DISQUS

oso · 5 years ago

Well, I was definitely not "furious," but I do think it is a step back in KPBS's integrity.

And I agree that disclosure is for sure not necessary in all cases - yours is a good example - but journalists should disclose when there is a possible confict of interest. Which with the Wal-Mart story there was. (by the way, did you hear what the Santee mayor said about Wal-Mart and how it's "against policy" do say who the biggest tax renovator is in their city?)

I'm curious to hear from more reporters - especially from KPBS.

Stephen · 5 years ago

I actually agree with you Andrew, and have very little to add beyond that. I don't think it's a huge deal, really, but it certainly wouldn't have hurt to disclose it.

Then again, if a newspaper runs a positive story on one of its advertisers, it's pretty much never going to be disclosed, and it's rarely harmful (though sometimes it can be -- remember LAT/Staples?). Just because of the way public broadcasting works, there may be the idea that big sponsors have more sway than big advertisers in private media, but I'm not so sure.

David Foltz · 5 years ago

This is definitely unscientific; I listen to KPBS daily and I must have tuned out the "abundant" Wal-Mart underwriting announcements because it came as a surprise to me. Jack in the Box underwriting announcemnts do abound, as well as many others that come to mind, but not Wal-Mart's.

My favorite underwriting announcements are those of Terry Gross on Fresh Air. When she makes the announcments I envision her eyes rolling back into her head as she goes into her monotone deadpan delivery, the audio equivalent of 6 point all-caps printed disclaimers.

Maybe I've tuned out Wal-Mart's underwriting announcments because they're delivered in the same manner?

oso · 5 years ago

No way - that's Terry Gross saying those announcements? I was sure it was a robot - or that "read text" function on an Apple.