-Caveat Lector- <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/"> </A> -Cui Bono?- (Government censorship? --SW) Networks reportedly given financial incentive for anti-drug episodes Copyright © 2000 Nando Media Copyright © 2000 Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO (January 13, 2000 7:37 a.m. EST http://www.nandotimes.com) - The federal government gave up its right to network advertising time in a deal to promote anti-drug messages on some of the nation's most popular TV shows, Salon.com reported this week. The exchange allowed the networks to earn $25 million by reselling the ad time at higher prices, according to reports published Wednesday by the online news and arts company headquartered in San Francisco. Salon.com, without citing sources, said shows that have participated since the program began are NBC's top- rated "ER," CBS's "Chicago Hope," and ABC's "The Practice" and now-canceled "Home Improvement." "Cosby," "Providence," "The Drew Carey Show," "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and "General Hospital" also reportedly participated. Former Federal Communication Commission chief counsel Robert Corn-Revere called the arrangement "insidious." "Government surreptitiously planting anti-drug messages using the power of the purse raises red flags," he told Salon.com. "Why is there no disclosure to the American public?" The arrangement began after Congress approved a five-year, $1 billion program to pay for anti-drug advertising in 1997. Networks were persuaded to sell advertising at half-price so the government could actually get $2 billion worth of ads. However, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy later gave up some unused advertising time, allowing networks to sell it for full price. The office also agreed to credit networks for unused ad spots based on the length of anti-drug episodes and the number of viewers who watched. "I know it's allowed us to make some deals we wouldn't normally make before," said Alan Levitt, the drug-policy official running the campaign. "We can make it more flexible for (media outlets)." As part of the program, the White House office's former ad-buying firm occasionally reviewed scripts under development and commented on them, said Kayne Lanahan, senior vice president at News Corp. One, the media and marketing arm of the Fox network. Rosalyn Weinman, NBC's executive vice president for content policy and East Coast entertainment, said the network and the anti-drug office had conversations when the office had "specific concerns." She said there was no "script approval." A CBS spokesman said the network was "proud to be working with the government in regard to the war on drugs." Rob Dwek, Fox's former executive vice president of comedy and drama series, said the financial incentives had "no impact on what we do creatively." An executive at UPN confirmed its participation in the program, while officials at ABC declined to comment. Salon.com quoted an unidentified contractor for the drug office as saying "Smart Guy" on the WB network was altered after the contractor complained that two kids using drugs were depicted as being cool and popular. Rick Mater, WB's senior vice president for broadcast standards, confirmed that the White House "did sign off" on scripts. Levitt said in "almost every instance" people with creative control of the shows did not know about the program. "I had not a clue about any financial incentives," said John Tinker, the executive producer last season of "Chicago Hope." "It smells manipulative. All of this is disturbing." The arrangement was lambasted by media critics. "It sounds to me like a form of propaganda that is, in effect, for sale," said Bill Kovach, curator of the Nieman Foundation. He called it a "form of mind control." Levitt, who confirmed the basic outlines of the program, defended it. "The government is not dictating these changes. We will provide an incentive, a financial incentive," he said. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soap-boxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. 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