Author: Staff

  • Wells Fargo Mostly Mute on their Relationship to the NRA

    Wells Fargo and the Gun Industry - Cartridges
    Gold for the banking industry?

    In 2018, Bloomberg News reported some amazing facts regarding Wells Fargo, one of the nation’s largest banks.

    The San Francisco-based bank last week issued a $40 million line of credit to gun manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Co., according to financial filings. That’s on top of the $431 million in debt that Wells Fargo has arranged for gunmakers since December 2012, when the Sandy Hook school shooting escalated the gun control debate. No other bank lent more to the industry over that time, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. 1

    In a recent article on Yahoo! Finance, Wells Fargo seems to downplay this relationships.

    Wells Fargo (WFC), one of the largest U.S. banks, has downplayed its relationship with the National Rifle Association, as big business’ ties to the gun industry come under renewed scrutiny in the wake of two mass shootings. Amid a rash of gun violence, Wells Fargo and other financial institutions have been criticized for financing lines of credit for gun manufacturers — as well as for their links to the nation’s most prominent Second Amendment lobbying group. 2

    The facts seem to prove a somewhat unclear picture.

    Wells Fargo & Co. has emerged as the preferred financier for the U.S. gun industry. 3

  • Phil Ehr

    Phil Ehr [Photo: Phil Ehr for Congress]

    References:

    • Pensacola News Journal, Jim Little, March 14, 2019 – Democrat Phil Ehr files to take another run at Matt Gaetz in 2020

  • Fair Use in News Reporting

    Copyright

    Fair use is a doctrine that is used to encourage criticism and commentary of copyrighted works. It is based on the concept that one should be free to use portions of copyrighted materials without asking permission from the copyright owner. It is an equitable principle that is frequently used as a defense by those sued for copyright infringement. 4

    The four factors which generally determines fair use. 5

    • Purpose and character of use
    • Nature of the copyrighted work
    • The amount
    • The effect on the market

    Understanding the Fair Use factors for Reporters

    Copyright law bestows certain exclusive rights on creators. For example, under 17 U.S. Code § 106, copyright holders have the exclusive right to reproduce their work, create derivative works, and perform the work publicly. But these exclusive rights are not absolute. The doctrine of fair use creates important exceptions. 6

    The Center for Media and Social Impact has created one of the most authoritative articles on the fair use factors. There Set of Principles should be read by all broadcasters and especially reporters. The downloadable PDF makes a great reference document to keep at hand. 7

    When Can You Use News Clips in Your Blog?

    Always review the above four issues regarding fair use with your lawyer, but it is generally understood if the originator of the news clips offers embed capabilities either direct or indirect through such services as YouTube.com, it most likely falls under the fair use copyright law. Make sure it satisfies those factors.

    Is the video shareable when used on YouTube.com

    Once you find the original copyright owner, follow the Center for Media and Social Impact’s Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for One Video document. The document gives some specific examples which will probably help your decision.

    Interesting Articles about Fair Use Lawsuits

    TVEyes encounters problems with Fair Use and Fox News. In a previous lawsuit, Fox News sued TVEyes for selling news. 8

    Very interesting, well researched article, about using news clips in documentary film-making and videos. 9

  • Banking Alternatives

    Piggy Bank - Banking Alternatives - Connert Media
    Banking Alternatives

    In this age of big banks, there may be some alternatives you wish to explore.

    • IGO Banking – Online banking with iGObanking® is the simplest, smartest way to actively control your money. Whether you open a high interest checking or savings account online, or invest in a high yield CD, iGObanking gives you online banking convenience and a competitive return on your investment.
    • Varo Banking – Bank fees and low rates make saving harder than it has to be. With no fees, high rates, and auto-savings tools, we make saving easy.

  • ‘Moscow Mitch’ is Tagged as He Gives Thumbs Down on Election Security

    “So long as the Senate Republicans prevent legislation from reaching the floor, so long as they oppose additional appropriations to the states, so long as they malign election security provisions as, quote, partisan wish lists, the critics are right to say Leader McConnell and Republican senators are blocking election security,” Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, said on the floor Tuesday.[July 30, 2019] 10

    New pressure on the top Republican in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, who blocked a series of elections security bills despite warnings from Bob Mueller and American intelligence that Russia is still at it. McConnell is furious with his new ‘Moscow Mitch’ nickname as progressive groups put up billboards in McConnell’s home state of Kentucky showing McConnell in a Russian military uniform. Senator Richard Blumenthal and Malcom Nance, a former counter-intelligence operative in the U-S military join The Beat. 11