WCIA-3, CBS (TV Station)

WCIA-3 is a Champaign, Illinois television station and an affiliate of the CBS television network.

Station Owner
Nexstar Broadcasting

Use of Video News Releases and/or Satellite Media Tours
In the 5am news bulletin on January 17, 2006 the station broadcast an edited video news release (VNR) produced by Medialink Worldwide for Siemens AG on 'advances' in ethanol. The Medialink publicist appeared on-screen. 

The New York Times documented WCIA-3's use of government VNRs. The March 2005 Times article reported that WCIA's news director, Jim P. Gee, said of VNRs from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, "We don't think they're propaganda. They meet our journalistic standards. They're informative. They're balanced." The Times reported, "WCIA, based in Champaign, has run 26 segments made by the Agriculture Department over the past three months alone." 

Contact Details
WCIA 509 S. Neil Street Champaign, IL 61820 Phone: (217) 356.8333 Phone (news): (217) 373.3650 Fax: 217-373-3663 Email: news AT wcia.com Web: http://www.wcia.com

SourceWatch Resources

 * Audio news releases
 * B-Roll
 * Brand Hype
 * Branded Entertainment
 * Media releases
 * Satellite Media Tours
 * Radio Media Tours
 * Public Service Announcements
 * Video news releases: PR for California's Schwarzenegger administration