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ESide Stories
"Entertainment
News"
"The judge was right
in saying that the Internet is a 'free-wheeling and highly
animated exchange' of ideas. You don't want to hold ordinary
people, who repeat and reprint those ideas, to the same
standards or restrictions -- that you would hold a
sophisticated publishing house or a newspaper -- who
originally printed the statements."
By: Donna Jeffres
|
ok to
reprint tvinews published
statements
|
|
•
• More
About July 31, 0001 -
Internet Defamation Lawsuit Is Dismissed / Scott
Stubblefield, Legal Review
Judge's decision extends free-speech protections to
ordinary users who quote or reprint published
statements.
A judge in Northern California has thrown out a
defamation lawsuit against a San Diego woman whose
Internet postings included derogatory comments
about two doctors--a ruling that some lawyers say
extends free-speech protections to ordinary users
of the Internet.
•
• More
About FEB. 29, 2000
(San Antonio and New York) --
Lowry
Mays,
Chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Communications,
Inc. (NYSE: CCU) and Robert F.X. Sillerman,
Executive Chairman of SFX Entertainment, Inc.
(NYSE: SFX) announced today that the companies have
entered into a definitive merger agreement. SFX is
the world's largest diversified promoter, producer
and venue operator for live entertainment events.
As of the market close on February 28, 2000, the
transaction values SFX Entertainment at
approximately $4.4 billion. This includes the
assumption of approximately $1.1 billion of SFX's
debt net of cash.
•
• More
About August 1, 2000
- Clear Channel Closes Its Merger With SFX
Industry
Veteran Brian Becker to Take Over as Chairman and
CEO of SFX
San Antonio, Texas
Clear
Channel Communications, Inc. (NYSE: CCU) announced
today that the company has closed its previously
announced merger with SFX (NYSE: SFX). Pursuant to
the terms of the Merger Agreement signed by the
Companies on February 29, 2000, each SFX Class A
shareholder will receive 0.6 shares of Clear
Channel common stock for each SFX share, and SFX
Class B shareholders will receive one share of
Clear Channel common stock for each SFX share, on a
fixed exchange basis. Brian Becker, an industry
veteran with 20 years of experience and former
Executive Vice President of SFX, has been named
Chairman and CEO of SFX. In this capacity, Becker
will oversee all operations of SFX.
•
• More
About Gerry Cagle President of SFX - June,
2000
-
Gerry Cagle joined the SFX
when
it was know as Album Network -- eight years ago,
and most recently, was Executive VP, Publishing for
SFX Multimedia. Mr. Cagle replaces Steve Smith, who
was recently promoted to a corporate Executive Vice
President role at SFX.
•
• More
About SFX 02
-
SFX, a subsidiary of Clear Channel
Communications (NYSE:CCU),
is the world's largest producer and marketer of
live entertainment events. SFX currently owns,
operates and/or exclusively books 130 live
entertainment venues, including 44 amphitheaters in
the U.S. Each year, more than 60 million people
attend approximately 26,000 events promoted and/or
produced by SFX, including: Live music events;
Broadway and touring Broadway shows; family
entertainment shows; and specialized sports and
motor sports shows. SFX also provides strategic
sports marketing sales and consulting services to
professional and college teams, leagues, venues and
properties.
|
Internet
Defamation Lawsuit Is Dismissed
Scott
Stubblefield, Legal Review
08 - July 31,
0001 J
Judge's decision
extends free-speech protections to ordinary users who quote
or reprint published statements.
A judge in Northern
California has thrown out a defamation lawsuit against a San
Diego woman whose Internet postings included derogatory
comments about two doctors--a ruling that some lawyers say
extends free-speech protections to ordinary users of the
Internet.
•
•
Free-speech advocates said Monday that Alameda County
Superior Court Judge James A. Richman's ruling probably will
provide a road map for higher courts grappling with the
boundaries of acceptable speech on the
Internet.
•
•
"Boundaries of permissible public discourse have evolved
significantly in the last half-century," Richman wrote last
week in his 27-page ruling. "This is an extremely important
decision," said Ann Brick, an American Civil Liberties Union
attorney in San Francisco. "The judge was right in saying
that the Internet is a 'free-wheeling and highly animated
exchange' of ideas. And you don't want to hold ordinary
people, who are engaged in this discussion, to the same
standards or restrictions that you would hold a
sophisticated publishing house or a
newspaper."
