TV Stations' 'Fake News' Scrutinized

The Federal Communications Commission has mailed letters to the owners of 77 television stations inquiring about their use of video news releases, a type of programming critics refer to as "fake news."

Video news releases are packaged news stories that usually employ actors to portray reporters who are paid by commercial or government groups.

The letters were sparked by allegations that television stations have been airing the videos as part of their news programs without telling viewers who paid for them.

FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein said Tuesday the letters ask station managers for information regarding agreements between the stations and the creators of the news releases. The FCC also asked whether there was any "consideration" given to the stations in return for airing the material.

"You can't tell any more the difference between what's propaganda and what's news," Adelstein said.

The probe was sparked by a study of newsroom use of material provided by public relations firms. The study, entitled "Fake TV News: Widespread and Undisclosed," was compiled by the Center for Media and Democracy, a Madison, Wis.-based nonprofit organization that monitors the public relations industry.

When stations air video news releases, they are required to disclose to viewers "the nature, source and sponsorship of the material that they are viewing," according to the FCC.

The rules were prompted by payola scandals of the past, in which broadcasters accepted money from companies to hype their products without labeling the effort as advertising.

Diane Farsetta, senior researcher with the Center for Media and Democracy and co-author of the study, said that did not appear to be the case in the study but that "the main reason is economy. These are free stories that are given to stations that are continually under-resourced."

Farsetta said despite the publicity, stations are continuing to air releases without disclosure.

Stations that received the letters have been given 60 days to respond. If the FCC decides they have violated the rules, punishment could include fines or license revocation.

[long_rider]

I know news when I hear it; I haven't heard any news from an American news station for years. I have to go to the BBC, or PBS for real news.

American news is nothing more than opinions, or paid commercials.

Sure wish we had Walter Cronkite back, there is a real reporter. Now we have clowns, introduced as reporters. The American news media has little or no creditability.

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that our news is controled by big business policies.

This opinion is intended to be both "fair and balanced".

[ridedog007-2009]

Can I tell the difference? Yes, that I see, feel and touch is news. If it's on TV, the radio or from the bushwhacker admin, I know instantly it's a bowl of hot *** served by the repukes. And the demowimps just eat it up - too spineless and too stupid, what a great country!

[ugugug1]

Public opinion does have an effect. If you object to a news program or company product send an email or a letter telling them what you think. Let them know specifically why you have decided to BOYCOTT the local station, cable network, etc. THEN contact their ADVERTISERS telling them you will boycott their products. I used to work in advertising - even ONE COMPLAINT has a huge effect. If everyone did this routinely there would be changes. Do you want to gripe or get something done?

[memartin_48]

Why would it come as a surprise to anyone that the large broadcasting networks are basically ******? Their interest is in the bottom line, and if adulterated or downright phony news enhances that bottom line, they see no problem.

We will see more of this as the bigger fish acquire the smaller fish and there is less competition and motivation for honesty. I have little faith in the FCC to bring resolution to this since they're part of the original problem.

[fredjohnson2]

Drug companies are the most blatant offenders of this problem. News agencies have sold their souls to the devil for cash. This has helped make a drug-dependent society on the brink of self-destruction. Just what the drug companies want. The road out of this mess is that the FCC start working for the taxpayers and force news agencies and drug companies to be honest for once. Who am I kidding though. The FCC has been payed off by the 2 industries for quite some time now, so I don't think anything will come of this.

[mjvpi]

Ted Turner blew it when he sold out to Time Warner. He showed everyone that HARD NEWS could be very popular. CNN and Headline news are a joke. They report on what is going to be on TV for God's sakes! 24 hour "Good Morning America". I agree that there is no consistantly good investigative journalism on television, save Democracy Now. Political polls are covered like horse races. Give the people the hard facts on issues and let us figure out what they mean. Democracy doesn't work if the public is intellecutally lazy. Fox, CNN etc. are "enablers". Don't put on pundants who argue like my children. Give us more information than you think we can handle.

[fredjohnson2]

Well, it's about time!

[cowens21]

Fake news, they must be talking about FAUX News, from start to finish FOX news makes up their facts.

[dmorrispe]

There is too much bias, opinion, editorializing, and spin-doctoring in the news already without sneaking in suspect "news" about products, campaigns, positions, etc.

CBS, unfortunately, is amongst the worst when it comes to biased, opinionated broadcasting, and folks like Dan Rather made a career of it, until even he couldn't get away with it any longer.

Reporting is supposed to be just that: a report of what transpired. Like Joe Friday of Dragnet always said: "Just the facts, Ma'am." There is no purpose for melodramatic pictures, gore, and other emotional hooks except to sway the public's opinion.