Dumb idea of the day

An FCC commissioner urged an FCC investigation into product placement in news and entertainment TV and said shows should disclose to viewers when advertisers have paid for mentions or placement.

Seems like a good idea at first, but it's really nothing. Suppose the FCC issues a disclosure rule, or broadcasters voluntarily begin to make such disclosures. You know where the disclosures will end up? Not in some noticeable bar at the bottom of the screen -- that would be too effective. They'll end up in the credits for the show -- yes, those credits that are squeezed to the point of illegibility while the network uses most of the space to advertise what's coming up next.

Instead of this complete waste of time, make the networks and advertisers fund public education campaigns, and show spots on the air that work to counter rampant commercialism -- just as tobacco companies are now forced to do.

TV advertising, product placement, FCC