TV Firm's Deal With State Raises Eyebrows

From http://www.tulsaworld.com/ and http://www.newsok.com/ ~ The state is paying more than $3 million to an Oklahoma media company, Griffin Communications, to advertise a state insurance program and the company has promised to air television news stories on its Tulsa (KOTV) and Oklahoma City (KWTV) stations as part of the deal, records show.

One media analyst expressed concern that by taking state money, the company has compromised the integrity of its television news outlets.

“This kind of question arises when news media organizations try to diversify, when they are looking at more ways to make money,” said Joey Senat, associate professor of media law at Oklahoma State University. “It does create the potential for unethical behavior,” he said.

The key is whether a company discloses the sponsor of the information and “the number of walls they put between the newsroom and the other arm of the company doing the marketing,” Senat said.

David Griffin, president and chief executive officer of Oklahoma City-based Griffin Communications LLC, said the company believes in transparency.

“We don’t sell the news. We never have and we never will,” he said. “The spots that run match up to our commitment to Insure Oklahoma.”

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TvPoll: MSM Draws Negative Perception

The main stream media has lost its credibility if a new TvPoll for KWTV-Channel 9 is to be believed.

Pollsters asked, "Do you have an overall positive or negative perception of main-stream media?"

Only 22.9 percent said positive, while 60.7 percent said negative; 16.4 percent said they don't know or refused to answer.

The results come after nonstop attacks by some in the MSM on Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and controversy over allegations made against her.

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Consultant Caswell Responds To KWTV Report

Republican consultant Jessica Caswell, profiled in a KWTV-Channel 9 report on the GOP ethics controversy last night in which a former candidate questioned her abilities, said, "I am sure you saw the story last night on News 9, I thought you may be interested to know News 9 omitted my statement and never mentioned Judge Dennis Hladik's statement which would have specifically undermined Jeff Davis' credibility, since he recommended me to work for Judge Hladik. They have insulted my professionalism and omitted significant facts that would have challenged their story line. My statement is as follows:

"Lance Cargill is among numerous clients of mine including State Rep. Doug Cox , State District Judge Dennis Hladik, State Senator Anthony Sykes, State Rep. Randy Terrill and others for whom I’ve provided fundraising consultation.

"Concerning Jeff Davis, I was introduced to him and recommended to him by State Rep. Guy Liebmann, another client of mine.

"Unfortunately, Davis is now a disgruntled former client of mine who fired me and hired Kyle Loveless, a known political enemy of Speaker Cargill’s. I know that if you contact many of my other fundraising clients, they will assure you that I provide quality fundraising services. I would hope that any responsible news media outlet would include these positive statements about my work in any story.”

Caswell provided this statement from Hladik:

"Jessica Caswell has asked me to provide you with a reference.

"I met Ms. Caswell last year at the beginning of my election campaign for the position of District Judge for the 4th Judicial District. I learned of Ms. Caswell through Jeff Davis. Mr. Davis was a candidate for office and sending my mother a number of mailers which appeared to be effective and professionally prepared. Upon calling Mr. Davis, he referred me to Ms. Caswell.

"After checking her references, I hired Ms. Caswell to be my campaign manager. She organized my volunteers, prepared all of our mailers, produced our radio and TV ads, and made all of the ad buys. Ms. Caswell acted professionally throughout my campaign, and my wife and I were very pleased with her services. I would not hesitate to hire her again if the need arises."

Caswell added: "I am also aware that three lawmakers, Former Rep. Thad Balkman, Rep. Doug Cox, and Rep. Guy Liebmann also released positive statements about work I had done for them that News 9 never bothered to mention either."

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KWTV Examines GOP Ethics Controversy

Oklahoma City television station KWTV-Channel 9 is reporting it has examined Ethics Commission finance reports that seem to show money raised by a Republican House political action committee to support the Oklahoma Republican Party actually went to the Oklahoma County Republican Party. It has been reported that the Ethics Commission is investigating. KWTV reported it will have more on the story on Thursday night's newscasts.

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