TELEVISION CHARITY DRIVES

Television stations in the Washington metropolitan area have started enlisting local companies as sponsors for their holiday charity fund-raising drives, but critics say the news stations are acting unethically, reports The Washington Post. The broadcasters require their corporate sponsors to buy TV ads that promote the charitable campaigns and the companies’ involvement, while the stations often feature their sponsors on news reports about the drives, but usually without disclosing to viewers the financial connection. Station representatives have said such fund-raising efforts benefit charities more than anyone else, but other observers say they may violate journalism ethics.