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LAT Editorial Page Transformation (NYT)
Michael Kinsley has shaken up the editorial staff of the Los Angeles Times recently, transferring four of his eleven writers, letting one go, and outsourcing some editorials to freelancers. LAT: In the coming weeks and months these pages will change, writes Kinsley in an editor's note.

For ABC, Less Is More in Upfronts (LAT)
The resurgent network cleans up by not seeking big rate hikes while NBC may bring in $900 million less than last year. Mediaweek: Cable's pace of ad gains ever-glacial. Mediaweek: ABC, CBS, Fox, and the WB finish upfront negotiations, leaving both NBC and UPN still struggling to wrap up negotiations.

Book Charges Bill Raped Hillary to Conceive Chelsea (Drudge Report)
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton turned furious and considered legal action after learning author Ed Klein would allege in a new book: Bill Clinton raped her resulting in the conception of their daughter.

Bow-Tie Babbler Begins Anew (AP via Yahoo!)
Creating a new political talk show in a crowded market has been "more daunting than I thought, hurts-your-brain daunting," Tucker Carlson said. USAT: MSNBC chief Rick Kaplan thought of asking Carlson to lose his signature tie.

Web Groups Being Bought Out Traditional Media (FT)
Traditional media companies have stepped up purchases of internet rivals, with the value of public transactions so far this year more than double the total value of public acquisitions made in 2004.

Readers Can't Get Enough Celeb Coverage (NYT)
A deluge of new celebrity-centered magazines in the past few years has quickly changed how the industry niche operates. NYT: How the appearance of big stars in the lowly infomercial format helps to sell acne products.

France Denies Paying Ransom to Free Journo (Guardian)
Michel Barnier, a former foreign minister who worked on the case until leaving the government this month, said no money had changed hands to get Florence Aubenas freed. NYT: French journo returns home after five months in captivity.

Gallup: Public Confidence in Media at New Low (E&P)
Public trust in newspapers and television news continued to decline in Gallup's annual survey of "public confidence in major institutions" in the United States, reaching an all-time low this year. New York: Billy Bush stands up for the media.

Herald Losing News Vets (Boston Globe)
Two months after Boston Herald publisher Patrick J. Purcell said he was seeking deep newsroom cuts at the financially troubled tabloid, a massive exodus is in full swing.

He Can't Possibly Mean Newsfeed (Marketwatch)
Jon Friedman: I respect Google. I admire Google. I appreciate Google. But I have a problem with bloggers who present the view that Google is a "media" company. Independent: Google may well be worth its market value, writes Jeremy Warner.

News for Jesus (Dallas Morning News via Duluth News Tribune)
Many Christians are turning to religious media for their news, and they're finding a growing number of outlets—from TV newscasts and magazines to radio shows and websites.

One-Fourth of U.S. Population Reads Ethnic Media (Tri-Valley Herald)
Some 29 million people prefer ethnic television, radio, and newspapers to the mainstream variety, and 51 million access ethnic media on a regular basis, according to a new study.

In Praise of Anonymice (New York)
Kurt Andersen: A lot of motley, sometimes suspect ingredients go into journalism, including anonymous sources. But that doesn't mean they're not good for you.

Stern a 'Great American' (Esquire)
The FCC knows no bounds in its effort to interfere in the home entertainment of all Americans and means to ravage satellite radio. Be that as it may, the radio host Howard Stern does not lack for merit.

Cheney vs. Journalism (The Nation via Yahoo!)
John Nichols: The crowning irony of Dick Cheney giving out journalism awards is that the vice president hates everything about journalism, unless, of course, it is the journalism of Rupert Murdoch.

AOL Bets on Web Free-for-All (NYDN)
The Biz, a new reality show, and Unscripted, a new celebrity program where stars interview each other, are some of the newfangled content AOL will soon be offering for free.

AMI Revamps Fitness Startup (Mediaweek)
Since its inception, American Media's 10-times-yearly title Looking Good Now has suffered from lackluster newsstand and advertising sales.

Bushnell's Si Sendup (NYDN)
Lloyd Grove: The Manhattan media world is buzzing about Candace Bushnell's Si Newhouse-like character in her latest novel of New York life, Lipstick Jungle.

New Yorker Imitates Far Side? (NYT)
Last week's cartoon caption contest in the magazine could have been an example of art imitating art, or simply more proof to fans of Gary Larson that all roads lead to The Far Side.

Harvard Names Nieman Fellows (Nieman Foundation)
Twelve international journalists were selected for the Nieman program, the oldest midcareer fellowship for journalists in the world.

On the Language of Mea Culpa (NYT)
William Safire: When is an apology not enough? What is the difference between a clarification and a correction or an admission of error? Is a retraction the same as a recantation?

Anchors to Rush to Kiehl's (NYT)
HDTV, the hot new digital technology that makes images look as crisp and sharp as IMAX films, accentuates wrinkles and blemishes much more than normal television.

More Lefty Humor on the Radio Waves (WaPo)
Howard Kurtz: Left-wing hosts like Stephanie Miller may be gaining a foothold in a conservative-dominated field. Fox News "[is] like Comedy Central for liberals," says the Los Angeles radio host.

Snap Here Often? (Washington City Paper)
Huan Hsu: A D.C. attorney orders a news photographer out of a public meeting, then makes a pass at her.

—David S. Hirschman