in Serbia raised tensions among Eurovision Song Contest organizers. Eurovision and the EBU downplayed suggestions of moving the venue from Belgrade.

New Eurovision Song Contest Rules --- Michael Hedges October 2, 2007
The next Eurovision Song Contest will be different. Details are sketchy but two semi-finals will determine the finalists and maybe a wild-card

Serbian media changes little, faces long transition --- Michael Hedges September 24, 2007
The media situation in Serbia hasn’t changed much. 'We are seven years in this (transition) period in Serbia and we can say that we are half way through,' said OSCE Head of Mission in Serbia Hans Ola Urstad in a recent interview. 'A lot more has to be done and it will be done,'

The Talent Show of All Talent Shows – Vote For Your Favorite Country --- Michael Hedges May 11, 2007
It’s the eve of the Eurovision Song Contest finals. The production will air in 42 countries. Viewers by the millions will tune in, cast their votes and tell us how they feel about more than music.

Eurovision Song Contest Not Political --- Michael Hedges - July 31, 2006
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) reacted swiftly and harshly to a suggestion that the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest just might be a great promotional device for the European Unions’ 50th anniversary.

Eurovision Song Contest 2007: the Devil is in the Details --- Michael Hedges June 26, 2006
Hardly more than a month since a Finnish hard rock band called Lordi gave the Eurovision Song Contest an essential boost and it’s time to gather the shock troops and the funds. Finland and its public broadcaster YLE will host.

Communicorp Scores a Quasi --- Michael Hedges June 5, 2006

Secret Company Brings MTV to Ukraine --- Michael Hedges February 16, 2006
MTV Networks are joining the rush to bring new television channels to Ukraine with its’ signature channel MTV Ukraine.

Big News: Planning Required --- Michael Hedges August 1, 2005
Covering news events can be like a military operation: Broadcasters rush to deploy reporters and crews, deliver supplies, to the right locations at the right times. And then, everything changes as the event unfolds.

Ukraine TV Owner Dies Mysteriously - June 30, 2005 --- Michael Hedges June 30, 2005

Print and Broadcast Are Not As Powerful As They Think They Are --- Philip Stone May 30, 2005

Fomenting Public Diplomacy --- Michael Hedges May 2, 2005
RFE/RL has a new logo, dumping that old bell for a new flame, RFI and DW partner-up and the BBC World Service wants to send more emails.

Song For Ukraine, Ukraine For a Song --- Michael Hedges April 4, 2005
Ukraine President Viktor Yushenko drops visa requirements for Eurovision Song Contest visitors and contestants. Ukraine rap artist Greenjolly drops a few words

Social Media: Center Of The Hustle Universe --- Michael Hedges April 18, 2022 Follow on Twitter
Social media has been in the news lately. Actually, social media is always in the news, mostly because it's always there. In that respect, social media is like the Kardashians; basically useless, always in the news. Since inception, social media has traversed several vectors. Most persistent is the hustle.

New Dimensions And Separate Realities In TV Land --- Michael Hedges April 15, 2010 (Follow on Twitter)
Buzz, buzz, buzz; it’s MIPTV. With so much buzzing and twittering how can there be enough time or energy for the PR parties. Television luminaries are buzzing about adapting to converging realities.

Too Little Radio Airplay, Star Singer Complains --- Michael Hedges May 30, 2011 Follow on Twitter
Radio broadcasters and the music industry enjoy a special relationship. Once it was quite symbiotic, mutually beneficial, and both were content. In time it became co-dependent, almost pathological. The relationship has never been true love.

The Artists Take Note Of Bad Actors --- Michael Hedges May 21, 2018 Follow on Twitter
The movie industry did what they always do at the Cannes International Film Festival. For the 71st time the red carpet was rolled out for the famous and fabulous, all looking good and well cared for. Films from all over the world were screened and awards given. The French Riviera weather was good. The vibe was compassion and concern.

Arts And Media Groups Shun Foul Odors --- Michael Hedges February 28, 2022 Follow on Twitter
We owe many lessons to the Happy Advertising People. One is choose your words carefully. Another is always choose your seat carefully. Nobody in ad land tolerates placing their works of creative genius next to a pile of dirt, unless they're selling fertilizer or shovels. This wisdom has made its way to the arts and cultural communities.

Propaganda And Culture Wars Take Away All The Fun --- Michael Hedges March 12, 2021 Follow on Twitter
It is the waning days of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Spring will arrive in a week or so, according to the calendar and not necessarily the weather. The arrival of spring, though, brings the onset of entrant nominees for the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC). It was not held last year due to the first coronavirus wave.

It Brings Out That Inner Diva --- Michael Hedges May 6, 2011 Follow on Twitter
We love the Eurovision Song Contest. The production is big and it consistently draws more than one hundred million viewers. And every year there’s something a little different.

