That's exactly how it's handled for paid spins on music stations. Some commercial news stations do the same thing in the same way, although I haven't heard them on CBS owned stations.
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That's exactly how it's handled for paid spins on music stations. Some commercial news stations do the same thing in the same way, although I haven't heard them on CBS owned stations.
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FredLeonard
Guest
This is public broadcasting and they are supposed to hold themselves to a higher standard - like Hebrew National hot dogs.
In a way, this is like newspapers running paid content disguised as news stories. It used to be that they had a box that said "advertising" at the top of these stories and had to use a different style, font and layout. But no more.
The fact that such deceptive practices are kept quiet, shows that publishers and public broadcasters know they are wrong and a betrayal of public trust.
Paid news stories is one thing. But, unlike CBS, public stations hold non-commercial licenses.
You seem to be saying it's OK to be sleazy as long as you can get away with it.
WHYY-TV also ran Wayne Dyer's program last night. Surprise, surprise. It was distributed by PBS but it didn't seem to come as close to the line as the WHYY-TV diet shows.
In a way, this is like newspapers running paid content disguised as news stories. It used to be that they had a box that said "advertising" at the top of these stories and had to use a different style, font and layout. But no more.
The fact that such deceptive practices are kept quiet, shows that publishers and public broadcasters know they are wrong and a betrayal of public trust.
Paid news stories is one thing. But, unlike CBS, public stations hold non-commercial licenses.
You seem to be saying it's OK to be sleazy as long as you can get away with it.
WHYY-TV also ran Wayne Dyer's program last night. Surprise, surprise. It was distributed by PBS but it didn't seem to come as close to the line as the WHYY-TV diet shows.
Really? Where does it say that? They don't take vows of celibacy. If they're disclosing what they're doing, and you know about it, then they're obviously not keeping it quiet. If you have a problem, file a complaint with the FCC. They love to fine broadcasters. It puts more money in their pockets so they can pay for their expensive offices along the river.
I have sent some of the information in this thread to the FCC for clarification.
If I receive a response, I will post it here.
If I receive a response, I will post it here.
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FredLeonard
Guest
They take vows of non-commercialism. The sin they vow to eschew is not lust but avarice. And they proclaim their own integrity and quality, which sort of obliges them to practice those qualities.
You and I and most people here watch and listen more closely and know more about the nuances of broadcasting and broadcast regulation than most people. So, what's "hidden" from the audience is not necessarily hidden here.
But if you are OK with such practices, keep watching, volunteering and giving money (with or without "thank you gifts").
Actually, I did file a complaint with the FCC. Now, Frank has contacted them. Let's see what happens. Whatever, it couldn't happen to greedier people.
I have friends who practice FCC Law. Should I not hear from the FCC directly, I will seek clarification from them.
Hopefully I will receive an answer ... sooner or later (probably later).
Hopefully I will receive an answer ... sooner or later (probably later).
As Bruce Springsteen once said, it's hard to be a saint in the city. As long as they follow the law, they're under no real moral obligations.
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FredLeonard
Guest
"No real moral obligation?" I would have thought it would be impossible to flunk Sunday School but you may have managed it.
This kind of cynicism is what I always hated about working in radio. Moral obligations are much stricter than legal ones. Public broadcasters want to present themselves as "the good guys." The problem they face is people expect them to live up to it. Commercial broadcasters did this, too, but they have long demonstrated a complete lack of integrity - and almost childish glee when they think they are getting away with something.
This is why the media rank right down there in public trust with lawyers and car salesmen.
And yet everyone still buys cars and uses lawyers and listens to the radio. Look, we're all adults. This isn't Disneyland. We all work for a living, and it's not all fantasyland. Even the folks at Disneyland expect you to pay to get in.
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FredLeonard
Guest
But at Disneyland they don't try to rip you off, and the company is among the leaders in customer satisfaction and total quality management. Other companies send executives to Disney for training in these areas. Although probably not any broadcasters.
Even the Mafia has a code of honor and probably more integrity that most broadcasters.
You're welcome to your opinion, but try to bring in your own food or coolers into Disneyland. They insist you buy their food and drinks on site at inflated prices.
