RTNDA Calls For Halt to VNR Investigation

RTNDA CALLS FOR HALT TO VNR INVESTIGATION
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The Radio-Television News Directors Association is asking the Federal Communications Commission to halt its present enforcement investigation into the use of video news releases (VNRs) on local television stations and to rescind the letters of inquiry sent to 77 stations in August. In a filing at the FCC, RTNDA is arguing that the investigation is 1) an unwarranted intrusion that is chilling newsgathering, 2) based on an inaccurate study of VNR use by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) and 3) unnecessary because stations don't have to identify the source of VNR's if they have not been paid or promised something for their use.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6378822?display=Breaking+News

* RTNDA press release: http://www.rtnda.org/news/2006/100606.shtml

* Fake TV News: Widespread and Undisclosed (the CMD report in question)
http://www.prwatch.org/fakenews/execsummary

* RTNDA critique of CMD report
http://www.rtnda.org/foi/vnr_study.pdf

* Accuracy of Report on Video News Releases Affirmed: CMD Issues Full Rebuttal of RTNDA Claims
"It's unfortunate that an organization representing news directors is attacking accurate, independent reporting," stated CMD senior researcher Diane Farsetta, who co-authored the 'Fake TV News' report. "We do not find RTNDA's claims to have any merit. Furthermore, it should be noted that the issue is VNR disclosure. TV stations willing to disclose where the video in their newscast comes from should feel no chill at all. As the FCC stated in its April 2005 Public Notice on VNRs, news audiences have the right to know 'who seeks to influence them."
http://www.prwatch.org/node/5283

* Rebuttal of the Radio-Television News Directors Association's "Fake TV News" Report Critique
http://www.prwatch.org/node/5282