Broadcasters/Journos in Ads: Conflicts of Interest

uvox

Interesting article in today's Sunday Tribune (it happens) about Colum Kenny of DCU and the BAI (and who is also published regularly in the Sindo) saying that "broadcasters and journalists who appear in advertisements should be subject to strict regulations to avoid possible conflicts of interest" and that "a register of interests had become necessary as increasing numbers of broadcasters endorse products and brands. "

http://www.tribune.ie/news/home-news/article/2010/jul/18/academic-slams-tv-celebrities-conflict-of-interest/

Completely agree. I am surprised it has taken so long for this to be mooted.

Rather short list of journos and broadcasters published by the Turbine though.

Would love to see this issue pushed more instead of some of the non-stories recently.

jdivision

They get away with it cos they're not members of the NUJ. I remember a mate of mine before who was a newsreader got a contract to read out the following day's headlines for a national newspaper (I won't say which in order not to identify him)
So something like:
In tomorrow's Irish Express
AN Other on the health sector
What now for Brian Cowen
Breezy feature idea

And the NUJ contacted him and made him give up doing it.

Robert McGrath

I can see how this would be a problem if the journalist is a current affairs broadcasterm i.e. George Hook or Mark Little, but is it really an issue for say Lucy Kennedy?

flogen

Lucy Kennedy doesn't have any pretense of being a journalist.

On the other hand Brendan O'Connor is actually described as a journalist in the ads he does for Mace.