Posted on 08/18/2007 3:10:26 PM PDT by Dan Nunn
In a letter to the FCC, Ralph Nader, the world's most visible consumer advocate, has requested an investigation into the advertising practices of General Motors with regard to several radio personalities.
The letter from Nader was prompted by an Automotive News article entitled, "Puff Piece. Rush Limbaugh is one of the radio personalities GM is working with to talk up its vehicles" (sub. req.). The article goes on to detail how the General has supplied DJs, broadcasters and Limbaugh with test vehicles, private meetings and VIP tours of GM facilities.
Nader contests that this type of promotion may be against FCC laws requiring disclosure of payments for endorsements. Some choice quotes from Limbaugh include, "GM has a ton of momentum," and, "GM cars and trucks have never been better."
Whether or not an investigation will take place is up to the FCC, but General Motors made it clear in a statement that everything they've done with broadcasters is above board and meets with the FCC's regulations.
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[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req., Nader.org]
PRESS RELEASE
Nader letter to FCC
The following is a letter from Ralph Nader to the FCC (appendices to the letter are available at Nader.Org):
Dear Ms. Monteith:
I am writing to ask that Federal Communications Commission (FCC) conduct an investigation of the activities of certain hosts of radio shows. (See Appendix One -- a list of radio hosts participating in the General Motors promotion effort).
On August 6, 2007, Automotive News, the leading trade journal for the automotive industry, reported that GM is wooing radio stars. Its article led with a headline: "Puff Piece. Rush Limbaugh is one of the radio personalities GM is working with to talk up its vehicles." (See Appendix Two -- Automotive News article: General Motors Payola GM woos the radio stars Rush, Whoopi and others plug vehicles on the air, by Mary Connelly.)
Automotive News Reporter Mary Connelly writes that "GM says it doesn't pay the stars directly for their endorsements, although it advertises on their shows. It gives them new GM cars and trucks to drive for two weeks each month. The company also invites the celebrities to Detroit for private meetings with top executives and VIP tours of GM facilities. The attention is paying off."
The article notes that Rush Limbaugh said, "GM has a ton of momentum," he exhaled, "GM cars and trucks have never been better."
But Rush Limbaugh doesn't stop there. He waxes further: "They [GM] are working hard and they are thinking smart. Believe in General Motors, folks." (See Appendix Three -- list of stations carrying the Rush Limbaugh Show.)
Dallas disc jockey Chris Ryan, might as well have been crossing over to his advertising buddies and doing the ad. But this was not ad time. This was program time when he declared: "Have you seen all the cool things that's going on at GM? I have. If you are thinking about a new car, you got to look at GM."
Section 47 U.S.C. section 317, requires broadcasters to disclose to their listeners or viewers if matter has been aired in exchange for money, services or other valuable consideration.
Section 47 U.S.C. section 508, requires that, when anyone provides or promises to provide money, services or other consideration to someone to include program matter in a broadcast, that fact must be disclosed in advance of the broadcast, ultimately to the station over which the matter is to be aired.
Based on this article, it appears that content of the broadcasts may violate the sponsorship identification rules.
In any event, the FCC needs to investigate. Secretary of Commerce, Herbert Hoover, later to become President in the nineteen twenties, called radio "a public trust." He believed the public airwaves, being owned by the people, should convey no advertisements whatsoever.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Ralph Nader
Secretary of Commerce, Herbert Hoover, later to become President in the nineteen twenties, called radio "a public trust." He believed the public airwaves, being owned by the people, should convey no advertisements whatsoever.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Did he really have to explain who Herbert Hoover was?
Nader’s time has passed. Unfortunatately, old hippies never die, they just smell that way. Nader is one of them.
Any raise of eyebrow from Ralph when ‘The Oprah’ let everyone think SHE was the good-hearted soul giving away new cars on HER show?
I am not defending Nader, but Rush talks about GM products as part of the content of his show.
Will the FCC ever uncover definitive proof that Nader is a Commie Douche?
What’s unbelievable is to hear a lib use Hoover as an authority! Hoover more or less followed the same failed policies as FDR, only he followed them first. Thereby, Roosevelt could blame all the bad results on Hoover while claiming all the good intentions.
grin
Ralphie-poo must be running out of serious causes to pursue.
He’s going after two things he hates with a passion:
Conservatives and General Motors.
But I truly wish him the best in any future Presidential campaigns!
I would urge Nader to run for President again in ‘08 on a third party ticket, that is what he is really good at.
Did he also write letters to the FCC about the non-disclosure of MSM promoting Liberal candidates continuosly, and being wined and dined at ALL DNC “press conferences”, while not disclosing the “compensation”?
He talks about Apple computers too and the joys of Florida.
If he believes it, I have no problem with it. If the products suck and he’s lying for profit... well..
If he knows it because they give him products to use — good PR sometimes works.
Ralph and GM goes way back. Both will be never be happy until the other is dead and buried. Unfortunately, if Nader got his wish, millions of Americans would be unemployed. Maybe Ralph is even angling for another big settlemen from GM—he got one exceeding $400K back in the 60s.
It may be unpopular to say here, but Nader’s reforms probably have saved a lot of lives—including his push for automotive safety when no else gave a rat’s ass.
And he’ll always have a soft spot in my hear for helping defeat Gore in ‘00. Without him, the Gorester would probably be preparing for his third term by now and half of America wouldn’t know it—’cause they’d be without electricity.
Rush gives Apple computers plenty of promo, should the FCC check that out?
I may be wrong but I thought there is/was a requirement that if you endorsed a product on air you had to have personal experience with the product. i.e. Paul Harvey endorses a mattress I think it is called a tempurpedic or something like that and he clearly says has one. Tiger Woods also is now shown in adds with the new Buick SUV and I know he drives one, so what is Naders problem?
I think if Nader feels this passionately about it he should run for President. RUN, RALPH, RUN!
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