WBRC-6, FOX (TV Station)
| Fake TV News: A CMD Special Report |
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| This article is part of the Center for Media and Democracy's special report, Fake TV News: Widespread and Undisclosed. Click here to read the report summary. |
WBRC-6 is a Birmingham, Alabama television station and an affiliate of the Fox television network.
Contents
Station Owner
Use of Video News Releases and/or Satellite Media Tours
In the 8am news bulletin on November 22, 2005 the station incorporated material from a satellite media tour (SMT) organized by D S Simon Productions for the Panasonic, Namco and Techno Source on high-tech gift ideas. The SMT was organized for Robin Raskin.
Response to Report
In response to the Center for Media and Democracy's (CMD) Fake TV News report, WBRC-6 news director Mike McClain took issue with CMD's assertion that the station "ran the live SMT without informing viewers that Raskin's appearance was funded by the makers of the very products she was praising" (the exact words used in the report).
As proof, McClain provided a transcript of the Nov. 22 newscast, in which station anchor Janice Rogers introduced the piece by saying:
- "I recently talked with Robin Raskin - the Internet Mom - thanks to several tech companies and here's what she had to offer to keep your kids safe and keep you sane!"
However, even by McClain's own evidence, WBRC-6 failed to identify that the interview was arranged by D S Simon Productions on behalf of the clients Panasonic, Namco and Techno Source. As such, CMD stands by its original reporting. [1]
Contact Details
FOX6 WBRC-TV
1720 Valley View Drive
Birmingham, AL 35209
Phone: (205) 322-6666
Phone (News): (205) 583-4333
Fax (Main): (205) 583-4386
Web: http://www.wbrc.com/index1.html
SourceWatch Resources
- Audio news releases
- B-Roll
- Brand Hype
- Branded Entertainment
- Media releases
- Satellite Media Tours
- Radio Media Tours
- Public Service Announcements
- Video news releases: PR for California's Schwarzenegger administration
External links
- Diane Farsetta and Daniel Price, "Fake TV News: Widespread and Undisclosed: A multimedia report on television newsrooms' use of material provided by PR firms on behalf of paying clients", Center for Media and Democracy, April 6, 2006.
