The following is from a news release that stemmed from a report of widespread use of fake news broadcasts on local newcasts, including LA, from The Center for Media and Democracy . Some may remember I wrote a column about it.

WASHINGTON – Los Angeles’ KABC-TV 7 and KCBS-TV 2 are two of the 77 stations under investigation by the FCC for using corporate-sponsored “video news releases� (VNRs) — segments promoting commercial brands and products — as a part of their newscasts without disclosing the sources of the materials to viewers.

The FCC has sent letters to the 77 broadcasters asking for copies of the video releases in question and any agreements between the stations and the companies, government agencies or public relations firms involved in supplying them