Every hour, every day

Ever since the US military spoke about the “CNN effect” during the first Gulf War we have become increasingly attached to 24 hour rolling news.

Whether you are a 24 hour-a-day TV news junkie or just someone who skims across the internet before leaving work, the fact is our information gathering has changed forever.

Advanced technology means that the days of the nation all sitting down together at 6 o’clock to watch the same news programme is over; something that says a lot about how society has changed since we were all kids.

But does the increased choice of sources actually improve the quality of news content that comes our way?

Unfortunately the rush to be the first to get the story on their news platforms usually means that the days of assiduous fact checking and journalistic reflection have been subordinated to the war for ratings; journalists are finding themselves under increasing pressure to deliver the goods at high speed.

On the other hand you can argue that the plurality of information sources has increased the flow of information around the world to places that were previously denied access to news, Burma and China being a good case in point.

Ultimately, although having lots of choice can expose us to hearsay and speculation, it also makes our ability to decipher the truth more sophisticated, and that has to be a positive factor.

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Top Five Oscar Moments:

The red carpet has been rolled up and the fifty thousand pound frocks have retreated back into the walk-in wardrobes. 2009’s Academy Awards were a typically overblown affair, and ultimately Slumdog Millionaire emerged from them as the clear victor.

But in the clear light of day, just what have been the most memorable of all Oscar moments? Here’s a quick list:

1. Roberto Benigni accepts the Oscar for Life is Beautiful [video]

“Thank you! This is a moment of joy and I want to kiss everybody, the makers of the joy.”

2. Halle Berry wins Best Actress in 2002 - [video]

This moment is so much bigger than me. This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It’s for the women that stand beside me, Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox. And it’s for every nameless, faceless woman of colour that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened. Thank you. I’m so honoured. I’m so honoured. And I thank the Academy for choosing me to be the vessel for which His blessing might flow. Thank you.

3. Marlon Brando’s protest in 1973

I think awards in this country at this time are inappropriate to be received or given until the condition of the American Indian is drastically altered. If we are not our brother’s keeper, at least let us not be his executioner.

4. Michael Moore’s controversial acceptance speech after winning the Oscar for Bowling for Columbine - [video]

I have invited my fellow documentary nominees on the stage with us, and we would like to — they’re here in solidarity with me because we like nonfiction. We like nonfiction and we live in fictitious times. We live in the time where we have fictitious election results that elects a fictitious president. We live in a time where we have a man sending us to war for fictitious reasons. Whether it’s the fiction of duct tape or fiction of orange alerts we are against this war, Mr. Bush. Shame on you, Mr. Bush, shame on you. And any time you got the Pope and the Dixie Chicks against you, your time is up. Thank you very much.

5. Charlie Chaplin receives the longest standing ovation in the award’s history - [video]

(For the latest film news, reviews and showing times - visit Sky Movies: the ultimate digital channel is now in HD)

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Anthony Pearce takes a breezy look at Sky HD

You can now enjoy the UK’s widest selection of high definition programmes with Sky+ HD. The Sky HD Pack has 31 HD Channels available: the largest selection by any HD TV Provider in the UK by some way.

Sky+ HD really brings entertainment to life offering up to 4 times better picture detail with superb colours and sound. You can enjoy everything from Sports and Movies, to Documentaries and Dramas.

If you’re into James Bond then make sure you don’t miss The Bond HD Weekend on Sky Movies HD starting on Friday 27th March.

Also coming in March on National Geographic HD is Kingdom of the Blue Whale which sees the best Blue Whales Scientists attempt to find and tag California Blue Whales.

If you’re more into your sports, then there is plenty to get your teeth into. England look to fight back in the Caribbean and the Champions League enters the later stages.

The 31 Sky+ HD Channels include:

Sky 1 HD, Sky Sports HD, EuroSport HD, Sky Movies HD, Discovery HD, National Geographic HD, History HD, MTV HD, SciFi HD, Disney Channel HD, Bio HD, BBC HD, 4HD

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Image Credit: James Jordan

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Our rugby correspondant Anthony Pearce casts his verdict over the weekend’s Six Nations clash

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Ireland remains the only side that can win the Grand Slam in this year’s Six Nations Championship, following their narrow 14-13 win over England and the Welsh defeat in Paris.

In truth the score line wasn’t a fair reflection on a match which the Irish never really looked like liked loosing once Brian O’Driscoll had hit a superb drop goal shortly after half time.

The first half wasn’t much to write home about. One penalty a piece meant the sides were level going into the break. The Irish must have felt slightly aggrieved at not being ahead however, with O’Gara flashing two penalty goal attempts wide before converting third time around.

