6 chapters across the catalog
NPR Corporate Underwriting, Lady Gaga Marketing Stunts
NPR is criticized for its reliance on corporate underwriting and for reporting on a "leak" of Lady Gaga's single "Applause" as a genuine news event. The analysis suggests the leak was a coordinated marketing stunt to promote her album "Artpop." A review of Gaga's Twitter feed found no evidence of the artist complaining about the leak, contradicting NPR's reporting.
Public Broadcasting Model and the Rejection of Advertising
The hosts examine the financial model of No Agenda, comparing it to the direct support systems of PBS and NPR. They play a clip of an NPR executive admitting that "underwriting" is essentially advertising. Curry and Dvorak explain their decision to avoid advertisers to maintain editorial independence and prevent corporate influence from companies like Monsanto or Archer Daniels Midland.
NPR Corporate Underwriting and Five-Hour Energy Promotion
NPR is accused of running a "promotional scam" by airing a five-minute segment on Five-Hour Energy and its founder, Manoj Bhargava, without explicitly disclosing the company's status as a major corporate underwriter. The segment featured a reporter "hooked" on the product, which the hosts argue blurs the line between journalism and advertising. NPR currently has 175 corporate underwriters but rarely provides on-air disclaimers during related stories.
NPR Corporate Underwriting, Advertising Revenue Decline
NPR CEO Vivian Schiller acknowledged that corporate underwriting, which functions as advertising, has declined significantly due to the recession. Despite its public radio branding, the network increasingly relies on sponsorship messages from major corporations like Chase to fund its operations.
NPR and PBS Funding, Corporate Underwriting
The funding structure of NPR and PBS is analyzed, specifically the reliance on corporate underwriting from companies like General Electric and Monsanto. It is argued that this "sponsorship" is indistinguishable from traditional advertising and creates a conflict of interest that prevents these outlets from reporting critically on their donors.
NPR Corporate Underwriting, Advertising in Public Radio
Vivian Schiller, CEO of NPR, admitted in a press meeting that corporate underwriting is essentially advertising by another name. While sponsorship revenue has declined due to the recession, Schiller noted that individual donations remain stable. The hosts argue that NPR's reliance on large corporate sponsors contradicts its image as a purely listener-supported public service.
