Sleaze

FCC cracks down on 'fake news'
Owners of 77 TV stations queried on paid video stories

WASHINGTON (AP) -- 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
Widespread and Undisclosed," was compiled by the Center for Media and
Democracy, a Wisconsin-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.