Ireland raised their game in the second half, and O’Gara hit the post with another penalty attempt before Brian O’Driscoll stepped up to earn his Man of the Match award. First he hit a delightful drop goal, then he powered over from close range for the first try of the match to make it 11-3.

English discipline, or lack of, again came into question with former captain Phil Vickery and scrum half Danny Care both spending time in the sin bin during the second half.

England did manage to reduce the deficit to 11-6 with a penalty from Armitage, only to see O’Gara respond with a penalty of his own shortly afterwards, maintaining the eight point advantage.

This proved vital as England gave their travelling support something to cheer about when Mike Tindall made a great break and eventually set up Andy Goode who delicately chipped the ball over the Irish defence for Armitage to touch down. Armitage then dusted himself down to convert his own try and make it 14-13.

However, with only 60 seconds left the Irish held out for a well deserved victory which keeps them on course for the Grand Slam. England Coach Martin Johnson, however, must be wondering what his team could achieve if all 15 players remained on the pitch for the full 80 minutes.

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Image credit: Woesinger

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We all know who they are. United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. They’re the four princes of English football: they’re the teams that share the spoils; they’re the fats cats with the big players and money spilling out of their pockets. But could this football season be different?

Many rivals have tried to supplant them. Tottenham and Newcastle are two notable examples, who between them have spent hundreds of millions of pounds on new players, fresh management teams and global scouting networks. But it hasn’t worked. The last team to break the monopoly of the ‘big four’ in the Premier League is Everton, and that was way back in 2005.

This year things look a little different. Here’s a snapshot of the Premier League table as we approach the end of February:

The obvious question is can Aston Villa maintain their position amongst the top four for another twelve games? Currently they are sat six points clear of Arsenal, and with thirty six points left there is a very good chance that things could change.

But the Aston Villa manager, Martin O’Neill, has slowly built a strong, committed team at Villa Park. The acquisition of Ashley Young may be his biggest success, but of equal note is the resurgence of players such as Martin Laursen and Gareth Barry and the emergence of others like Gabriel Agbonglahor and Curtis Davies.

But Arsenal are no dropouts. With Emmanuel Adebayor, Eduardo, Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott on the verge of a return to the first team, and with the purchase of Andrei Arshavin – their fans can rightly expect an upturn in fortunes. The race for the Champions League could just be about to heat up.

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Who do you think is going to make it? Keep abreast of all the latest developments online and on digital television with Sky Sports and Sky Sports News.
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Lead image credit: Gordon Flood

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10 Reasons Why February could be the perfect time to switch to Sky HD:

• Sky are now offering the cheapest ever price for their Sky+ service. A Sky+ Box is available for Free

• There are more channels than ever: Sky Movies HD, Sky Box Office HD, BBC HD and Channel 4 HD are some of the best.

• Sky offers the best coverage of The Ashes cricket tussle between England and Australia.

• Sky are currently offering a FREE £30 M&S voucher for new customers.

• Get a Sky Bundle and receive FREE weekend and evening calls.

• Get Free Sky+ with Free installation .

• Enjoy up to four times better picture quality, with superb Dolby sound.

• Set up your own home cinema with Sky Movies’ 12 film channels.

• Be the first to see the fourth season of Prison Break on Sky One

• Get closer to the action than ever before with Sky Sports HD as the Premier League comes to the crunch.

Learn more about Sky HD !

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* Lead image credit: Coda

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Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur

This weekend sees the giants of Manchester United take on Championship minnows Spurs in the League Cup Final.

Harry Redknapp insists that they are not interested in this match as they are concentrating on the league. This is surely mind games as a bit of gleaming silverwear would provide a fantastic silver lining and possibly motivation, for what has been a very grey season so far.

Tottenham and Redknapp are definitely capable. With Pompey last season, Redknapp enjoyed FA cup glory and beat the Champions in the Semis.

United also will be dying to win the match, as they chase a historic 5 trophies. They must also be favourites being a massive 34 points beyond Spurs in the Premiership.

Some other interesting facts:

• Manchester United have only won the League Cup twice. Liverpool are the most successful club having lifted the trophy 7 times
• The cup has had many names: Milk Cup, Littlewoods Cup, Rubelows Cup, Coca-Cola Cup, Worthington Cup and finally Carling Cup
• Geoff Hurst scored 49 League Cup goals – 43 for West Ham and 6 for Stoke City

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Sky will be broadcasting the Carling Cup final live on Sky Sports this weekend.

Lead image credit: Image Shack

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The next weeks see the remergence of Europe’s premier football competition after it’s cutomary winter absence. Here are the week’s forthcoming games:

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