Submitted by Laura Miller on
Over charges of partisanship, the board of directors for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting picked Patricia Harrison to become CPB's new president and CEO.
Whither the fight against fake news?
In April, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published a Public Notice on video news releases (VNRs), video segments designed to be indistinguishable from actual TV news reports. According to the FCC, current regulations mandate that viewers be told the source of a VNR only when stations are paid to air it, or when the VNR deals with a political matter or controversial issue. The Public Notice also asked for further information on the use of VNRs.
In response, nine comments were filed by the FCC's June 22 deadline. Two were filed by individuals supporting additional measures to ensure disclosure. Six were filed by VNR companies and associations of broadcasters and public relations practitioners. Not surprisingly, these argued against strengthening disclosure rules.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
Online volunteers are "using collaborative wiki software to expedite the process of perusing thousands of pages of complex documents related to detainees held by the U.S.
Submitted by Bob Burton on
At a preview of Hyundai's new Sonata sedan last week the company's local boss, Bong Gou Lee, announced a special offer for Australian motoring journalists in attendance: "Half price for journalists, tonight only." Sydney Morning Herald reporter Tony Davis, who was not present, confirmed that "several journalists gave credit card numbers and specified models and colours on a deal that would have saved more than $A17,000 and delivered a new car at below cost." After Davis began making inquiries Lee withdrew the
Submitted by Laura Miller on
"Don't you love local TV news stories about critical topics like Supernanny, The Apprentice or Survivor?" Cause Communications' Jason Salzman asks in his Rocky Mountain News column. Salzman lists several examples of stories produced by Denver's local TV news programs and finds that most of the stories focused on entertainment programming run by the stations' respective networks.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
The Federal Communications Commission added a web page outlining the restrictions against pay-for-broadcast arrangements and explaining how individuals can report suspected payola.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
As PR Watch previously reported, the U.S.
Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on
"In 1938, Orson Welles’ radio broadcast of 'The War of the Worlds' caused thousands of people to panic, believing they were listening to a genuine newscast of a Martian invasion of New Jersey," writes Katie Sweeney for Public Relations Tactics, the trade publication of the Public Relations Society of America.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
On a recent episode, a character on NBC's "Law & Order" who was investigating the murder of a federal judge said, "Maybe we should put out an APB for somebody in a Tom DeLay T-shirt." In response, the Free Enterprise Fund (which "advocates limited government and 'pro-growth' economic policies") worked with their PR firm, Shirley & Banister Public Affairs, to challenge the "witch-hunt to discr
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
During a video news release (VNR) producers' roundtable discussion, Medialink's Larry Moskowitz suggested that "what The New York Times" and members of Congress "found venal" were VNR voice-overs, the scripted audio mimicking reporters' narration.
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