2A - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, September 8, 1999 NATION/WORLD Viacom acquiring BS for $36B NEW YORK (AP) - Viacom Inc. is buying CBS Corp. in the richest media merger in history - a S36 billion deal that combines the owner of hip properties like MTV and VHI with the old-line network that brought you "60 Minutes" and "Murder, She Wrote." CBS, which changed hands just four years ago when it was bought by Westinghouse Electric Corp., will now become part of a radio, TV and film powerhouse to rival conglomerates like Time grner Inc. and Walt Disney Co. 4 Viacom will own last season's top-rated TV net- work, as well as Paramount Studios, MTV, VH 1, N4ickelodeon and the Simon & Schuster publishing house. g The new company will be called Viacom, but the 'BS name -- which carries the legacy of Walter 'Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow - will remain on tjie network. "We will be global leaders in every facet of the ,edia and entertainment industry, financially strong from day one, with an enviable stable of global brands," said Viacom Chair Sumner Redstone. Redstone will be chair and chief executive of the new entity, but CBS management will have a major -role. CBS President Mel Karmazin will be presi- dent and chief operating officer, becoming heir apparent to Redstone. Analysts praised the deal as a good fit. CBS will -et a TV and film studio to provide shows for its anetwork, while Viacom gains major advertising out- lets to promote the films and shows produced by Paramount and its Spelling Entertainment TV stu- dio. "It's a good deal for everybody," said Chris Dixon, a media analyst at PaineWebber Inc. "You need to be big. You need to have a global presence. While many of Viacom's properties have catered to a youthful audience, CBS has been successful with older viewers who are attracted to shows like "60 Minutes," "Diagnosis: Murder" "Touched by an Angel" and, before it went off the air a few years ago, "Murder, She Wrote." The deal faces some regulatory hurdles, but ana- lysts said they see no major problem. The company may have to sell some TV stations to meet federal ownership rules, and Viacom's half-interest in the struggling UPN network may have to be sold or folded into CBS because of a rule that bars a com- pany from owning more than one TV network. The deal would be the latest transformation of CBS, which was founded in 1927 and became known as the "Tiffany Network" under the leader- ship of William Paley. He was installed as leader of the fledgling broadcasting business when it was purchased in 1928 by his cigar-maker father, Sam. Media mogul Ted Turner pursued CBS before it was sold in 1995 to Westinghouse by Paley's suc- cessor, Laurence Tisch. Westinghouse shed its industrial and nuclear power businesses and took the CBS name. As it expanded into media, it acquired Infinity Broadcasting. which was led by Karmazin. The merger is the biggest in the media business since Disney's purchase of Capital Cities/ABC for a then-record $19 billion in 1996. Analysts said the deal had its roots in talks between the two companies about combining their TV stations. Many media companies have been talking about such deals since the Federal Communications Commission ruled last month that companies can own more than one TV station in the same city. The company that became Viacom was spun off from CBS in the 1970s because of government rules, which have since been repealed, that prevent- ed networks from owning their own programming. Since then, Viacom has grown into a major play- er in media and cable, forming the pay channel Showtime in 1978, acquiring MTV in 1986, and buying Blockbuster Video and Paramount in 1994. TV networks have increasingly been trying to cut programming costs by assuming ownership of the shows they air. Paramount Network Television produces eight shows that will air this fall, all but one of them already on CBS or UPN. The one exception is a lucrative property: NBC's hit come- dy "Frasier." Under terms of the deal, CBS shareholders will receive 1.085 shares of Viacom's class B stock. Shares of both companies, which have been run up over the past week on speculation that a deal was in the works, shot up even more after the announce- ment of the merger yesterday morning. AROUND THE NATION Cisneros pleads guilty to misdemeanor WASHINGTON - Former housing secretary Henry Cisneros pleaded guilty yesterday to a single misdemeanor charge, ending a four-year inves- tigation by an independent counsel into allegations that he lied to the FBI about money he paid to a former mistress. As part of his plea, Cisneros will pay a fine of S 10,000 but will not fa any jail time or probation. Cisneros was set to stand trial in U.S. District Court on Monday on 18 felony charges stemming from his relationship with ex-mistress Linda Jones. But instead of bringing in hundreds of potential jurors to hear the case, attorneys on both sides showed up with terms of a last-minute plea agreement that had Cisneros admitting to a misdemeanor charge that he had lied. The former