Which Way, L.A.?
The LA Times and "Sponsored Content"
There's supposed to be an unbreachable wall between news stories and advertising, but more and more advertising is designed to look like news. The LA Times is among the financially strapped publications that take money to produce articles that promote special interest groups. They're not written by news reporters, but how's a reader to know? Even if there's clear labeling, will doubts be raised about credibility?
By Warren Olney • • 23m ListenThere's supposed to be an unbreachable wall between news stories and advertising, but more and more advertising is designed to look like news. The LA Times is among the financially strapped publications that take money to produce articles that promote special interest groups. They're not written by news reporters, but how's a reader to know? Even if there's clear labeling, will doubts be raised about credibility?
Later on the program, persuading homeless people to evacuate dangerous places before the El Niño deluge.
Photo: Ryan Quick
In this episode
2 storiesThe LA Times and "Sponsored Content"
The LA Times, cooperating with the Columbia School of Journalism, recently published a hard-hitting series on Exxon. It exposed the oil giant for casting doubt on climate change and opposing emission controls at the same time its own researchers were proving that climate change was real.
Read the story14 minHeavy Rains May Threaten Hundreds of LA's Homeless
Hundreds of homeless people are living in dangerous places, including storm channels that have been dry during years of drought but which could become raging torrents when the Niño works a massive change in the weather.
Read the story9 min
