CBSNEWS PUSHED BOOK IT OWNS; '60 MINUTES' DID NOT REVEAL PARENT COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STAKE IN CLARKE PROJECT
CBSNEWS did not inform its viewers last night that its parent company owns and has a direct financial stake in the success of the book by former White House terror staffer turned Bush critic, Dick Clarke, the DRUDGE REPORT can reveal.
60 MINUTES aired a double-segment investigative report on the new book "Against All Enemies" -- but did not disclose how CBSNEWS parent VIACOM is publishing the book and will profit from any and all sales!
ETHICAL BREACH
CBS even used heavy promotion for the 60 MINUTES/book launch during its Sunday sports shows.
It is not clear who made the final decision at CBSNEWS not to inform the viewer during 60 MINUTES how they were watching a news story about a VIACOM product.
60 MINUTES pro Lesley Stahl is said to have been aware of the conflict before the program aired.
[CBSNEWS.COM did add a disclaimer to its Internet coverage of the book over the weekend: "Against All Enemies," which is being published Monday by FREE PRESS, a subsidiary of SIMON & SCHUSTER. Both CBSNews.com and SIMON & SCHUSTER are units of VIACOM." MediaMergingMania.]
Earlier this year, it was Stahl who also profiled another author on 60 MINUTES -- for another book owned by VIACOMCBS -- without any disclaimer!
"The Price of Loyalty" by former Treasury Secretary of Paul O'Neill was financed, produced and released [and rolled-out at CBSNEWS] by VIACOM's SIMON & SCHUSTER.
Coming in future weeks, best-selling author Bob Woodward is set to release his PLAN OF ATTACK, a fresh look exploring the Bush White House.
The Woodward VIACOMSIMON&SCHUSTER product is expected to debut on VIACOMSIMON&SCHUSTERCBS's 60 MINUTES.
With ownership disclaimer?