Free Press *)))
about action center news events press center store donate
online actions reform organizations downloadable tools submit an action sign up
font size: [+] [–]
Home : Action Center :

Stop News Fraud


The White House is infiltrating local news broadcasts with taxpayer-funded covert propaganda. At least 20 federal agencies have produced and distributed fake news stories touting Bush administration policies. Last Friday, the Bush administration told government agencies to keep on producing the bogus broadcasts -- even after Congress' Government Accountability Office declared these "video news releases" to be illegal.

Together we forced an investigation of pundits on the government payroll. With your help, we can force Congress, the Federal Communications Commission and local broadcasters to crack down on covert propaganda and keep fake news off the air.

Once you've signed the petition, Free Press will let you know in the coming weeks about others in your area working to forge "citizen agreements" with local TV stations to ensure broadcasters always identify their sources.

To learn more, read the in-depth report from Free Press on the systematic effort by the Bush administration to manipulate journalists and the American public.

Add your name


First Name*
Last Name*
E-mail*
Street Address*
City, State, Zip*
Add me to the Free Press/PR Watch activist network so I can receive occasional emails about important media reform developments.
Subscribe me to Media Reform Daily, Free Press' digest for the media reform movement.

Concerned about your data? Use our secure form.
SEND THIS MESSAGE

Dear (name):

We, the undersigned, demand that the Bush administration stop using our tax dollars to create fake news reports, and ask local broadcasters to clearly disclose all government propaganda.

A March 13 article in the New York Times identified 20 federal agencies that used tax money to produce hundreds of television news segments promoting Bush administration policies. These segments have been carried by local newscasts without disclosing their source. Manipulating our news system is a betrayal of the public trust.

At least three investigations by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found these segments to constitute "covert propaganda" in violation of federal law. Yet the White House recently instructed all executive branch agencies to ignore the GAO findings and continue to produce propaganda.

We call on Congress and the Federal Communications Commission to strengthen and enforce laws against "covert propaganda." We call on the National Association of Broadcasters and local television stations to condemn these misinformation campaigns and agree to clearly identify the origin of all government-funded reports throughout the entirety of their broadcasts.

Sincerely,

(Your name)
(Your address)

* This information is required for electronic delivery of your information, and by members of Congress to verify you as a constituent. Free Press will not provide your information to any other organization. Please see our Privacy Policy for details.
Home | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Tell a Friend | Work for us!
Freepress.net is a project of Free Press and the Free Press Action Fund
Main Office: 100 Main St, P.O. Box 28, Northampton, MA 01061 - Ph 877.888.1533 - Fax 413.585.8904
Washington Office: 501 Third Street NW, Suite 875, Washington, DC 20001 - Ph 202.265.1490 - Fax 202.265.1489