(November 19, 2003) New York, NY--The Society of Professional Journalists recently issued a statement slamming television stations that run paid programming during their regular segments. The statement was recently shortly after WFLA, in Tampa, FL, had drawn criticism for charging some guests up to $2,500 to appear on the station's "Daytime" morning show. WLBT, Jackson, MS, has also been criticized for running paid programming segments during its "Midday Mississippi" show.
"Recent press reports have outlined practices that present a clear violation of the basic tenets of ethical journalism and threaten the independence of the press guaranteed by the Constitution," said the release. "Some broadcast stations have begun to ask business people and others in the community to pay for a chance to be interviewed on the air.
"These “sponsored” segments sometimes appear in news shows and are not clearly labeled as paid advertising. In other instances, the content inhabits an ambiguous gray zone between news, entertainment and advertising, with elements of each. Sometimes anchors and other news personnel have appeared in promotions for advertisers; other times, the use of the same stage set or the nature of adjacent content adds to the viewer’s confusion. Some radio stations are offering groups an opportunity to purchase an interview in programming that appears to the listener to be a normal talk show."
The release went on to alert readers to the threat these practices pose to the public: "These practices are a disservice to the public, eroding the trust the public must have to find the work of the press credible…Such phony 'news' stories not only offend the public trust, they also undermine the credibility of the news operation for advertisers. Legitimate advertisers pay to be associated with a newspaper, magazine or news show because their messages will appear in a trustworthy place. Permitting news to be bought destroys the very reason good advertisers want to advertise in the press in the first place."
Society of Professional Journalists
www.spj.org
