At that time several Mercury journalists commented that stories major advertisers might find objectionable were no longer possible at the paper. Several local television stations have also blurred the distinction between news and ads. To Be a Millionaire board game on camera and then solicited testimonials about whether they d buy the game. In addition to turning a news story into a commercial, they failed to disclose that the company selling the game, ABC, owns Channel 7. Advertisers are the most important customers of newspapers and television stations.
Credibility is difficult to earn and easy to lose.
Boosting the interests of big advertisers breeds cynicism. It will hurt us all. For better or worse, self-government requires both reliable public information and public trust in it. The News Web site strongly suggests that you believe the Contra Costa Times intentionally attempts to deceive its readers. In the very next paragraph you note that a Sunday real estate advertising supplement is appropriately labeled.