Free Press Says TV Stations Aren't Following the Money

NAB points to examples of stations keeping tabs on political spenders and ad claims

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 9/24/2012 1:18:54 PM

Free Press released a content analysis of news coverage in swing states on Monday that said TV stations there were not reporting on the groups pouring political money into the station's ad budgets or fact-checking the commercials.

"In exchange for this massive influx of political cash, broadcasters must do a better job of exposing the groups and individuals funding political ads in their markets, and addressing the falsehoods presented in many of these spots," said Free Press senior director of strategy Timothy Karr in unveiling the analysis.

Free Press said that in one market, while there was no reporting on 17 groups buying political time, there were some 53 stories on Justin Bieber.

The National Association of Broadcasters had no comment on the report, but did point to stories on a number of stations across the country that were fact-checking ads or following the money trail.