From The Land Of Shakespeare Another Cucumber --- Michael Hedges September 16, 2013 Follow on Twitter
It's called the silly season and everybody understands. Those last weeks of summer with newsmakers still on retreat and journalists stumbling back to their desks are a challenge for editors. It's the time sea monsters rise, UFOs fly and even the least consequential events warrant special coverage.

Not Getting Better But Not Getting Worse --- Michael Hedges May 12, 2014 - Follow on Twitter
Ten years ago the European Union expanded exponentially, adding ten new Member States at one moment. For the media sectors in those countries the decade of EU membership has been brilliant for some, batty for others and baffling for the rest. General media health benefited almost immediately from cross border influence and investment. But euphoria turned, as it often does, to the daily grind of economics, politics and the digital dividend.

TV Dreams and Reality --- Michael Hedges June 3, 2009 Follow on Twitter
Reality TV – and certainly the talent contest variety – are proven popular programs with audiences worldwide. Broadcasters, originally attracted by comparatively low cost, push producers for bigger stunts. The genre has matured, something producers fight. Even in fair fights somebody gets bruised.

If Satire Fails To Cock The Eye, A Farce Will Soon Arrive --- Michael Hedges March 21, 2016 - Follow on Twitter
Satire, of course, can bite. That makes this comedic form perfect for television; quick, witty and to the point. Farce is theatrical, blending exaggerated characters with seemingly random nutty events. The human mind benefits from humor, noted Sigmund Freud, to 'outwit the internal censor'. External censors, having no sense of humor, are relegated to tragedy.

Court Chases Anonymous Trolls Back Under Bridge --- Michael Hedges June 22, 2015 - Follow on Twitter
The internet is a wonderful thing. Online news portals, and others, have discovered a certain bonus from a free and open digital pipeline. Unlike ancient letters to the editor very simple and inexpensive software solutions afford the public at large access points for sharing their views and opinions. Most are thoughtful, some irritating, a few repulsive. Web traffic certainly doesn't suffer from trolls.

Leading By Cooperation --- Michael Hedges January 11, 2011 Follow on Twitter
One lesson from new media is the benefit of cooperation. Technologies being what they are, competing for devices never works. Audiences move quickly through each new phase. Broadcasters and publishers are learning about the power of cooperation and the costs.

Big TV Events Are "Useful" In Many Ways --- Michael Hedges June 6, 2011 Follow on Twitter
Hosting a major televised entertainment event is an opportunity beyond compare for nations big and small. That international spotlight brings lots of attention. It can be "a golden opportunity."

Politicians Demand Broadcaster Transparency --- Michael Hedges June 10, 2013 Follow on Twitter
When public money is spent, the details reveal more than just costs. Public broadcasters quiver when asked to defend expenses as accounting alone says little about public service obligations, at times a bit transcendent. Value for money is, they say, a vastly simplistic concept. But politicians like to keep things simple.

Steep Learning Curve For New Public Broadcasting Chief --- Michael Hedges March 14, 2013 Follow on Twitter
Public broadcasting chiefs are generally appointed because of radio and TV skills or political talent. Sometimes insiders are preferred and sometimes outsiders, depending on the last scandal. A journalistic background can also be helpful, or not. The most common characteristic is an ability to keep everybody happy.

State Media Unhappy About International Attention --- Michael Hedges December 2, 2019 Follow on Twitter
As a concept, public broadcasting of the European variety has vast support. Its radio and television channels, now including online platforms, have offered local entertainment, expansive cultural coverage and reliable information shielded by public funding and statutory independence. This mandate for public service media, as it is collectively identified, sets it apart from commercial, profit-oriented media that relies entirely on popular fare suited for advertising. Audiences for public and commercial channels reflect, generally, the strength of a nations social compact. It has become a bigger battle.

Confusion Seeking Good Press --- Michael Hedges September 28, 2009 Follow on Twitter
There’s an election coming, always a clue to politicians’ interest in television. What better reason to fire the head of the public broadcaster, again. But what if he won’t leave the building?

Don’t Worry, Just Keep Changing --- Michael Hedges June 9, 2014 Follow on Twitter
Control over information is an illusion if not folly. Those who view media through the prism of the pre-digital era are always frustrated, often angry. The best media has always been a little anarchy with great production techniques. Some people just don't get it.

Nice Logo Fools Nobody --- Michael Hedges May 5, 2014 Follow on Twitter
Sour economics of the last decade, digital transitions and political shifting have put the media sphere on the back foot. Uncertainty and insecurity are, in many places, part of the landscape. Change for the better seems illusive as strategic investment is just postponed, short-term benefit all that matters. Meanwhile the carousel keeps spinning.

