A group of companies accused of operating toll-free numbers similar to those used by consumers to vote for "American Idol" performers has agreed to pay a $40,000 civil penalty to settle fraud charges, the Federal Trade Commission said.

Time Warner on Friday struck down persistent speculation in the New York Post that the company was contemplating selling its troubled America Online unit to Microsoft.

In a speech to student journalists over the weekend. The New York Times publisher talks Jayson Blair, boosted another reporter whose sources have been questioned and said that he'd like to buy a TV station in Wilmington, N.C., to pair with its newspaper there. "My master plan is to buy out Rupert Murdoch," he joked. "That's not likely to happen."

One of Hollywood's leading talent management companies, The Firm, merged Thursday with an entertainment marketing company led by Rich Frank, a veteran Hollywood executive.

J.J. Jackson, a longtime disc jockey on Los Angeles radio who is best known for his role as one of the first hosts on MTV when it launched in 1981, has died due to a heart attack.

An investigation by a team of journalists has found that a former USA Today reporter "fabricated substantial portions of at least eight major stories, lifted nearly two dozen quotes or other material from competing publications, lied in speeches he gave for the newsapper and conspired to mislead those investigating his work," the newspaper said in a story it published today.

The Federal Communications Commission said Thursday that U2 lead singer Bono was "indecent and profane" when he spoke off-the-cuff at the Golden Globes, but no one -- least of all NBC -- will face fines because of the remark.

Donald Trump, flush from the success of "The Apprentice" this season, is trying to trademark a famous phrase from his NBC reality series: "You're fired." Why? Probably for the commercial aspects, experts say. Will it be successful? Maybe, maybe not.

When Air America Radio goes on the air March 31, liberals will have the talk radio voice they've so long craved. But maybe they already have it: Isn't Howard Stern bashing Bush too?

Let's make it clear at the start: Martha Stewart has never been a feminist icon. While we may like her K-Mart paints or appreciate some of her suggestions for décor, she's never made the short list for Ms. Woman of the Year. It doesn't mean we don't consider her a feminist - we have no idea what Ms. Stewart calls herself - it's just that domestic perfection hasn't been one of our top priorities.