Is it legal for a journalist to accept money from the Government . . .

[frankly_fedup2]

to promote some of a certain party's policys?

Education Department Paid Journalist

<http://start.earthlink.net/article/pol?guid=20050107/41de1750_3ca6_1552620050107-704167041>

[Lerkfish]

1. its unethical.

certainly unethical without a doubt. But as for the "legality", I have no idea. I don't think any journalist is REQUIRED to act ethically by law, but certainly the industry takes a dim view. This fellow would be hard pressed to secure any future employment.

[yellowcanine]

2. The crime is giving the public money in the 1st place. I believe there

was actually a law passed recently - maybe during the Clinton administration, that made it a crime for a government agency to pay money to an individual or group for propaganda. So it is the Education Dept and whoever approved this that is in deep doo doo.

[indepat]

3. Unethical, unsmecthical: winning is the only thing that counts

[Jack Rabbit]

4. It's unethical, even when it's legal

Mr. Williams accepted money from a particular concern to advocate a particular point of view. I heard a commentator on NPR (I believe he ios an executive at CNN) flatly call Williams a "whore" for his behavior.

However, to make matters worse, that was taxpayer money. The Bushies had no right to use public funds to push their agenda. It is no better than using taxpayer dollars to promote partisan candidates. The administration violated the law. Again.

If the Bushies wanted to use GOP funds or private corporate funds for this purpose, that would have been legal. However, it still does not cast a good light on Mr. Williams.

[democracyindanger]

5. Illegal

http://www.slaughter.house.gov/HoR/Louise/News/Press+Releases+By+Date/2005+Press+Releases/01-07-05.htm

The law requires broadcasters to disclose when subject matter is being broadcast "in exchange for money, service or other valuable consideration"(47 U.S.C. § 317). Any individual who accepts payment without making this disclosure violates federal law and is subject to a maximum penalty of $10,000 in fines and a year in prison (47 U.S.C. § 508).

[The Zanti Regent]

6. Republicans are above the law, they can do whatever they want.

Why some Republicans kill in cold blood and one gets a show on MS NBC, while another one killed in cold blood and is now First Lady...