The Future Is At Hand – State Broadcasting Returns --- Michael Hedges May 30, 2016 Follow on Twitter
Public broadcasters working under constrained independence, administrative and financial, risk default to State broadcasting. Those separated barely a generation from dogmatic control face stiff resistance to new and open practice. Authorities always prefer a pliant mouthpiece.

The Show Must Go On, But Forget An Encore --- Michael Hedges May 21, 2010 Follow on Twitter
The Eurovision Song Contest may be a bit cheesy but it ain’t cheap. For public broadcasters hosting the ESC is an opportunity to step into an international spotlight and show what they can do with a high profile musical event. For those facing budget pressures, the ESC is a challenge, and increasingly so.

Media Freedom: Lead, Follow Or Get Out Of The Way --- Michael Hedges May 7, 2012 Follow on Twitter
Media rights advocates facing intransigent autocrats are, as all know well, between a rock and a hard place. Press releases and statements don't faze the worst of the worst. And triangulating responsibility is a poor substitute for hard diplomacy.

Absolutely Live And Right Now --- Michael Hedges June 1, 2015 Follow on Twitter
The media trend of the decade is right now. People want that drama at the moment they want it and they want to be in it. Delivering that means lots of bandwidth, literally and figuratively. For some media watchers live television is over. For others it isn't just the future it's the only future.

News Crash: Light News Expected --- Michael Hedges December 5, 2022 - Follow on Twitter
A path forward is increasingly dreary for news outlets. This is not simply a seasonal effect. After three years - or so - of multiple, often intersecting newsworthy events those reporting, broadly, are catching up with the listeners, viewers and readers. This means, as several analysts and executives have noted, stepping back. It's a cycle.

Attention Span And Return On Investment --- Michael Hedges March 28, 2022 - Follow on Twitter
Editors weigh carefully the allocation of resources. There is a pattern to sports and election coverage, even the Eurovision Song Contest. Well-established formulas, monitored by clever accountants, dictate personnel requirements to the minute. Every other cost is detailed. Executives weigh all of this against return; advertising, subscriptions, even reputation. Wars change the calculation only somewhat.

TV News Remains A Center Of Attention, Influence And Taste --- Michael Hedges July 18, 2022 - Follow on Twitter
Television news is just as popular as ever, despite grieving publishers and underage streamers, just a bit different. The state of the news business has been equated with state of TV news since Ted Turner announced the death of newspapers in the 1970s. The printed word has not faded away. But across the globe TV news, in its maturity, holds sway.

Good Night And Good Luck --- Michael Hedges May 28, 2012 Follow on Twitter
As new media shortens the attention span of viewers and readers to 140 characters, reporters and editors are even quicker to move from one event, crisis or revelation to the next. Context is lost, some say post-modernly irrelevant. Those intent on controlling images are ever more pleased.

Tragedy And Madness In Time Of War --- Michael Hedges April 29, 2022 - Follow on Twitter
The Russian Federation's war on Ukraine is bloody and terrifying. People benefitting from free, independent news media are hearing the stories and seeing pictures in realtime. Others are mollified by a different reality.

Propaganda Video Revives Continuing Nightmare --- Michael Hedges June 4, 2021 - Follow on Twitter
Thugs act out their worst instincts when cornered. There are no boundaries, nothing is beyond comprehension. Ask any historian. Ask any crime reporter.

Who Are We But To Tame Hate With Truth --- Michael Hedges June 15, 2022 - Follow on Twitter
Bickering over points of view is necessary for intellectual health. What makes for trusted sources of information is part of the same debate. Diplomats will often agree to disagree, maintaining trust in dialogue a key part of their work. When that dialogue breaks down, war commences and the adversaries seek every advantage. Speaking to the ages, the father of tragedy, Greek dramatist Aeschylus wrote: "In war, the first casualty is truth." He long feared being killed by a falling object. He was.

No Time Like The Past, Write The Script --- Michael Hedges May 24, 2021 - Follow on Twitter
Spring is in the air. Lockdowns are easing. People are planning holiday travel. There are so many possibilities. Book that flight now. In the meantime, watch a movie. And pay no attention to the news.

War Reporters Go To The Scene, The Rest Argue About Place Settings --- Michael Hedges April 5, 2022 - Follow on Twitter
Experienced reporters study their subjects well. Readers, listeners and viewers expect this and won’t tolerate anything less. Sports reporters, for example, know the players, teams, coaches, arenas and rules as well as their own gear and schedules. Neither fans nor players give the ignorant a second chance. War reporting is not sport.

Media In High Contrast, Very Black And White, No Grain Or Gain --- Michael Hedges April 25, 2016 - Follow on Twitter
Armed only with their digital devices, pens long ago disappearing, media workers seem less equipped to fend off the onslaught of paranoia, polarization and propaganda. Complicit authorities keep inventing new and creative ways to sideline even basic news, lest the public know too much. Where media freedom is respected, however, folks seem to get along quite well, even happier. Perhaps that's the point.