Hiding images of one of Phelps wins?

He did it. Michael Phelps lived up to the media's hype and was able to nab eight gold medals.

The pressure that was put on him by the news media was incredible. Sure, no one had ever accomplished the feat before, but what if he had gotten eight golds and one silver? Still amazing and possibly true.

An article released Saturday, claims that swim officials are withholding the images of the Olympic men's 100 butterfly finish. I'm not sure if you caught the race, but it was so close that it was hard to tell. Phelps was declared the winner over Milorad Cavic by one-hundredth of a second.

Could it be that it was close enough that they could swing the win Phelps way and no one would question it? Was it to keep Phelps Olympic quest for eight gold medals alive?

Facebook Beacon violates several laws

A husband plans, researches and buys the perfect Christmas gift for his wife.

He can't wait to surprise her. Instead, all was ruined when a message was displayed on his Facebook news feed stating, "Sean Lane bought a 14K White Gold 1/5 ct Diamond Eternity Flower Ring from overstock.com." The news feed is able to be read by anyone looking at his Facebook site, including his wife.

According to an article, a group of irked Facebook members filed a class-action lawsuit against Facebook Tuesday that said the company's controversial Beacon advertising program violates several laws, including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), and the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA).

I don't understand why Facebook would take such risks and want to be a part of publishing sometimes private information. Were they just hoping that all Facebook members would be happy with the postings? Were they seeing how much more traffic those postings would bring and hope they would offset the negative feedback?

Facebook has not yet commented on the lawsuit, but it will be interesting to hear what they have to say.

Fake fireworks fly over Beijing

Were you able to watch the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics?

If you were, most likely you were watching it on your television from the comforts of your couch, which can't even come close to watching the fireworks live in Beijing.

Well according to an article, NBC added fake fireworks and didn't exactly show the event live. Does it really matter? Is it really that big of a deal if it made watching the ceremonies that much more spectacular?

Movies have digital effects. Television shows have enhancements. I guess I don't understand why making a televised show more visually interesting would cause this much debate.

Crime stories without information

Someone may have been arrested somewhere in town after a store may have been robbed.

Can you imagine reading headlines or stories with no actual information? It happened recently in Buffalo, NY when the Buffalo Police Department removed important crime information from a database that reporters have access to.

I don't understand the reason behind police wanting to hide information, especially in regards to crimes, from the public. Police are supposed to protect and inform citizens in whatever way they deem possible.

In the article, David J. Krajicek, a longtime police reporter, gave his feedback on the situation. “The five W’s and the H are questions that police reporters have been asking for 200 years or more,” he said. “For the Buffalo police to deny those answers runs counter to every trend that has been happening in law enforcement.”

The mayor of Buffalo indicated that he had not been aware of the situation, but as soon as it was brought to his attention, he ordered the police to restore the information.

End of Nancy Grace

I am not a fan of Nancy Grace. I find her highly offensive, rude and downright evil.

It just so happens that the end of her career could be near. A family is suing Grace for being responsible for their daughter's suicide.

Melinda Duckett was 21 at the time she appeared on Grace's CNN show. She was a young mother trying to find her missing son.

Grace accusingly questioned Duckett as if she were the one responsible for the missing boy.

In the article, it states that CNN and Grace argued that the wrongful death lawsuit brought by Melinda Duckett's family would "severely chill" journalists' coverage of missing-persons cases.

Even after hearing the argument, the judge has refused to dismiss the lawsuit.

Not all journalists treat guests in such a harsh and accusing manner as Grace does. I can only hope that soon, I no longer have to flip through the channels and see her.

Russert replacing Russert?

When I first read that Russert would be named NBC news reporter I thought I must have been reading an old article. Was Tim Russert coming back from the dead?

Sure I knew Russert had a son, Luke, but I also knew I had read that he recently had graduated. Was he ready to be a news reporter for a major station at such a young, inexperienced age?

In the article, it says that Luke Russert had extensive media experience. Was one appearance on "Larry King Live" and a being a co-host for an XM radio show enough?

I don't doubt that Russert will do a good job, but his father passing away was what opened the door for him. We will soon see how long the network keeps him around.

Sex sells news.

What will newspapers do to keep readers interested in the news?

The Sun, one of the most circulated daily tabloids, has an idea it thinks will work. A 21-year-old model named Keeley Hazell. According to a recent article, Hazell will be a downloadable widget, dressed in lingerie, sharing the latest news.

A quote from the article states that Ben Hughes, head of digital marketing at News Group Media, said, "We combined the latest technology, great Sun content and Britain's favourite Page 3 girl to offer our readers a product which leaves our rivals standing."

The Sun is published in the United Kingdom, but I am sure that it will soon be taking American males by storm. Wonder what American newspaper will follow in their footsteps? I'm sure it won't be long.