WLTX-19, CBS (TV Station)

WLTX-19 is a Columbia, South Carolina television station and an affiliate of the ABC television network.

Station Owner
Gannett

Use of Video News Releases and/or Satellite Media Tours
In the 6am news bulletin on January 4, 2006 the station broadcast an interview from a satellite media tour (SMT) organized by D S Simon Productions for the Texas Instruments, Motorola Nokia Swiffer on the highlights of CES. While the station anchor indicated that they were using material from a SMT organized by vendors at the Consumer Electronics Show he didn't name the four companies that funded the SMT and whose  products were featured on the segment. The SMT was part of a PR campaign by Robin Raskin

Response to Report
In response to a Center for Media and Democracy survey about station disclosure policies, WLTX faxed the following information on March 31, 2006, with a handwritten note from Executive Producer, Marybeth Jacoby, reading, "I look forward to the results":
 * 1) During its news programs, does your station air video news releases (VNRs, including B-roll) or satellite media tours (SMTs) that were produced for companies, governments agencies or other entities? Yes - but only SMTs
 * 2) If your station does air VNRs and/or SMTs, do you disclose the source of the material to news audiences? Yes - always
 * 3) If your station does disclose the VNRs and/or SMTs it airs, how does it do so? Verbal announcement

Contact Details
WLTX-TV 6027 Garners Frery Rd Columbia, SC 29209-1304 Phone (Switch): 803-776-3600 Phone (News): 803-776-9508 Fax (General): 803-695-3711 Fax News: 803-776-1791 Web: http://www.wltx.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