They're at it again. Propaganda disguised as "news".

[johnaries]

On a local Nashville, TN channel WUXP Channel 30 broadcast from 6:30 to 7:00 CDT tonight I watched a program called "Health Care Crisis: A Cure for Health Care?".

It was listed as a "Series/Special" by DishTV, but it was obviously a paid program because it had no commercials. It was in a format identical to a "News Special", except no newsman - local or otherwise - ever wore a hairpiece as horrible as the main "anchor". I'm serious, Donald Trump would have been green with envy over this monstrosity. If I had been on the set, I would have grabbed a shotgun and a long pole, run over to him and said in a whisper "don't move, stand perfectly still, I don't know what it is, but I'll knock it off, you jump out of the way, and then I'll kill it. On the count of three.. one, two...).

ANYWAY, in a manner of "appearing" to be "fair and balanced" that would have made FOX proud, it continued with it's fake news report. They "sent a reporter" to Panama to examine Universal Health Care and (of course) focused on long wait times. (Big surprise there, huh?)

Then they decided to report on the Town Hall Debates and "What is behind the anger"? Oh, boy, I thought. Maybe they'll actually expose the AstroTurf movement? Nope! It just gave them the opportunity to try and build support for the teabaggers. Their conclusion: it was triggered by what they deemed "a summer of discontent." They even interviewed some guy that the captions labeled as a "Professor of Rhetoric". WTF? WTH is a "Professor of Rhetoric"? What are the requirements for that degree? Can I get one? I think I certainly deserve one.

A word of caution here - I don't blame the station for accepting a paid program or the content thereof. Their kids need to eat, too! They didn't give the usual "this doesn't reflect the views" etc. bullshit, but before I condemn I want to find out the source of the "news program". I don't want the local station to circle the wagons before we go after the source. Here is the email I am sending them:

On 9/12/09 from 6:30 to 7:00 you aired a paid program that disguised itself as a "news report". It's obvious that it was a paid program because there were no commercials. However, it ran overlong and at the end when I was waiting for the paid programming info you cut in with your regular programming.
I need to know who paid for that programming. It was called "Health Care Crisis: A Cure for Health Care?". Luckily, I am a well-informed citizen and did not fall for it's obviously biased presentation. I am not faulting your station, because I know you only sell air-time and I enjoy your programming regularly. But the presentation itself was dishonest and I need to know who paid for it so I can help counter their mis-information. All I need is the name of the buyer of the airtime. Thank you in advance for your help in this matter. -John

[johnaries]

1. UPDATE

I've tried to send my email several times, but I keep getting the error response "NO GOOD EMAIL RECIPIENTS"

So, I am going to call them on Monday, during business hours. Anyone else who wants to may call as well:

631 Mainstream Drive
Nashville, TN 37228
[phone]

Remember, be nice and respectful. We need to find the source of the propaganda.

[Deja Q]

2. Lots of long waiting periods in the US too...

:(

[Rosa Luxemburg]

4. yes people have to wait months in the US

[liberal N proud]

3. They have not been to an emergency room lately