MEDIA NOTES

Two Groups Seek to Block Westinghouse Purchase of CBS The planned sale of CBS is coming under attack by two groups contending that buyer Westinghouse has done a poor job airing children's programs. The United Church of Christ and the Center for Media Education have asked the Federal Communications Commission to block the sale. The challenge could delay the sale and make the deal vulnerable to a competing bid. Westinghouse spokesman Gil Schwartz defended the company's record: ''We find it somewhat ironic that children's programming is the basis of the challenge against Westinghouse and CBS, since we believe our historic commitments place us at the top of the industry,'' he said. CBS declined comment. Jeff Chester, executive director of the Center for Media Education, said the groups want the FCC to develop a ''social contract'' between Westinghouse and the public that would require the company to air more programs to meet the educational needs of children and to provide more air time for political candidates. By law, TV broadcasters are required to put on programs that serve the educational and information needs of children. Westinghouse and CBS officials said they comply with those obligations and are not aware of any complaints against them at the FCC involving programming for children. Judge Ito fines AP photographer JUDGE LANCE ITO fined an Associated Press photographer $250 for taking a test picture in court before the O.J. Simpson trial resumed Sept. 8. Reed Saxon, acting as one of the pool photographers for the day, was taking a test photo from a remote-controlled camera. (See photo, left.) Judge Ito said Mr. Saxon failed to notify the court of his plans. Ito told media attorney Kelli Sager that pool photographers have been told what pictures they cannot take. ''I was here out on the bench, clearing items, getting set up, getting my computers running, making my notes, and I hear the camera go off, and I look and I see it directed at me,'' Ito said. ''That's a direct violation of my order.'' Ms. Sager told the judge there was a misunderstanding and explained that Saxon was focusing on a wall, not the judge. She relayed Saxon's apology and said no future unauthorized photographs would be taken. No use was made of the test photo. Ito instructed Saxon to take a picture of a courtroom clock during his next test. Atlanta '96: Lots of reporters with no place to work ATLANTA officials are trying to find office space for as many as 10,000 journalists who will be without official credentials during the 1996 Olympics. An additional 15,000 journalists expected for the Games will have official passes and workspace provided by the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games.