The big three television networks have cut back coverage of the two major political conventions this year to an all-time low, with network executives complaining that the Democrat and GOP gatherings are nothing but glorified political infomercials.
But at least two of the networks don't seem to mind infomercials - as long as they promote their own in-house products.
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The Washington Post recently offered a few stunning examples of how ABC and CBS use their airwaves to feather their own corporate nests.
Friday night, for instance, ABC's "20/20" covered the latest reality show to hit the airwaves, "Growing Up Gotti," a program that debuted last week on the Arts & Entertainment network chronicling the trials and tribulations of the Dapper Don's daughter Victoria and her three sons.
Unmentioned by ABC, however, was the fact that the network is a part owner of A&E.
Then there's CBS's "48 Hours," which recently examined the UPN program "America's Next Top Model," complete with an interview with contestant Yoanna House.
Viacom owns both CBS and UPN, which "48 Hours" at least noted.
CBS's "60 Minutes" has made a practice of touting books published by Simon & Schuster, which is also owned by Viacom - a fact it failed to acknowledge in book interviews with former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill and Bush-bashing ex-terrorism czar Richard Clark.
The Post also chided the Fox News Channel, which, unlike the networks, offered blanket convention coverage, for plans to run a half-hour infomercial for the 20th Century Fox movie "Alien vs. Predator" on Thursday.
Both FNC and 20th Century are owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.
Editor's note:
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Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
2004 Elections
Media Bias
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