FCC cracks down on 'fake news' (1 Viewer)

[hipsterdufus]

How is mailing a letter a crackdown on VNR's? The FCC has no teeth anymore. But at least the FCC raised the fines on swear words. :roll:

So these stations have 60 days to respond or the FCC may fart in their general direction.

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.

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.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/15/fake.news.ap/index.html?section=cnn_topstories