•
•
Stephen J. Barrett, a retired psychiatrist from Allentown,
Pa., who runs "Quackwatch" and a Canadian doctor, Terry
Polevoy, sued several individuals, including Ilena
Rosenthal, for defamation after the two camps clashed on the
efficacy of alternative
medicine.
•
•
"Quackwatch" is a 32-year-old nonprofit organization to
"combat health-related frauds, myths, fads and fallacies."
It focuses on distributing information "that is difficult or
impossible to get elsewhere." Its Web site was launched in
1996.
•
•
Rosenthal runs an Internet support group for women who have
had problems with breast implants. In postings on Internet
news groups, Rosenthal called Barrett and Polevoy "quacks,"
and that Barrett was "arrogant" and a "bully" who tried to
"extort" her.
•
•
She also posted a message to a newsgroup that said,
"Quackwatch appears to be a power-hungry, misguided bunch of
pseudoscientific socialistic bigots," among other
things.
•
•
Richman dismissed the libel and defamation claims against
Rosenthal in part because the doctors were public figures
and with only limited protection under libel
laws.
•
•
The judge also found that Rosenthal was not liable for the
comments of others that she posted on news groups. He found
that Rosenthal, "is not the publisher or speaker" of
statements made by a third person," and thus "she cannot be
civilly liable for posting it on the
Internet."
•
•
Richman based the decision on the 5-year-old federal
Communications Decency Act, which provides immunity to
Internet service providers and
"users."
•
•
Brick and other attorneys said there have been several
high-profile cases involving Internet service providers,
such as America Online, but this was one of the first
cases--if not the first--that extends the same protections
to ordinary
users.
•
•
"This revolutionizes the law on defamation" as it applies to
republishing commentary on the Internet, said Mark
Goldowitz, an Oakland attorney who represents
Rosenthal.
•
•
Christopher E. Grell, an Oakland attorney handling the case
for Barrett and Polevoy, said they disagree with Richman's
ruling and would
appeal.
•
•
"He's extending immunity to where Congress never intended it
to go," Grell said. "This was meant to protect the innocent
users, but the judge is granting immunity to someone who,
without trying to investigate or check the facts,
republishes false information. This basically cancels out
libel law where it currently
exists."
•
•
Dale Herbeck, chairman of Boston College's communications
department, said hundreds of other Internet defamation
lawsuits are percolating in courts around the country. "This
is a lively area of controversy," Herbeck said.
///
TUES.
FEB. 29, 2000
(San Antonio and New York) --
Lowry Mays, Chairman and
CEO of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (NYSE: CCU) and
Robert F.X. Sillerman, Executive Chairman of SFX
Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SFX) announced today that the
companies have entered into a definitive merger agreement.
SFX is the world's largest diversified promoter, producer
and venue operator for live entertainment events. As of the
market close on February 28, 2000, the transaction values
SFX Entertainment at approximately $4.4 billion. This
includes the assumption of approximately $1.1 billion of
SFX's debt net of cash.
•
•
SFX provides integrated promotion, production, venue
operation and event management services for a broad variety
of live entertainment events. SFX currently owns or operates
120 live entertainment venues in 31 of the top 50 U.S.
markets, including 16 amphitheaters in the top 10 markets.
In addition, SFX is a leading fully-integrated sports
marketing and management company, representing more than 650
professional athletes and is the largest producer and
promoter of specialized motor sports shows in the
U.S.
•
•
Including pending acquisitions, Clear Channel will own and
operate radio stations and/or outdoor advertising properties
in virtually every U.S. market where SFX owns and/or
operates live entertainment venues. Lowry Mays said: "This
transaction allows Clear Channel, through SFX, to gain
immediate leadership in the highly attractive live
entertainment segment, while taking advantage of the natural
relationship between radio and live music events. It
leverages the marketing and promotional strength of Clear
Channel's broadcasting and outdoor advertising platforms and
adds a new component to the marketing solutions, which Clear
Channel can provide to its customers to help them sell their
products.
