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Keep Product Placement off News Broadcasts

While product placement hidden advertisements have long infiltrated network television shows, the Meredith Broadcasting Group has hit a new low: product placement on news broadcasts.

The New York Times reports that anchors on KVVU, a Fox affiliate in Las Vegas, sit with cups of McDonald’s iced coffee on their desks during morning news show. Executives at the station have acknowledged that the McDonald’s coffee is part of a six-month promotion.

Product placement on newscasts runs contrary to the ethics of impartial journalism and takes advantage of viewers who are expecting the morning news, not an advertisement. The news should be kept separate from commercial ventures and news anchors should not be used to hawk products.

Please tell Paul Karpowicz, president of Meredith Broadcasting Group, to take product placement out of newscasts.

November 22, 2009

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Dear Mr. Karpowicz,

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