12th Septmeber - 18th September
Each week McSpotlight will be updated on how the world's press has covered McLibel,
McDonald's and multinationals in general.
Big Issue; 2nd September 1996; UK
Adopt-A-Store network set up
Even with the outcome of the McLibel trial still undecided, anti-McDonald's
activists are setting up an 'Adopt-a-Store' network to continue distributing
the "What's Wrong With McDonald's?" leaflets that led to the libel trial in
the first place. The aim is to have a group of distributors tagging every
store in the country. The organisers have said they will continue with the
action whatever the decision in the trial of the McLibel Two.
Guardian; 18th September 1996; UK
Armies of the right
Conservative powers are unleashing a violent global
backlash against the green movement. Andrew Rowell on the alliance of
corporations and PR companies which is intent on stamping out grassroots
activism.
- .......The long-running McLibel case is an example of a SLAPP which
backfired, as two activists refused to be intimidated by McDonald's and
opted to defend themselves in court. The case is now seen as a PR disaster
for the company.
Arkangel; Autumn 1996; UK
Making Mincemeat of McDonald's
Last Week in the Media
22 August - 11 September - Mark Thomas' regular site to hang out: McSpotlight.
7 August - 21August - Big Mac in big trouble over late openings.
18 July - 6 August - Last year, 96% of Americans ate at
McDonald's; more than half the American population lives
within a three-minute drive of a McDonald's...
4 July - 17 July - How corporations are "flame-broiled"
on the Net.
27 June - 3 July - The second anniversary of the McLibel
Trial is celebrated in style.
20 June - 26 June - Squall reveals how McDonald's
is "gobbling the rainforests".
13 June - 19 June - The New Statesman runs a very
positive article on McSpotlight
30 May - 12 June - McDonald's 'used police sources' in
McLibel case, reports the Independent
23 May - 29 May - Red Pepper exposes Japanese racist myths
about 'healthy' McDonald's food
16 May - 22 May - A quiet week: 'An American Cowboy in
London' profiles McLibel witness Howard Lyman
9 May - 15 May - 'McMyths about McJobs': Strange
Spectator article defends low-paid work for young people
2 May - 8 May - Busy week, with McLibel featured on
satirical TV show and analysis of McDonald's stranglehold over the UK
24 April - 1 May - Highlight of the week: George Monbiot's
Guardian on the absurdities of Britain's libel laws
16 April - 23 April - Howard Lyman causes a storm on the
Oprah Winfrey Show when Oprah pledges to give up burgers
5 April - 15 April - A quiet week, but with interesting
legal analysis from Legal Action
16 March - 4 April - The BSE in beef crisis explodes, the
media is saturated with McDonald's decision to ban British beef
9 March - 15 March - Sensational five-page colour feature
in the UK's Guardian Weekend on the McLibel Trial and McSpotlight
2 March - 8 March - The world's press takes an interest in
McSpotlight - articles in USA Today, Observer and Legal Action
24 February - 1 March - Lots of mentions for McLibel.
McSpotlight makes 'Global Hero' for March 1996
17 - 23 February - Great headlines, media people: 'Big
Mac's Critics Connect On Line', 'Burger Giant Under McSpotlight'...
11 - 16 February - Our first week - not much press. Little
did they know...
Other This Weeks
