FCC Investigates Bush Administration Use of Fake News

The Independent reports that the Federal Communications Commission is investigating the Bush Administration's use of video news releases (VNR) which are not clearly identified as "faux news." (tip)

The range of VNR is wide. Among items provided by the Bush administration to news stations was one in which an Iraqi-American in Kansas City was seen saying "Thank you Bush. Thank you USA" in response to the 2003 fall of Baghdad. The footage was actually produced by the State Department, one of 20 federal agencies that have produced and distributed such items.

We reported last month that the Center for Media and Democracy had, over a 10-month period., analyzed the use of 36 VNRs in 77 stations reaching half of the US population. For example, Sinclair-owned FOX KOKH-25 in Oklahoma City broadast six VNRs. Without mentioning that the material had been provided by a corporate PR agent. And five were broadcast in their entirety.

Technorati Profile
Technorati tags: News, Politics, Propaganda, VNR
gada.be tags: News, Politics, Propaganda, VNR