Glenn Beck's Gold Connections Come Under Scrutiny

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: The Media

(CBS)

Fox News personality Glenn Beck's tirades against the Obama administration and ominous warnings about the state of the economy have proven to be controversial in and of themselves.

In recent weeks, however, his economic commentary -- which includes endorsements for purchasing gold -- has come under scrutiny because of his financial ties to a gold retailer.

Goldline International, a company that sells gold coins, recently had to clarify to the Fox News network that Beck is not a "paid spokesman" for their company, the New York Times reports, even though he had been identified as such on the Goldline Web site. A senior executive for Fox told the Times that such an affiliation would have been "problematic without question."

Fox News reportedly released a statement offering its policy on the matter: "Fox News prohibits any on-air talent from endorsing products or serving as a product spokesperson."

Goldline told the Times that the company did not specifically pay Beck to speak on its behalf -- Goldline has merely been a longtime advertise on Beck's radio and television shows.

Another gold retailer, however, suggested to Politico that the industry does expect endorsements from on-air commentators: "You pay anybody on any network, and they say what you pay them to say," said Peter Epstein, president of Merit Financial Services, which advertises on Beck's show. "They're bought and sold."

The apparent conflict of interest between Beck's on-air commentary and his multiple advertising deals with gold investment firms was targeted by the watchdog group Media Matters and skewered by Jon Stewart on Comedy Central.

On-air endorsements like Beck's could soon be subject to stricter regulations. The Federal Communications Commission is considering amending its rules to set higher standards for the disclosure of paid endorsements on broadcast and cable television, Huffington Post reports.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by FamilyInCT December 20, 2009 5:09 PM EST: While Congress is passing a catastrophic bill that will impact every working family in the USA for decades, people are worrying about Glenn Beck and his relationship to an advertiser. Is this for real ? I would still like to know why CBS ignored the largest rally of about 700,000 people at the foot of the White House last September. What is more important Glenn Beck and an advertizer or the future of our standard of living ?; Reply to this comment


by friedgoose December 18, 2009 6:04 PM EST: Just a thought, You know a man by the company he keeps, well what does that say about the U.S. Congress? Do they invite honest, virtuous, respectful people to the White House dinners? Do they invite you, the people that pay for the meal and entertainment?
What does that say about the People we hire to run our country. Are they and their lives something that looks honest to other countries; or is this the reason the other countries laugh at us....us the people that vote for such people to donate our money to other countries.
And how many countries donate for our country?

Just a thought.; Reply to this comment


by friedgoose December 17, 2009 8:13 PM EST: I think you are probably right. Although if you knew the money that is brought in by ?many business' that bring them in and how they do it, it would surprise you. If just one ?refrigeration truck comes across the boarder, once a month, and they have between 20-40 ?illegal immigrants, who pay between 6-10 thousand dollars to cross the boarder are ?provided with a list of businesses that will hire them, are provided with several social ?security number cards, all with different names on them, are given the needed ?information to successfully make it in the USA. ?
With, No background checks on these people, then any filthy scoundrel can enter. ?
This I am sure is known of by, and controlled by the US Congressmen, our government, I ?know someone that used this process to enter. ?
So really it is no longer the safety of the USA citizens that is top priority of the Men and ?Women in Congress as well as any Government positions. They are failing at fulfilling ?the position We USA citizens are paying them to do.......Lets fire them.....they forget we ?are the people...we are very strong, and we can sand up to have our safety and security of ?jobs, homes, children, income, investments all of our rights respected. ?

We deserve this, and if they don't like it...fire them. We as a country have been molested, ?things taken from us that means the most. The things that no other country has, they envy ?us, even so much that other countries hate us for it yet molest, trying to get it from us, and ?to recreate this country lowering it to the standards that they hate about their own ?country. ?
? Power is a good, needed thing; yet if abused it defiles, molests, as well as degrades those ?who can become the greatest. Lets respect ourselves and our rights. Lets remember, ?ponder on the greatness of freedom..of free thinking..of inventions..of standing for safety ?and security of our own as well as our childrens lives!!!!! ?; Reply to this comment


by friedgoose December 17, 2009 7:59 PM EST: Doesn't this all sound like the control used on citizens of the country Obama is from? Why do people come here if it is only to take away our freedom to gain the power they didn't have in the country they are from. Well no wonder the Beginning Presidents of the USA were careful as to whom they welcomed into this country of the FREE!

