Video 'news' releases: Ball in FCC's Court

"Whither the fight against fake news?

"In April, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published a Public Notice on video news releases (VNRs), video segments designed to be indistinguishable from actual TV news reports. According to the FCC, current regulations mandate that viewers be told the source of a VNR only when stations are paid to air it, or when the VNR deals with a political matter or controversial issue. The Public Notice also asked for further information on the use of VNRs ...

Why do these filings matter?
"How the FCC interprets them will determine whether TV viewers are told when their 'news' comes courtesy of a major drug company or the Defense Department. Senator Ted Stevens, the co-chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, has also indicated that the response to the FCC's Public Notice will help him decide what action to take on the proposed Truth in Broadcasting Act, the strongest bill before Congress calling for disclosure of government-funded VNRs.

Source: PR Watch