Is This No Longer Enforced? (Patreon)

Years ago, if you worked at a TV station you were strictly warned about Payola/Plugola and the FCC guidelines against the practice.

If you don't know what it is, here is a brief explanation.

And this is how talent and stations should adhere to the rules on Payola/Plugola.

As I said, back in the day this was stressed to you how important these rules are and stressed that you MUST follow them.

It has been quite some time since I worked in a TV newsroom, and I'm wondering if this still a policy. I know it is still an FCC policy, but I'm talking about with media companies. I feel like many have just ignored these rules and stations have done the same.

Above is a video of KQDS (Duluth) Dan Hanger pitching an eyeglass store and the store's manager. He then offers viewers a discount and admits that he also got a discount as well. There is no labeling on the screen to say that this is an ad, but it surely comes off as one.

It would seem strange to place a non identified ad into the middle of the newscast, but then again, he has seemed to be happing more often.

We have all seen the polls in which trust in TV. news is at an all-time low, and I have to wonder if stuff like this is one of the reasons why?