On April 6, 2006, the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) released a multi-media report titled, "Fake TV News: Widespread and Undisclosed." It provides the most extensive account to date of how corporate-funded video news releases (VNRs) -- fake TV news -- are routinely aired by newsrooms, without disclosure, as though they were independently-gathered reports.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
General Electric began "heavily advertising" its "new company-wide environmental initiative" called "ecomagination." Its goals are "to decrease pollution from its products and to double research and development spending on cleaner technologies." (According to Grist, one TV ad "features scantily clad models dusted with soot," as an announcer says, "Thanks to emissions-reducing technologies from GE, the power of coal is getting more beautiful every day.") The "ecomagination" launch followed a y
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
Concerned at rising rates of soldiers' non-combat deaths, the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center hired two PR firms, Pario and Reingold, to "sell" safety measures.
Submitted by Bob Burton on
Two members of the animal welfare committee of Yum Brands Inc, KFC's parent company, resigned after being asked to sign a confidentiality agreement which would have required them to refer all media inquiries to KFC's corporate headquarters. Over the last three years Dr. Temple Grandin of Colorado State University and Dr. Ian Duncan of the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, have advised KFC on improving animal welfare standards. Both objected to the proposed agreement as amounting to censorship.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
The U.S. Forest Service "is weighing replacement of 100 of its public information staff with private public relations firms," according to documents obtained by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.
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In the lead-up to Thursday's UK national election, the Christian Science Monitor reports on "the growing insinuation of spin and professional marketing into British politics." The Independent publishes a wide-ranging interview with Sir Timothy Bell, the influential owner of
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"A case study posted on the website of [Washington] DC-based Glover Park Group (GPG) has caused a PR snafu," reports PR Week.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
In its "PR Toolbox" section, PR Week asks how audio news releases (ANRs) can avoid "the recent controversy that's surrounded video news releases." Ryan McKenna of the radio PR firm North American Network suggests not using the word "reporting," for starters (advice the USDA's
Submitted by Bob Burton on
The Federal Communications Commission's warning that broadcasters should disclose the origin of some video news releases (VNRs) has the fake news business in a lather.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
The British government "is drawing up secret plans to create a new generation of nuclear power stations." However, "Tony Blair wants to avoid discussing the issue until after the election," scheduled for May 5.
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