Sun Shine On Sham Issue Ads:Why just target ads allied with major political parties? In the mainstream media, both in newsprint and on newscasts we are bombarded with pro-source issue ads masquerading as public service information and news reports every single day with barely a hint of disclosure.
In Wisconsin, sham issue ads have been exploding for a decade. Local advocates who monitor media buying and news reporting in Wisconsin estimate that, in 2006, contributions from special interests or advocacy groups allied with both major political parties financed approximately $15 million worth of sham issue ads.
Did you ever turn on a half-hour local newscast, say Channel 3, and somewhere in the middle of the program they have a 7 or 8 minute consumer bit on Weber outdoor grills or the latest prescription drug? Its not a commercial, it doesn’t mention the competition, it is acted out by the news anchor with possibly a guest, nowhere is there a disclaimer, BUT IT IS presented as the news and within the news.
The same thing happens flipping the pages of your favorite newspaper. Some articles, primarily with a business focus, are a patchwork of existing information readily found on the subjects Webpage only to be repeated over and over again like a commercial. And without any investigative reporting or opposing viewpoint that’s just how it appears – like a sham ad masquerading as a news article.
Our local newscast and newspapers are not alone, nearly everybody is doing this. But if that’s the way it’s going to be, paying subscribers are at least owed a simple disclosure or disclaimer with each sham ad. Political and commercial news reports particularly but, single issue pro-source articles as well.
1 comment:
With out going into a diatribe on how media is wasting its free speech, I think I can capsulate it in one succinct sentence. They are just plain lazy!
Bob Keith
cooldadiomedia.com
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