HUD secretary and one-time mayor of San Antonio could have faced years in prison had he been convicted of the more serious charges. He also could have been barred from seeking elected office if con- victed of any felonies. The plea agreement, however, calls for no prison time and no probation and leaves open the possibility that Cisneros could retu* Michigan Book & Supply AA 2,8, Sp 2, Univ 4, Comm 5, Arts 2,6, News 20 Shaman Drum Bookstore Comm 4 Ulrich's News 7,8,12, Comm 8, Arts 8, Univ 2, AA 4,8, West Side Books Univ 10 Michigan League Programming Michigan Union Programs Museum of Art Parking & Transportation Pierpont Commons Problem Pregnancy Recycle Ann Arbor School of Music Students with Disabilities Student Workshop Telefund U Musical Society USAC News 24 News 11 Univ 5 Univ 7 Univ 4 News 12 Comm 3, Arts 10 Arts 3, 6 News 19 Arts 2 Univ 9 Univ 8 News 17 Ann Arbor PTO Thrift D.O.C. Mast Shoes Richardson's Optical Steve & Barry's University Sportswear Arts 10 News 16 Comm 4 Comm 4 News 5 Bethlehem United Church of Christ Campus Chapel Canterbury House Catholic Diocese of Lansing Chi Alpha First Congregational Church First Church of Christ First Presbyterian Church 25th Hour Deja Vu Grooveyard Herb David Guitar King's Keyboard Liberty St. Video Michigan Theatre Quality 16 Theatre SKR State Theatre Tower Records Underworld Comics News 17 Sports 6 Univ 7 Arts 7 News 19 Arts 9 Arts 8 Arts 7 Comm 4,Arts 7 Arts 6 News 7 Arts 9 First United Methodist Church Hillel Huron Hills Baptist Church International Student Ministry Lutheran Campus Ministry New Life Assembly of God Church Northside Presbyterian St. Aiden's Episcopal Church St. Andrew's Episcopal Church St. Luke's Lutheran Church St. Mary's Student Parish St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Temple Beth Emeth Trinity Lutheran Church University Lutheran Chapel Washtenaw Independent Bible Ch Wells Lutheran Campus Ministry Comm 7 Comm 6 Comm 6, Arts 8 News 9 News 17, Comm 6 Comm 7 Comm 7 Comm 7 Comm 6 News 9, Univ 2 Comm 6 News 17 News 24 Comm 7 Comm 6 Comm 6 Comm 7 Champion's Gym bhun-ma Taekwondo Peaceful Dragon nn Arbor Carpet Oragon's Lair bream On Futon $itchenport News 21 Sports 2 Univ 5 Comm Comm Comm Comm Comm Comm hurch Comm Comm LAWSUITS Continued from Page 1A needs to review information and cross examine witnesses. Terry Pell. senior legal counsel for CIR, said the introduction of intervening defendants into the cases will not sub- stantially affect the fundamental issue being challenged in the lawsuits - the constitutionality of race in college admissions. "Adding those issues will not subtract from the issue that is at the table," Pell said. In the interest of preventing further delay, Pell said CIR will not appeal the court's ruling. "We want to move forward," he said. Former U.S. President and University alum Gerald Ford supports the fight to preserve affirmative action. He wrote an opinion piece for the Aug. 8 edition of The New York Times backing the University's defense of its admissions policies. Ford wrote that an affirmative action "ban would scuttle Michigan's current system one that takes into account near- ly a dozen elements - race, economic standing, geographic origin, athletic and artistic achievement among them - to create the finest educational environ- ment for all students" IRWIN Continued from Page 1A ed to do this, he said. "It's important for students to get representation" in the community. "After all, we're a big part of it." Irwin said students and other citizens don't get as involved in city politics as they do in larger scale campaigns. For example, voter turnout typically is much higher during presidential election years than any others. The seasoned political activist said this fact is a little backward. "It's interesting that voter turnout is highest during presidential years because you can make the most difference in local elections," he said. "Every vote counts more. Ann Arbor City Council Member Elizabeth Daley (D-Ward V) said Irwin shouldn't worry about his opinions being undervalued just because of his age. "There's a lot of older people who sound like idiots whenever they open their mouth, Daley said. "You have to do your homework and listen to what people have to say - that's what counts the most.", Daley said it's important to see young people fight apathy and get involved in local politics. "The issues are so fascinating and so important," she said. "The sooner they can get involved and know their way around, the better it is." Josh Cowen, an LSA senior and pres- ident of the College Democrats University chapter, said Irwin's election was a victory for all students. "He's only 22 - and given his oppo- nents, it's great," Cowen said. "He really shocked them by the sheer number of votes he got. The students (in this dis- trict) are better represented." The new commissioner said he sup- ports a proposed millage increase that would allow the county to purchase more land for parks. Residents will vote on the increase in November. "This is an important measure," Irwin said. "The land