WP: Broadcasters Must Reveal Video Clips' Sources, FCC Says

[DeepModem Mom]

Broadcasters Must Reveal Video Clips' Sources, FCC Says

By Frank Ahrens
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, April 14, 2005; Page A02


Television broadcasters must disclose to viewers the origin of video news releases produced by the government or corporations when the material runs on the public airwaves, the Federal Communications Commission said yesterday.

The FCC's ruling comes as video news releases produced by the Bush administration and aired as part of local television news reports have come under attack from critics who call them unlabeled Republican propaganda.

Some members of Congress say greater disclosure is needed. Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) plan to introduce an amendment to a junk fax bill today that would require government agencies -- such as the Department of Health and Human Services, whose video news release on Medicare and Medicaid was deemed propaganda by the Government Accountability Office last year -- to tell viewers that a clip was produced and paid for by the U.S. government.

"The bottom line is, the government's role in these news stories needs to be disclosed," said Lautenberg, a member of the Commerce Committee, which will consider the amendment.

Yesterday, the FCC unanimously clarified rules applying to broadcasters, saying they must disclose to the viewer the origins of video news releases, though the agency does not specify what form the disclosure must take....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51375-2005Apr13.html

[smoogatz]

1. Tomorrow's Headline: FCC Panel Resigns To Spend More Time With Family

eom

[Melodybe]

2. Wow! Something good happened, I'm in shock.

[bunkerbuster1]

3. So far, so good.

Now enforce it, and stop worrying about wardrobe malfunctions, you boobs.

[Norquist Nemesis]

4. Big Deal! Can anyone say...."Loophole"?

Yesterday, the FCC unanimously clarified rules applying to broadcasters, saying they must disclose to the viewer the origins of video news releases, though the agency does not specify what form the disclosure must take....

[Melodybe]

5. some disclosure beats no disclosure.

even if it is just written across the bottom, it is a hell of a lot better than people not even knowing.

[Norquist Nemesis]

6. Investment companies

'disclose' in the 50 words miniscule 3 second display on their commercials warning potential investors to read the prospectus, rate does not include fees, etc. The disclosure subtly appears and disappears. But hey, it's better than nothing. :shrug:

My loophole point is, these were being put over the airwaves as part of newscasts. There is no reason why the FCC could not have been specific to state that broadcasters must state either a) The Federal <agency> produced this piece on <topic> or b) The <current president> Administration provided this next segment for viewing regarding <topic>.

It's simple, straight forward, and takes about 2 seconds of airtime.

[liveoaktx]

14. FCC is asking for comments-TELL them that.

[Norquist Nemesis]

7. deleted double post

[renaissanceguy]

13. At least they're taking a step in the right direction,

not the RIGHT'S direction.

Although I can't reference any of the top of my head, I do remember polls revealing that most Americans don't trust government. Now imagine when they see an ad by the government. The sheep might buy it, but I'm not so sure the rest of the public will buy it.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.14744291

[liveoaktx]

8. In the case of broadcast channels, the public can ask for them

to open their files, make comments and try to prevent them from renewing their licences.

[keopeli]

9. Put the onus of responsibility on the broadcaster, not the politician

Interesting. The party guilty of propoganda is the government. The party being held responsible is the media. Murdoch ain't gonna like that at all. But, there's no way the politicians will hold themselves accountable. So, if an Armstrong Williams slips out there again, it's the media that will take the fall, not the real villain who paid him to do it.

[Terre]

10. FCC ruling regarding FAKE NEWS

Just received an email from the StopFakeNews.org that informs of the recent FCC ruling:

"Television broadcasters must disclose to viewers the origin of video news releases produced by the government or corporations when the material runs on the public airwaves, the Federal Communications Commission said yesterday.

The FCC's ruling comes as video news releases produced by the Bush administration and aired as part of local television news reports have come under attack from critics who call them unlabeled Republican propaganda."

Source:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A51375-2005Apr13?%20language=printer

Apologies if this has already been posted, but sure is good news to me.

[Viking12]

11. The disclosures will go unnoticed

Newsprograms will incorporate "credits" in a rapid scroll in small print at the very end of the broadcast when everyone has already turned the channel to watch Letterman.

[Up2Late]

12. What happens if they don't?

This article is missing a KEY word "Fines." What's the penalty for not following this rule?:shrug:

[NVMojo]

15. Thank you, StartChange.org!!!!

On March 13, we launched the Stop Fake News campaign. Since then, over 26,933 of you sent a message directly to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Today, we can declare a major victory! The FCC has heard your voice and declared that TV broadcasters must disclose the source of video news releases (VNRs) produced by the government.

This is what today's Washington Post article, "Broadcasters Must Reveal Video Clips' Sources, FCC Says," said:


Television broadcasters must disclose to viewers the origin of video news releases produced by the government or corporations when the material runs on the public airwaves, the Federal Communications Commission said yesterday.

The FCC's ruling comes as video news releases produced by the Bush administration and aired as part of local television news reports have come under attack from critics who call them unlabeled Republican propaganda.
-- Read the full Washington Post Article


FCC commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein said that public comments such as the 26,933 comments from our community were critical in provoking this announcement.

FCC Commissioner Michael Copps:

"Everyone understands that a story cannot be judged without knowing its source, but increasingly the source goes unreported. Recently tens of thousands of citizens contacted the FCC demanding an investigation into the failure of broadcasters to disclose their use of government-generated "news" stories. They were right to do so. This Commission should investigate each such case. And it should strenuously enforce the rules against inadequate sponsorship identification." (emphasis added)

-- Read Commissioner Copps' Full Statement. (PDF)
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-84A2.pdf

FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein:

"We have recently received a large number of complaints from the public about VNRs that were created by or for the federal government, and which were broadcast on television stations without identifying the government's role in developing the VNR." (emphasis added)

-- Read Commissioner Adelstein's Full Statement. (PDF)
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-84A3.pdf

You can read the full FCC Public Notice on VNRs by clicking here. (PDF)
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-84A1.pdf
As in our StopSinclair campaign, you have shown that when we speak together, with one voice, we can Start Change. This is just the beginning. We will continue to keep our eyes on government-produced newscasts and other fake news that this administration produces, but today is a major victory. Enjoy it!

Thank you for making this possible,

Arkadi, Marc, Tim and the entire StartChange Team
www.StartChange.org

[struggle4progress]

16. kick

[Rose Siding]

17. ABC News: Senate Votes to Ban Video News Releases- 98-0

Senate Votes 98-0 to Ban Federal Agencies From Using Taxpayer Funds to Produce Video News Releases

WASHINGTON Apr 15, 2005 — The Senate passed a measure Thursday that would stop government agencies from using taxpayer funds to disguise video press releases as real news, putting the brakes on a product Democrats call propaganda. President Bush cautioned that some responsibility for full disclosure rests with news outlets.

"It's deceptive to the American people if it's not disclosed," Bush told the American Society of Newspaper Editors on Thursday. "But it's incumbent upon people who use them to say, 'This news clip was produced by the federal government.'"

Senators voted 98-0 to attach the measure, sponsored by Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., to the $80.6 billion emergency spending bill to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=672970&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312