Isn there any way to tell which segments are fake TV news?
Unfortunately, there’s no foolproof method for viewers to identify provided VNR footage or sponsored SMT “interviews.” Broadcast PR firms are adroit at getting across their clients’ messages while maintaining a TV news-like tone, and some TV news is bad or even promotional, without being sponsored by undisclosed clients. To make matters even more confusing, this report documents TV stations adding some VNR footage to other footage the station generated itself, and in two cases editing out all or nearly all of the VNR’s promotional aspects. Without full disclosure, there’s simply no way to know.
