Flack Attack

In this issue of PR Watch, we bring you several excerpts from the Center for Media and Democracy’s groundbreaking report, “Fake TV News: Widespread and Undisclosed.” Co-authored by CMD Senior Researcher Diane Farsetta and Research Consultant Daniel Price and released in early April, the report documents television stations’ use of video news releases (VNRs), “news” segments funded by and scripted for paying clients.

In late May, Federal Communications Commission Chair Kevin Martin ordered an investigation of the TV stations that CMD documented airing VNRs. According to Bloomberg News, the FCC could fine stations up to $32,500 per undisclosed VNR. “If the investigation leads to significant fines, the FCC could cause stations to put disclosures in place that make clearer the corporate role in local news,” media analyst Blair Levin told Bloomberg. Check www.prwatch.org for updates.

Of course, scandals aren’t only plaguing TV stations; they seem to emanate out of Washington DC on an almost-weekly basis. This issue of PR Watch also features an introduction to CMD’s new project, Congresspedia. Congresspedia Editor and new CMD staffer Conor Kenny explains the goals of the website, which features articles on members of Congress, major legislation, and ongoing controversies. Like SourceWatch (which houses the new project), Congresspedia is a wiki-based collaborative website, so you can join in the muckraking fun!

Lastly, CMD is expanding to more rapidly and effectively expose the media deceptions that all too often stifle democracy and stymie progressive social change. In addition to Conor, we’ve welcomed Associate Director Judith Siers-Poisson, Office and Outreach Manager Sari Williams, and Research Analyst Jonathan Rosenblum over the past several months. We also recently bid a fond farewell to former PR Watch Editor Laura Miller, and thank her for her many contributions during her six years at CMD.