Unidentified TV Plugs Are Deceptive

UNIDENTIFIED TV PLUGS ARE DECEPTIVE
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
In a letter to Federal Communications Chairman Kevin Martin, House Telecommunications Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA) and Government Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) said they think product placements and integrations in TV shows are unfair and deceptive if not clearly disclosed. They are concerned that these plugs will blur the line between programming and advertising to the degree that the result will essentially be a program-length commercial that "places marketing objectives ahead of creative interests." The chairmen praised Chairman Martin for saying recently that he would look into what changes might need to be made in the FCC's sponsorship-identification rules. The legislators encouraged a broad inquiry, including reviewing how broadcast and cable programmers distinguish between program and ad content and making sure the rules require them to identify products being plugged and who paid for the placement.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6483645.html?rssid=193

* Read the letter:
http://markey.house.gov/docs/telecomm/Letter%20with%20Waxman%20to%20FCC%...

* Congressmen Tackle Product Placement
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2007/09/congressmen_tackle_product_pla.php
(requires free registration)