Look...no one's forcing you to listen to these stations. If they don't meet your standards, find something else.
Let's try to stay on-subject. Thanks.
Or more appropriately, as House often said "Everybody lies!"
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FredLeonard
Guest
No real moral obligation .... everybody lies. Well, y'all have answered my original question: How does public television get away with it?
And y'all may now understand why in the past I have wanted NPR News to free itself somehow from the money grubbers at the local stations.
And y'all may now understand why in the past I have wanted NPR News to free itself somehow from the money grubbers at the local stations.
They have to get their money from some place. Do you have a better idea?
Also is there a law you can cite that they're breaking? That might be a place to start.
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Avid Listener
Guest
The answer is simple, but you aren't going to like it and you probably won't accept it. Almost no one cares that public television isn't as pristine as new fallen snow. Note that I said "almost". You clearly care. You're a universe of one. A teeny, tiny cadre of people whose grasp of reality isn't quite as secure as their imaginary visions of how they think the universe does work are upset about public television "getting away with" something. That vast majority of people just don't give a damn. And as long as the nation is facing so many real problems, I'm afraid there just isn't sufficient public outcry to public television "getting away with it" to make anyone with the power to do anything about it want to spend any time, effort, or money on fixing something that the vast majority of people either think isn't broken, or don't care whether it's broken or not.
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FredLeonard
Guest
Apparently some people, think it's (1) OK to cheat, (2) necessary to cheat to succeed and (3) either nobody else cares or approves. For some inexplicable reason, broadcasting in recent decades seems to draw such people. So do right-wing political and social movements, although these people only advocate "laissez-faire" where money is involved but want heavily to regulate anything people might enjoy or find personal.
Since laws are made to protect corporate elites, this sets a low - or non-existent - standard of behavior. And ethics and morality is not determined by counting noses.
PS: Since some of you find this issue so unimportant and inconsequential, why bother even reading this thread - let alone posting?
Since laws are made to protect corporate elites, this sets a low - or non-existent - standard of behavior. And ethics and morality is not determined by counting noses.
PS: Since some of you find this issue so unimportant and inconsequential, why bother even reading this thread - let alone posting?
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FredLeonard
Guest
Late last night/early this morning, WHYY-TV12 re-ran (yet again) The Blood Sugar Solution infomercial. In this one a "Dr" Mark Hyman hawks a 10-day detox diet, promising to cure a long list of diseases and chronic conditions. Basically, it's no sugar and no wheat but he says no one else is talking about "food addictions" related to these ingredients. He lies, there's a whole industry of programs on this and similar premises.
The format is the same as the other public television infomercials: Part est-style presentation and part pledge drive format. This show was not produced by WHYY-TV but apparently by the "doctor's" own company. Some slight differences: They offered for sale a DVD, or a book or a package books and DVDs, at increasing prices. They did show the total as well as the monthly price. There was no linking the purchase of these products to a "donation" to public television.
The format is the same as the other public television infomercials: Part est-style presentation and part pledge drive format. This show was not produced by WHYY-TV but apparently by the "doctor's" own company. Some slight differences: They offered for sale a DVD, or a book or a package books and DVDs, at increasing prices. They did show the total as well as the monthly price. There was no linking the purchase of these products to a "donation" to public television.
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Avid Listener
Guest
I am confused. What part of this thread is venturing off-topic?
In an earlier post it was mentioned that infomercials for health products are treated differently from infomercials for other types of items. Does that mean it's legal to sell questionable junk that doesn't have approval from the FDA? Most people who have seen my posts know how much I hate infomercials and believe they should be restricted if not totally stopped. Even if the ads are legal by PBS or FCC standards are they legal by FDA standards?
Perhaps that's the way to rein in a lot of this garbage is to have the FDA go after these scam artists who sell questionable junk in health foods or medical supplies.
If a PBS station can't make their budget without running infomercials at night then they need to sign off. Dead air is better than this garbage.
Perhaps that's the way to rein in a lot of this garbage is to have the FDA go after these scam artists who sell questionable junk in health foods or medical supplies.
If a PBS station can't make their budget without running infomercials at night then they need to sign off. Dead air is better than this garbage.
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