NEWS: This past week, local NBC and ABC affiliates have aired fake "interview" segments that look like news, but are actually corporate propaganda paid for by America's largest business lobby, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
We couldn't believe our eyes. So we went digging.
We couldn't believe our eyes. So we went digging.
The segments all feature the @USChamber CEO attacking the PRO Act, a bill that would make it easier for American workers to form unions.
If passed, the PRO Act will be the first major U.S. law expanding worker power since 1935.
The U.S. Chamber is fighting it tooth and nail.
If passed, the PRO Act will be the first major U.S. law expanding worker power since 1935.
The U.S. Chamber is fighting it tooth and nail.
One of the networks that aired a segment was Arizona ABC affiliate @KGUN9 "On Your Side.”
The only way a viewer would know the segment was paid lobbyist propaganda was a chyron that flashed on the screen for a total of 4 seconds.
The only way a viewer would know the segment was paid lobbyist propaganda was a chyron that flashed on the screen for a total of 4 seconds.
The KGUN interviewer describes herself on social media as a “news anchor.”
But in the segment, she makes factually false assertions about the bill and asks leading questions, including, “What can people watching do to help stop this legislation that will hurt local workers?”
But in the segment, she makes factually false assertions about the bill and asks leading questions, including, “What can people watching do to help stop this legislation that will hurt local workers?”
KGUN's general manager defended the segment because he said it aired on a "pay-for-play program" called The Morning Blend.
We asked him if that meant he would willingly air factual inaccuracies. After a pause, he said, "I'm not sure how you want that question answered."
We asked him if that meant he would willingly air factual inaccuracies. After a pause, he said, "I'm not sure how you want that question answered."
On Atlanta NBC affiliate WXIA @11Alive, the segment aired without a single mention that it was paid content until after it ended.
The WXIA anchor thanked the Chamber CEO for "enlightening us" and echoed her talking points about the bill's supposed complexity and mysteriousness.
The WXIA anchor thanked the Chamber CEO for "enlightening us" and echoed her talking points about the bill's supposed complexity and mysteriousness.
On Virginia NBC affiliate @WSLS, a “paid segment” chyron ran during the full segment.
But the “interview” was not merely sponsored, it was staged and scripted.
And the “anchor” was actually an actor (whose bio describes her as a “proud” member of two theater unions).
But the “interview” was not merely sponsored, it was staged and scripted.
And the “anchor” was actually an actor (whose bio describes her as a “proud” member of two theater unions).
The segments we found aired in 3 states—Arizona, Virginia, and Georgia.
Arizona & Virginia are home to 3 of the 5 Democratic Senators who have not yet co-sponsored the PRO Act (Sinema, Kelly, Warner).
In Georgia, Sen. Warnock, a PRO Act co-sponsor, faces re-election in 2022.
Arizona & Virginia are home to 3 of the 5 Democratic Senators who have not yet co-sponsored the PRO Act (Sinema, Kelly, Warner).
In Georgia, Sen. Warnock, a PRO Act co-sponsor, faces re-election in 2022.
We asked all of these stations whether they enforce any editorial or accuracy standards to such segments, and whether it's appropriate for local TV stations to air public policy propaganda scripted by registered lobbyists.
Two declined to answer, one didn't respond.
Two declined to answer, one didn't respond.
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