Speaking of fake videos created by ExxonMobil-friendly spin doctors, according to Free Press and the Center for Media and Democracy, in June 2006 , the broadcast PR firm Medialink Worldwide put out a video news release (VNR) titled, “Global Warming and Hurricanes: All Hot Air?” Apparently, the segment was aired over WTOK in Mississippi. The firm identified “TCS Daily Science Roundtable” as the client behind the segment. But Medialink didn’t disclose that TCS Daily is a website published by Tech Central Station. As PR Watch-er John Stauber reports, ExxonMobil gave the Tech Central Science Foundation $95,000 in 2003, for “climate change support.
Tech Central Station is a climate change denial organ, owned and operated by DCI Group, a Washintgon PR/lobby company. You may remember DCI was recently ousted by the Wall Street Journal as the producers of an Al Gore spoof video posted on YouTube under the guise of an young amatuer video producer. Oh, and would it surprise you if I told you that the current CEO of the DCI Group, Doug Goodyear , was also heavily involved as a PR consultant in RJ Reynold’s efforts to manufacture a grassroots campaign against tougher tobacco laws.
If anyone is wondering what a Video News Release is, here is the VNR and here is what it looks like when media pick it up and use it.