•
•
Additionally, it creates an exceptional platform for Clear
Channel to pursue initiatives relating to the Internet and
music." Robert F.X. Sillerman said: "Having known the Mays
family for almost 20 years and having watched the
spectacular growth of the company and performance of their
stock, it was a surprisingly easy decision to accept their
offer. In the ever-expanding world of media and
entertainment, the combination of distribution and content
is becoming increasingly important. While what we have
created as the world's leader in live entertainment and
sports marketing is gratifying, there is no question that
the combination with Clear Channel will accelerate our
growth and further strengthen our already excellent
prospects. This is a classic win-win situation for our
shareholders and for Clear Channel's
shareholders."
•
•
///
Clear Channel Closes
Its Merger With SFX Industry Veteran Brian Becker to Take
Over as Chairman and CEO of SFX
San Antonio, Texas -
August 1, 2000 -
Clear Channel
Communications, Inc. (NYSE: CCU) announced today that the
company has closed its previously announced merger with SFX
(NYSE: SFX). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement
signed by the Companies on February 29, 2000, each SFX Class
A shareholder will receive 0.6 shares of Clear Channel
common stock for each SFX share, and SFX Class B
shareholders will receive one share of Clear Channel common
stock for each SFX share, on a fixed exchange basis. Brian
Becker, an industry veteran with 20 years of experience and
former Executive Vice President of SFX, has been named
Chairman and CEO of SFX. In this capacity, Becker will
oversee all operations of
SFX.
•
•
"This merger allows Clear Channel, through SFX, to gain
immediate leadership in the highly attractive live
entertainment segment, while taking advantage of the natural
synergy between radio and live music events," said Lowry
Mays, Chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Communication, Inc.
"Moreover, a seasoned executive such as Brian Becker at the
helm ensures that the mutually-beneficial relationship
between the two companies will be fully realized and
expanded upon in the years to come."
•
•
"While I move on to new challenges, I can say with
confidence that Brian Becker is an exceptional leader who
brings unmatched experience in successfully guiding and
growing a company in the midst of, as well as after, a
merger," said Robert F.X. Sillerman, Executive Chairman of
SFX. "Additionally, the fact that he is already highly
respected within SFX, as well as among the executives at
Clear Channel, makes him the most qualified person to take
SFX into a new era."
•
•
"I am eager to move SFX forward as part of the Clear Channel
family," said Becker. "Augmenting SFX's extensive network
and superior talent with Clear Channel's unparalleled global
resources will offer previously unimaginable opportunities
in live entertainment to sponsors, performers and marketing
partners."
•
•
About Clear Channel Communications and SFX Clear Channel
Communications, Inc., is a global leader in the out-of home
advertising industry with radio and television stations and
outdoor displays in 40 countries around the world. Including
announced transactions, Clear Channel operates over 900
radio and 19 television stations in the United States and
has equity interests in over 240 radio stations
internationally.
•
•
Clear Channel also operates more than 700,000 outdoor
advertising displays, including billboards, street furniture
and transit panels across the world. The Company is
headquartered in San Antonio,
Texas.
•
•
SFX is the world's largest diversified promoter, producer
and presenter of live entertainment events. SFX currently
owns and/or operates 120 live entertainment venues in 31 of
the top 50 US markets, including 16 amphitheaters in the top
10 markets. In 1999, more than 60 million people attended
approximately 26,000 events promoted and/or produced by SFX,
including more than 7,800 music concerts, 13,300 theatrical
shows, 1,400 family entertainment shows and 520 specialized
sports shows.
•
•
SFX produces and promotes live music events, as well as
develops and manages touring Broadway shows in 55 markets.
SFX is also a leading fully integrated sports marketing and
management company specializing in the representation of
athletes and broadcasters, integrated event management,
television programming/production and marketing consulting
services in sports, news and other entertainment industries.
Additionally, SFX Sports produces and promotes specialized
motor sports events.
•
•
For further information: Investor Inquiries: Randy Palmer,
Vice President of Investor Relations, Clear Channel/Gabrina
Soliz (210) 822-2828 web-site:
www.clearchannel.com.
