Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Remembering Joan Rivers and Breaking Up with Football
For years, small businesses have complained that the website Yelp manipulates their reviews based on whether or not they purchase ad space on the site. A group of them finally sued, and yesterday a federal appeals court ruled against them. What are the implications of the decision, and how much power does Yelp have in determining which businesses succeed?
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenYesterday, a federal appeals court ruled against a group of businesses who’d sued the website Yelp. The business owners claim that the consumer-rating site manipulates its reviews to favor businesses that purchase ads. What are the implications of the decision, and how much power does Yelp have in the market? We also hear from writer Steve Almond about his transformation from sportswriter and football superfan to anti-football advocate. In our weekly film segment, it’s all about the buzziest movies on the festival circuit, which is in full swing right now. Finally, remember Joan Rivers with one of the filmmakers behind the 2010 documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work.
Banner Image: Joan Rivers, who passed away on Thursday, September 5th 2014. Credit: David Shankbone