So as the citizens when will we stand for our rights? How far are we going to allow the Congress to bully us around like rag dolls while we are the ones that support all of their extravagant vacations, false investigations, but more so allowing them to murder our own family, friends and they seem as if it is nothing. Where are we going to draw the line?

Don't we realize that if we stand together, for freedom, how can they stop a group of people of one mind. Who is it that is their employer?? Don't you feel as if you have the right to fire an employee that is not fulfilling the job description? What is the problem here then???; Reply to this comment


by joantf December 17, 2009 2:14 PM EST: Note to tonyatq-- Have you checked today's stock market??? Its way DOOOOWN Tony, and will drop even lower if the big health care bill gets pushed through on Christmas Eve by Harry Reid . Nobody, will have the bucks to buy stock, after this congress empties our pockets.SEE YOU IN THE BREAD LINE!; Reply to this comment


by joantf December 17, 2009 2:07 PM EST: It seems, as if anyone who has the nerve, to expose the wheeling dealing of the politicians in Washington, is attacked from every side. The white House, is angry at Beck for reporting on the radicals in their midst. Van Jones, a commie is gone from the WH, but still serves in the background, after his history was displayed in living color on Beck's program. The same goes for Anita Hill, who said she looked for guidance from the murderer of his own people MAO. Unbelievable! The diversity csar, Mark Lloyd, thinks Hugo Chavez's control of all media, is commendable and is something to aspire to. Our constitution, is being ripped apart day by day by those in power. Glen Beck has told the truth and backed it up with words and pictures, while the other lily livered channels and newspapers sit by and report on frivolities. The threats, are not aimed only at Fox news, Beck and O'reilly,but also at Senator Lieberman, but also at his wife's job, and lest I forget Senator was threatened in a call from the White House that if he fouled up the Health care bill, Brac would look into the closure of Strategic Air Command,in his home state of Nebraska. How far will these people go to pass the Health care bill, and WHY. Something does not pass the smell test, and if we don't speak up about how we feel to our Senators and House members,then we have no one but ourselves to blame. Think of our children, and the future they will inherit, if threats and bribes are the norm in Government. Its time to vote in people that are not out to fill their pockets, while robbing ours! I thank Fox news, for allowing Beck to tell the truth that other media hides.; Reply to this comment


by noloyalisti December 17, 2009 2:00 PM EST: Is the white wing wacko going to form a superticket and run for president with Palin on the Bimbo Party platform?; Reply to this comment

by noloyalisti December 17, 2009 12:55 PM EST

The Beckster is a lying cheating Republican, that's what they are all about. Since he stands for the rights of the big corporations to rape and pillage the taxpayers, he can commit any slimy or illegal stuff he wants and will be vindicated.

The American system: guilty until proven wealthy.
The criminal justice system: criminal system for the poor, justice system for the rich.

Reply to this comment


by friedgoose December 18, 2009 11:45 AM EST: Well I disagree with that, because if so Obama would be a Republican...don't you think? It is like: not one change he promised this country has come to pass. Actually he has done the things he promised wouldn't happen. Can't handle the truth, turn of the channel. Do you want a list, just let me know.

by petesis December 17, 2009 10:40 AM EST

Gold is near record highs right now. Anyone that buys now is a fool. Glenn Beck is a shill and he is shilling his sheep. Anyone that listens to Beck is a fool anyway.

Reply to this comment


by robinsont2 December 17, 2009 11:46 AM EST: while I agree about your gold comment... Not everything Beck says is wrong. He hits the nail on the head more than we'd like to admit. I guess I'm a fool:)


by doctor_know December 17, 2009 12:31 PM EST: I guess you are a fool ;)

Beck talks to his audience like they are little children.... why do people go for this? Doe sit make them feel smarter or something?


by CoastalExchange December 17, 2009 10:01 AM EST: Wow. The crazies sure come out for this story. This reminds me of the story that was ran after Rush was caught using Oxy. It's amazing what people use to justify wrong-doings by their idols. I'm not saying this behavior is only exhibited by the Right wing but it sure seems extra thick with the fascist type.; Reply to this comment