There have been a few diaries about possible charges being filed in the Armstrong Williams case. I think I have an idea that we could actually get something to happen. I am looking for advice from the great minds of KOS.
My question is this. Would it be wise for a campain to be started to flood the FCC with Payola complaints? I got this from NORMAL.
The NORML Foundation filed the complaint with the FCC on Feb. 17, 2000 alleging that the ONDCP's practice of offering millions of additional advertising dollars for network programs that included anti-drug messages was in violation of the federal anti-payola statute. The FCC agreed, stating, "listeners and viewers are entitled to know by whom they are being persuaded." The networks were not fined by the FCC, but were put on notice. The FCC wrote in its decision, "sponsorship identification is required and we caution the networks to do so in the future."
Although this isn't an exact "apple to apple" comparison I think there is a possibility it could apply. The government paid an on air personality to "persuade" the public. By the FCC guidelines "sponsorship identification is required."