•
•
Media Inquiries: Sean Cassidy/Lenore Moritz (212) 685-4300
website: www.sfx.com
•
•
Certain statements in this release constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual
results performance or achievements of the Company to be
materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements.
•
•
///
June, 2000 - Gerry
Cagle joined the SFX
when it was know
as Album Network -- eight years ago, and most recently, was
Executive VP, Publishing for SFX Multimedia. Mr. Cagle
replaces Steve Smith, who was recently promoted to a
corporate Executive Vice President role at SFX.
•
•
Mr. Cagle will oversee
all of SFX Multimedia's activities, including: the
publication of seven trade magazines for radio broadcasters,
music retailers and record industry executives, including
the Album Network, Network 40 and the Urban Network; Live
Tonight, a consumer publication distributed at all SFX
venues; plus the popular broadcast industry reference
publication The Yellow Pages of Rock; a research business
that gathers radio airplay and music retail information for
record labels, artist managers, retailers and broadcasters;
production and distribution of network radio special events
and live concert programming; and coordination of several
broadcast industry conferences, including the Top 40
programmers' "Summer Games."
Mr. Cagle has enjoyed
a 30-year
career in radio
programming at some of the most legendary Top 40 stations in
the country, including KHJ in Los Angeles, KFRC in San
Francisco and WAPP New York. The five-time winner of the
Major Market Programmer of the Year Award took time off from
the broadcast industry in 1980 to serve as Chief of Staff
for the Governor Cliff Finch of Mississippi. Mr. Cagle has
also authored three published fiction novels, including
Sheet Music last year.
•
•
"Gerry Cagle has the experience and vision to continue the
growth and expansion of SFX Multimedia, while remaining
focused on strengthening its solid reputation as a resource
for the entire music industry," said Brian Becker, Chairman
and CEO of SFX.
•
•
"I'm thrilled to be part of the largest live entertainment
company in the world. Continuing to grow the core business
of SFX Multimedia while creating synergistic opportunities
between SFX and Clear Channel is a challenge I accept
enthusiastically. The future of our combined companies is
bright and I'm proud to be a part of it," said Cagle.
About
SFX
SFX, a subsidiary
of Clear Channel Communications (NYSE:CCU), is the world's
largest producer and marketer of live entertainment events.
SFX currently owns, operates and/or exclusively books 130
live entertainment venues, including 44 amphitheaters in the
U.S. Each year, more than 60 million people attend
approximately 26,000 events promoted and/or produced by SFX,
including: Live music events; Broadway and touring Broadway
shows; family entertainment shows; and specialized sports
and motor sports shows. SFX also provides strategic sports
marketing sales and consulting services to professional and
college teams, leagues, venues and properties.
•
•
In addition, SFX owns
a leading full-service talent management company,
specializing in the representation of athletes and
broadcasters. SFX is headquartered in New York City. More
information is available at http://www.sfx.com .
•
•
Clear Channel Communications, Inc., headquartered in San
Antonio, Texas, is a global leader in the out-of home
advertising industry with radio and television stations,
outdoor displays and entertainment venues in 40 countries
around the world. Including announced transactions, Clear
Channel operates over 1,120 radio and 18 television stations
in the United States and has equity interests in over 240
radio stations internationally. Clear Channel also operates
more than 750,000 outdoor advertising displays, including
billboards, street furniture and transit panels across the
world.
///
_________
ByLines:
Editors Note
More
Articles
• Converging
News 362005 / TeleCom Spin offs, Buy Outs and Asset Seizure
Boom
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TVI Magazine
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TVI Magazine's E-SideStories (Entertainment)
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July
31,2001 -
Internet Defamation Lawsuit Is Dismissed / Scott
Stubblefield, Legal Review •
FEB.
29, 2000 (San
Antonio and New York) -- Lowry
Mays, Chairman and CEO
• August
1, 2000 -
Clear Channel Closes Its Merger With SFX
Industry • Gerry
Cagle President of SFX -
June, 2000 - Gerry Cagle joined the
SFX.
• About
SFX 02 -
SFX, a subsidiary of Clear Channel
Communications
(NYSE:CCU)
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