Now, public relations firms are beginning to buy a form of malpractice insurance to protect themselves against lawsuits alleging bad advice or even fallout from a poorly worded press release.

In an era of corporate scandal and federal investigations into fraud and misleading financial information, corporations are working hard to improve their images with the public and spending big money on public relations agencies to help massage their public image.

But some companies are finding that the wrong message can get them sued or even prosecuted by the federal government.

One case two years ago sent shivers through the public relations industry when Nike was taken to court because it released press statements defending its reputation against charges of mistreating overseas workers.

The press releases were accused of being false advertising. The case served as a wake-up call to public relations firms that send out press releases every day.

"It's really scary if by just sending out a press release, an attorney can sue you for false advertising," said Jon Pushkin, president of the Public Relations Society of America in Colorado and owner of Pushkin Public Relations.

The case raised questions within the industry as to what PR agencies could be liable for, such as dispensing bad advice to a client or releasing inaccurate information provided by the client.

So, in the past few years, larger public relations firms, such as Denver-based Schenkein, have purchased Errors & Omissions, or E&O insurance, in addition to traditional general liability insurance to guard against expensive lawsuits.

"It's a good thing in that it means public relations is being recognized with more respect as a professional service, but with that comes some inherent risks.

Fox News' "Your World with Neil Cavuto" * Fox News' "Your World with Neil Cavuto" features interviews with top Wall Street CEOs, and Washington newsmakers. It is a fast paced look at business conditions and the people who lead the way. Michele Nunes (212) 301-3277, Pam Ritter (212) 212) 301-3828, and Amanda Gershkowitz are producers, with Gresham Strigel (212) 301-3191, a senior producer. There are a number of ways to contact the show, although the station suggests an E-mail to: cavuto@foxnews.com. Their Fax number is (212) 301-5091. E-mail can be sent to the producers with the formula of:firstname.lastname@foxnews.com.

HBO's "RealTime with Bill Maher" *HBO's "RealTime with Bill Maher" features the always irreverent Bill Maher, who takes pleasure in discussing the big issues of the day with five equally opinionated guests, some of whom are in the studio, and some interviewed by satellite. The show uses guests who are personalities in the news, including comedians, actors, authors, sports figures, TV stars who have opinions, writers, editors, and others who are noteworthy and who can think on their feet. The producers are Bill Maher, Brad Grey, and Marc Gurvitz. Send them suggestions at Real Time with Bill Maher, CBS TV City, 7800 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036, (323) 575-7700; Fax: (323) 575-7750. The show is currently on hiatus, returning in July.

PBS' "Washington Week" * "Washington Week" is the longest running public affairs program on PBS. The show first aired locally on WETA on February 23, 1967. The show features a group of journalists who participate in round table discussions of major news events, and is carried by 90 per cent of the 306 PBS stations around the country. The current moderator and managing editor is Gwen Ifil. The senior producer is Christina McHenry; Jeff Bieber is the executive producer. They are reached at WETA-TV, 2775 So. Quincy St., Arlington, VA 22206, (703) 998-1800.

Phil Lempert is The Supermarket Guru who does TV and radio news, newspaper columns, is an author, consumerologist, food marketing expert. Lempert has gained acclaim for his savvy and experience in the food industry. Currently he is the food trends editor and correspondent for NBC Today Show, reporting on consumer trends, food safety, money saving tips and showcasing new products. Lempert has appeared on such network shows as Oprah, 20/20, The View, and on CNN, CNBC, and MSNBC. He also makes appearances on local TV morning and news programs around the country. He also has the SupermarketGuru.com, which is a Web Site, which features stories about the foods that we eat, the stores we shop in and issues important to our general well being. Reach Lempert at SupermarketGuru.com, 3015 Main St., Ste. 320, Santa Monica, CA 90405, (323) 860-3070; plempert@supermarketguru.com.

From Africa, With Love chronicles the biography of a young man born in the African savannah to a single mother. He grows up poor but proud of the high morals he learns from his grandparents. The death of his beloved Grand Pa Michael is the turning point of his young life as he is moved abroad to live with a hopeless 'stepfather'. He rejects this new environment, which tortures his conscience and transfers from one school to another. Despite all odds, Herman graduates from St. Paul's High School in summer 1976, and goes on to work at a tobacco company to earn money for college. He struggles hard and is rescued by his favorite Uncle Ivo, who sends him overseas where he focuses on education and excels.

Like Riding a Bike in the Sand by Bill Whitten - now available in stores.

At the height of the Great Depression, the United States had about 15 million unemployed workers. People were forced to migrate from state to state looking for enough work to feed themselves and their families. The Depression was felt in every part of the U.S., from big cities to small towns. People living in small towns found that surviving the Great Depression was the toughest fight of their lives.

"How to be Good", based on the book by the same name, recently sold. It was written by Nick Hornby. Another of his novels, "High Fidelity", was also made into a film starring the always entertaining John Cusack and the wacky Jack Black. Laura Ziskin will produce. Some of her most successful past projects include one of my personal favorites, "What About Bob?", as well as "Pretty Woman", "As Good As it Gets", and "Spiderman" 1 & 2.

I'm looking for a completed inspirational, character driven, drama script that is centered around a relationship issue (i.e. political, gay, racial, family etc.).

Budget range will not exceed 1 mil. WG and non-WG both welcome to submit.

We are looking for our first feature to do as Full Glass films. Some of our past credits include 'Max and Grace', 'A Perfect Fit' and 'Spy'.

Please email a logline followed by a synopsis (no attachments will be read) to: Development Info@fullglassfilms.com

Upcoming Screenwriting Contests

San Diego Film Festival Screenwriting Competition

• Prizes: Over $20,000 in cash and prizes
• Deadline: extended to August 1, 2004

Century City Film Festival Screenwriting Competition

• Prizes: $10,000+ in prizes
• Deadline: July 1, 2004

A.K.A. Shriekfest Horror/Science Fiction Screenwriting Contest

• Prizes: cash, product awards, and trophies
• Deadline: July 23, 2004

Oshun 55 Screenwriting Competition

• Prizes: over $4,000 in cash and prizes
• Deadline: July 30, 2004

Shia Labeouf
c/o Teresa Valente
Beverly Hecht Agency
12001 Ventura Place
Ste. 320
Studio City, CA 91604

Or c/o Jerry Sorrells
P.O. Box 327
Alexander, ND 58831

Khleo Thomas
QT Managment
P.O. Box 360587
Los Angeles, CA 90036

P.S.

This weekend we'll be adding a new page of celebrity requests to BLP so stay tuned. Alexis Bledel
c/o Warner Bros.
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522

Jeff Beck
c/o Epic / Sony Records
1801 Century Park West
Los Angeles, CA 90067