How is Your News.

Court Strikes Down Restrictions on Media Ownership

A federal court has lifted a key set of government rules aimed at curbing media consolidation in the United States. On Tuesday, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit struck down the Federal Communications Commission’s ban on companies from owning both a newspaper and a television or radio station in the same market. The media reform group Free Press urged the FCC to respond to the ruling, saying, “Evidence suggests that merging newspaper and broadcast newsrooms hurts jobs and journalism. We hope the FCC will take decisive action to protect media diversity and to encourage competition in local news.”

Panel: Coca-Cola Owes $47M for Environmental Damage in Indian Village

In India, a government panel has recommended a $47 million fine against the Indian subsidiary of the soft-drink giant Coca-Cola for environmental damage. The panel found a Coca-Cola bottling plant polluted the water and soil around the village of Plachimada by discharging toxins including cadmium and lead. The plant was shut down in 2004 after local residents successfully won a campaign for its closure. Coca-Cola has denied responsibility for the environmental damage and says it rejects the panel’s recommendation.


 

Compensation Czar Cuts Pay 15% at Bailed-Out Firms

The Obama administration has unveiled new curbs on executive compensation at some of the nation’s top bailed-out firms. On Tuesday, bailout pay czar Kenneth Feinberg reduced salaries and bonuses an average 15 percent for executives at five companies that have yet to repay their loans. Despite the cuts, many executives will still collect lucrative pay checks. At AIG, ten employees will take home at least $5 million apiece. Meanwhile, in Connecticut, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has issued a legal opinion backing taxes on bonuses at bailed-out firms. On Tuesday, Blumenthal said a proposal to tax bonuses over $1 million is constitutional and would likely withstand a court challenge.

Panel: Coca-Cola Owes $47M for Environmental Damage in Indian Village

In India, a government panel has recommended a $47 million fine against the Indian subsidiary of the soft-drink giant Coca-Cola for environmental damage. The panel found a Coca-Cola bottling plant polluted the water and soil around the village of Plachimada by discharging toxins including cadmium and lead. The plant was shut down in 2004 after local residents successfully won a campaign for its closure. Coca-Cola has denied responsibility for the environmental damage and says it rejects the panel’s recommendation.

LA Police Officers Fatally Shoot Unarmed Autistic Man

The American Civil Liberties Union is calling on the Los Angeles Police Department to review its policies following the fatal shooting of an unarmed autistic man. The victim, Steven Eugene Washington, was shot late Saturday night. The officers say they thought Washington was pulling out a weapon from his waistband area, but he turned out to be unarmed.

Judge: Miss. School Board Violated Rights of Lesbian Teen in Prom Denial

A federal judge has ruled a lesbian Mississippi high school student’s constitutional rights were violated when she was barred from bringing her girlfriend to her prom. Constance McMillen, an eighteen-year-old senior at Itawamba Agricultural High School, has challenged a school policy preventing her from bringing her girlfriend as her date and also wearing a tuxedo. The school ended up canceling the prom rather than face the possibility that McMillen would prevail. The court’s decision won’t come in time to revive the canceled prom, but it means the case will go to trial. A group of parents at McMillen’s school have organized a private prom but have also barred her attendance.