"The U.S. State Department has set up a rapid-response office dedicated to countering international news reports about the U.S.

The economy is booming in the Arab emirate of Dubai, and so is the public relations industry. "Someone recently remarked that anyone who could rent a space at Dubai Media City was opening a PR agency," jokes John Badenhorst, director-in-charge at Landmark PR & Events.

"CBS affiliate WUSA-TV was charging the [Washington] DC government as much as $100,000 annually to promote breast cancer awareness during newscasts." From 2002 to 2004, anchors at the Gannett-owned station were required to encourage viewers to go to the station's website for information about breast cancer - next to a banner ad for the city's Human Services Department. Through their "Buddy Check 9" program, the TV station also encouraged viewers to remind women friends or family members to perform self-exams for breast cancer.