available for purchase is rapidly decreasing and Ann Arbor's parks are one of the best parts of the city." Irwin also is part of a committee of tMartad r Anomm, tme mmhe usinQkro ARouNID THE d r,..L 7 to public office. City backs greater AIDS prevention SAN FRANCISCO - In the 1980s, the message health officials put out to the gay community was simple, straight- forward and effective: If you are going to have sex, use a condom, every time. "It was the old health education model," recalled Linda Fisher-Ponce, who was then an HIV counselor with the city of San Francisco. "Someone would stand in the front of the room with an easel and colored chalk and do a group session," Fisher-Ponse said. Health officials and AIDS activists agree that the message worked astonish- ingly well. Gay men radically altered their sexual behavior, and the rate of new HIV infections declined steeply. But here in the city that for so long has been ground zero in the fight against AIDS, it came as no surprise when stud- ies presented during a government-spon- sored forum on HIV prevention in Atlanta last week showed there has been a disturbing upsurge in risky sexual prac- tices among gay men. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged a greater emphasis on prevention. In San Francisco, AIDS organizations say it isn't easy to come up with effective messages for a gay community affected drastically by the AIDS crisis. Schools adopt stricter security WASHINGTON - After a sober- ing two years of school shootings, a growing number of school systems this fall has embraced measures designed to safeguard children against violence. In hundreds of school districto pupils must wear newly issued identW fication cards to get onto school grounds. Businesses that specialize in security cameras are working over- time to market, produce and install them. In Broward County, Fla., as in many communities, high school students at South Plantation High will no longt be able to leave the campus for lunch: Indonesia imposes use of Martialawv JAKARTA, Indonesia - With even the national police chief calling the situ- ation out of control, Indonesia imposed martial law in East Timor early yester- day, transferring power from the province's civilian governor to Jakarta's army generals. The declaration of martial law was seen as an attempt by the Jakarta govern- ment to impress the world that it was tak- ing steps to control the bloodletting. But it might not greatly affect the sit- uation on the ground because the province has, in effect, been under mili- tary control for 23 years and the Indonesian army itself is being held responsible by most Western diplomats for masterminding the violence. Indonesia's armed forces chief, Gen. Wiranto, had pushed for the declaration after a four-hour visit to East Timor on Sunday but was turned down Monday in a plenary Cabinet meeting. The fact that he got his way indicated the weakness of Jakarta's civilian gov- ernment and the strength of the military in internal affairs, diplomats said. On Monday marauding gangs of anti- independence militias took effective control of East Timor and its calpji forcing the United Nations to evatt half its staff and Dili's Roman Catbhlic bishop to flee for his life. Search continues for Greek quake victims ATHENS, Greece - Rescue teams and stunned residents used everything from cranes to garden tools yesterd to dig for those pinned under wrecks from the strongest earthquake to hit Athens in nearly a century - a 10-sec- ond shudder that claimed at least 30 lives and left close to 100 missing. The scenes of desperate searches and survivors too frightened to return indoors were sadly familiar - last month's mon- strous quake in neighboring Turkey had moved many Greeks to put aside their enmity with Turks and mobilize aid: - Compiled from Daily wire repoi* Arts 10 Arts 10 Univ 10 News 3 edam's Garden of Eden lffordable Computers Ann Arbor Stamp eriarwood Maill Qecker Drugs fantasy Attic Gala Hallmark 1. Friedman jewel Heart &Dhn Leidy Shops Main Party Store Pure Productions barah's Attic University Flower L of M Surplus Comm 2 News 21 Sports 8 News 10 News 18 Comm 10 News 9,11,16,17,24 Arts 6 Comm 10 Comm 4 News 24 News 20 AA 3 AA 5 Comm 10 Angelo's Argiero's Italian Restaurant Ashley's Bagel Factory BD's Mongolian BBQ Bennigan's Blimpy Burger China Gate Cottage Inn Daikalok De Long's Bar-B-Que Pit Dinersty Domino's Pizza Gallagher's Bar & Grill Grizzly Peak Jerusalem Garden Kai Garden Lonely Hearts Club Main Street Ventures Manali Cafe Mr. Greek's Coney Island Pizza House Rod's Diner Smoothie Time Sweet Lorraine's Tio's Mexican Cafe Touchdown Cafe Arts 4 Arts 4 Arts 4 News 7 AA 5 Comm 4 AA 5 AA 4 Arts 4 Comm 4, Univ 7 News 3 Arts 5 Arts 5 Sp 10 Arts 5, AA 4 AA 4 Arts 4 News 8 Sp 10 Arts 4 Arts 4 News 7, 10, Arts 4, AA 5, Sp 9 News 24 Comm 4 Arts 4 AA 4 AA 5, Sp 6 The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is published Monday through Friday during the fall and winter terms by students at the University of Michigan. 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