A Reporter in Hand Is Worth Two in the Bush

Florida freelance television reporter Mike Vasilinda's public relations firm "has earned more than $100,000 over the past four years through contracts with Gov. Jeb Bush's office, the Secretary of State, the Department of Education and other government entities that are routinely part of Vasilinda's stories," while those stories aired on CNN and Florida NBC affiliates. Mike Vasilinda Productions has also worked on political campaigns. Vasilinda rejected comparisons to Armstrong Williams, "because he has not personally promoted any government programs or appeared in any of the videos his business produced." Journalism professor Bob Steele said the arrangement "certainly raises some red flags."