Media Digest 3/20/2009 Reuters, WSJ, NYTimes, FT, Bloomberg

According to Reuters, the House passed a bill that would tax AIG’s (AIG) and some other bonuses by 90%.

Reuters reports that the US gave auto suppliers a $5 billion lifeline.

Reuters says that it is too early to write off the dollar despite the Fed’s move.

Reuters reports that US jobless roll swelled to a record 5.47 million.

Reuters reports that GE (GE) sees a profit for its financial division but its number was below December views.

Reuters writes that HSBC (HBC), UBS (UBS), and Citigroup (C) made moves to improve their balance sheets.

Reuters reports that some rescued companies owe the US back taxes.

Reuters reports that the competition among online travel agencies is heating up.

Reuters writes that Bank of America (BAC) was involved in Merrill’s Q4 write-downs.

Reuters reports that the Fed may plan to keep lowering rates, but there will be a cost.

Reuters reports that the IBM (IBM) talks with Sun (JAVA) are not just about servers.

Reuters writes that the FTC plans to curb mortgage-lending abuses.

Reuters reports that Palm (PALM) said its Pre is on track as its revenue fell sharply last quarter.

Reuters reports that a debate is emerging in the US about privatizing assets.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apollo is thinking of taking a position in Charter Communications.

The Wall Street Journal writes that rating agencies will get a windfall from the government’s plan to put large sums of capital into the market.

The Wall Street Journal reports that mortgage rates are not likely to go much lower.

The Wall Street Journal writes that Cuomo has gotten lists of  Merrill employees who received bonuses.

The Wall Street Journal reports that travel spending sank sharply.

The Wall Street Journal says that the oil and gas rally may be overdone.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Wal-Mart (WMT) increased employee bonuses.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Turkey may take IMF money.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Cisco (CSCO) bought a video camera maker.

The Wall Street Journal reports that FedEx (FDX) will cut more expenses.

The Wall Street Journal reports that excess capacity is keeping pressure on the Fed.

The Wall Street Journal reports that a program to allow judges to alter mortgages has stalled.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the TALF debuted with three deals.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Citigroup (C) will reverse split its stock.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Australia is delaying two deals for China to buy into its mining industry.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Buick and Jaguar topped the new JDPower quality list.

The New York Times reports that federal employees knew about AIG bonuses weeks ago.

The New York Times reports that global drops in manufacturing are increasing quickly.

The FT reports that commodities surged on the Fed’s new debt purchasing plan.

The FT reports that the IMF is criticizing the US plan to stabilize markets.

Bloomberg reports that naked short sales may have helped to bring down Lehman.

Douglas A. McIntyre