The Falsies
This year marks the Center for Media and Democracy’s fifth annual Falsies Awards. The Falsies are the non-partisan group’s attempt to shine an unflattering light on those responsible for polluting the information environment during the past year. According to the group: “Don’t think this is an award in name only. Heavens no! Falsies recipients can collect their prizes — a pair of Groucho Marx glasses, our two cents and a chance to atone for their spinning ways by making a detailed public apology — by visiting CMD’s office in Madison, Wisconsin (detailed directions available on request).
The Silver award goes to the reporters and commentators who placed ideology over accuracy when discussing and discounting studies by the prestigious British journal Lancet that suggests that some 650,000 Iraqis had died as of mid-2006, a number that may be more than one million by now.
The Bronze Falsie recognizes a massive greenwash campaign by the coal industry, which ramped up its public relations and marketing efforts in response to the public awareness of global warming that has made it difficult to build new coal-burning power plants. Americans for Balanced Energy Choices (ABEC), an industry front group formed by coal, mining, electric and railroad companies, nearly quadrupled its budget for PR, advertising and “grassroots” organizing, from 2007 to 2008. ABEC sought to influence the U.S. presidential election with a $35 million campaign touting “clean coal” in key primary and caucus states.
All the juicy details are available at Falsies 2008.
Fimoculous: The Lists 2008
And if you’re not yet tired out by the best of 2008 (what with all the bigtime awards shows coming soon (the Golden Globes, the Academy Awards, the Grammys) , then head on over to Fimoculous. Rex Sorgatz’ site lists hundreds of End of Year lists going back to 2001 in advertising, art, books, business, fashion, gadgets, music, paranormal, sex, travel and much much more. We’re just too out of breathe to go on.