Date: 6 April 2006

Dear Weekly Spin reader,

Just minutes ago, the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) published online our groundbreaking exposé, “Fake TV News: Widespread and Undisclosed.”

This multi-media report is the culmination of an intensive, ten month investigation by CMD senior researcher Diane Farsetta and research consultant Daniel Price. The report provides the most extensive account to date of how corporate-funded video news releases (VNRs) — fake TV news — are routinely aired, without disclosure, as though they were independent news reports.

Read the report here: www.prwatch.org/fakenews/execsummary

And then tell the Federal Communications Commission that fake news must stop, by clicking here: action.freepress.net/campaign/fakenews

We are presenting the report today (April 6) in Washington DC, at a press conference with FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein and the media reform group Free Press. We’ve also filed a formal complaint with the FCC, calling for the 77 stations we caught airing fake TV news to be held accountable. All such material must be disclosed, to honor the audience’s right to know!

Learn which TV stations we caught and watch footage of the VNRs we tracked, plus see how TV newscasts incorporated them and/or related satellite media tour “interviews.” It’s all here: www.prwatch.org/fakenews/execsummary

And then take part in the joint CMD / Free Press action by clicking here: action.freepress.net/campaign/fakenews

Please forward this email to friends and family. We need action now, to stop this widespread deception! Democracy depends on real journalism, not corporate propaganda masquerading as news.

Lastly, if you would like to help CMD continue its muckraking ways, you can use this secure link to make a tax-deductible donation to our organization: https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?id=1118

Sincerely,

John Stauber Executive Director, Center for Media and Democracy

520 University Ave, Suite 227 Madison, WI 53703 www.prwatch.org Phone 608-260-9713

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