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NYP Gossip in $220K Extortion Racket? (NY Sun)
Jared Paul Stern, a freelance gossip columnist, is under investigation by the FBI for an extortion attempt involving billionaire Ron Burkle. Stern allegedly demanded $100,000 from Burkle, plus a regular stipend of $10,000, to not write any damaging stories about the supermarket magnate. NYP: Sources close to the investigation say the FBI has been investigating for two weeks and has Stern on video and audiotapes. NYDN: On Monday, Stern emailed instructions to a designated Burkle employee for a $100,000 down payment to be wired to his New York City bank account, and during the week sent more emails wondering where his money was. FBNY: Burkle rumored to be one of the possible investors for Radar's third launch. NYT: "Should the allegations prove true," Post EIC Col Allan said, "Mr. Stern's conduct would be morally and journalistically reprehensible, a gross abuse of privilege, and in violation of the New York Post's standards and ethics."

Zucker Approached Vieira About Today Job in October (WaPo)
Her reaction? "I really thought you were going to skew a little younger, since I'm pretty old," said Vieira, 52. Later, Vieira had dinner at the apartment of her future co-host, Matt Lauer. LAT: Just hours after NBC announced her appointment, conservative media groups assailed her as biased, pointing to remarks she made on The View in 2004 about the Iraq war being "built on lies." TVNewser: Vieira says she will put biases aside.

Fox Signs Steven Spielberg for Idol-Like Reality Show (Reuters)
The upcoming series, slated to air sometime in the 2006-07 broadcast season, will pit a group of aspiring filmmakers in competition for a Hollywood development deal on the lot of DreamWorks, the studio Spielberg co-founded.

Woodruff Sends Message to Co-Workers (AP via USAT)
Injured ABC anchor Bob Woodruff wanted to deliver the news to his colleagues himself: He's moving on to outpatient care for injuries he suffered in Iraq and enjoying family life, he said in a written message.

Uproar Over Bush Role in Plame Leak (WaPo)
Disclosure of President Bush's authorization for Lewis Libby's leaks to reporters brought strong criticism from administration political foes, but little likelihood that their demands for explanations will be met.

China Imposes Limits on Foreign Mags (Guardian)
Beijing said it would not enter into any further partnerships with foreign publishers wanting to launch titles in China, in a bid to help indigenous media firms. "We have no plans to add more copyright cooperation with foreign media companies," said an official.

Axe Man Hovers at Time Inc. (NYP)
Today Time Inc. is expected to tell staffers of yet another round of cutbacks, reaching up to 120 back office and production people. It will mark the third major round of cutbacks in the past four months. The company cut about 200 staffers in December and January.

Woodward Bites Back (The Nation)
"I was genuinely shocked to read [David Corn's] recent column Woodward and Reality," writes WaPo writer Bob Woodward. "The column is thoroughly dishonest and represents another low for journalism."

Writer Says Syriana Plagiarized Her Work (Chicago Tribune)
French screenwriter Stephanie Vergniault claims the complex global thriller borrowed "very largely" from a script she completed in 2002. Titled Oversight, her story line involved CIA intrigues with oil companies in the Persian Gulf, according to the court filing.

Devil in the Details (WWD)
With less than three months to go before The Devil Wears Prada opens in theaters, there has been some talk that Fox 2000 Pictures is not screening the film for editors of any Condé Nast magazines. In fact, Fox only neglected to invite Vogue editors.

Spin Hires 'Madame of Punk Rock Porn' (FBNY)
It's been a dizzying few weeks over at Spin, with editors and columnists filing on and off stage like sets at Coachella. Enter their latest hire: Joanna Angel, punk rocker-cum-porn star and founder of four-year-old alternative porn site BurningAngel.com.

Advisory Firms Tells Shareholders to Reject Parts of VNU Bid (NYP)
A private equity group's plan to buy Dutch media giant VNU NV, owner of Billboard magazine and the Nielsen television ratings service, was dealt a serious blow yesterday after a powerful advisory firm told shareholders to vote against several key provisions of the deal.

Monopolists Losing Their Monopoly (BusinessWeek)
Jon Fine: At the NAA convention I encountered a newspaper exec in the elevator. No conservation measures for this guy! "I'm just gonna gas up my SUV and go out in a blaze of glory," he all but hooted as the doors shut. In many ways, that is precisely the problem with newspapers.

The Dirty Word in 43 Down (Slate)
If you finished Monday's crossword puzzle in the New York Times, your answer for 43 Down, clued as "Scoundrel," was SCUMBAG. Most puzzlers, penciling in these letters, felt nothing more than mild satisfaction. But a small number knew enough to be outraged.