The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "television advertising" ...
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On-Line Filters
A WFXT-TV investigation of on-line filters designed to block children's access to certain inappropriate websites reveals that they don't work as well as they're advertised. "As it turns out, filters aren't all that effective and the software companies don't advertise that fact. So parents may not be paying attention to where their kids surf on the web, thinking that filters are keeping them out of adult web sites."
Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT filters; on-line; websites; internet; computers; pornography
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"What some car dealers don't want you to know"
KCBS-TV's undercover investigation "exposes how some major Los Angeles car dealerships were secretly and illegally overcharging car buyers - especially minority customers." In a three-month investigation KCBS-TV found that major car dealerships, some of which were even station advertisers, were inflating car prices by adding unnecessarily expensive options and raising interest rates. Some dealers forced Spanish speaking customers into signing contracts in English, which is a violation of California law.
Tags: VIDEOCLIP; TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; automobiles; fraud; car dealerships; California; Web coverage
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The Fall of Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush
The series "disclosed misconduct on the part of Chuck Quackenbush, California's second elected insurance commissioner." The reporter found out that he "made secret deals with major insurance companies that allowed them to escape fines for mishandling hundreds, perhaps thousands, of claims relating to the devastating 1994 Northridge earthquake." The stories reported that "Quackenbush had ignored recommendations form his legal staff that some of the big insurers in the state be fined hundreds of millions of dollars for mishandling Northridge claims. Instead, Quackenbush and his senior staff bullied insurers into "donating" more than $ 12 million to nonprofit foundations he created." The reporter found confidential documents to prove that the state regulator "used public funds and the power of his office to create a political slush fund, directed by highly paid consultants, to further his quest for higher public office." Quackenbush used some of the money to "repay his wife for personal loans she made to her failed state Senate campaign." After the misconduct had been revealed, the commissioner faced state's and federal probe of corruption and finally resigned. The reporter found out that in his "final days as insurance commissioner, Chuck Quackenbush approved contracts obligating California taxpayers to pay more than $ 1 million in legal fees to lawyers representing his commissioner and his top staff in investigations of wrongdoing."
Tags: politics; campaign; contributions; donations; political finance reports; Department of Insurance; foundations; nonprofit; television advertising; corruption; earthquake; California; impeachment; taxpayers; FBI
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Too Little Time
Politics and the broadcast industry: a match made in heaven for both, or so says Paul Taylor in this Washington Monthly piece. Taylor writes about, among other things, how broadcasters profit from campaign advertising. "Certain kinds of advertisers...simply have no choice but to reach for the biggest megaphone in town. That's still broadcast television."
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The Underground Auto Mart
WOOD-TV found Michigan regulators cannot protect consumers against unlicensed auto dealers because of weak state laws. WOOD-TV's investigation found some cars advertised as "for sale by owner" were actually being sold by illicit dealers. The story shows dealers were selling cars with rolled back odometers and hidden mechanical problems. Wronged consumers had no recourse against sellers they couldn't locate later and could get no help from state agents.
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Evangelist of Hate
The Daily Advertiser investigates self-styled Klansman Darrell Flinn, who gained national exposure after an arrest related to his public access TV show "The Klan in Akadiana". Flinn describes himself as a minister, an adherent of a religious philosophy that forbids interracial romance, a promoter of "white pride," an advocate of non-violent methods to fight reverse discrimination, a man who upholds family values. But the series revealed Flinn abused his ex-wife, shared an apartment with a black woman and failed to pay child support for two of his children. (Dec. 17-20, 1996)
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Travel Scams
The investigation found many vacation travel deals to be scams. Consumers were victims of misleading advertisements and fraudulent operators. The response from TV viewers inspired a follow-up story on the World Connections Travel Club. (May 22 - 24 & July 26, 1995)
Tags: Kelly Mays Travel scams Contest entry Deceptive advertising 18 pgs. TAPE
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No title (id: 9220)
CNN series, "The Ad Police," tracks the television ad campaign in the 1992 presidential race; finds and exposes lies and misrepresentations in political advertisements by the Brown, Clinton, Bush and Buchanan campaigns, January - November 1992.
Tags: Brooks Jackson tape
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Read This
Common Cause Magazine looks at advertising and how it dominates American life, and outlines how the entertainment and advertising industries are merging efforts to promote consumerism.
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WJCT/Rebman Investigation
WJXT-TV (Jacksonville, Fla.) reveals that "five percent of every piece of antique furniture sold through televised public fund-raisers at six PBS stations went directly into the pocket of the president and general manager of Jacksonville's PBS station, WJCT, Channel 7, instead of toward purchasing programming, as was advertised. The trustees of WJCT set-up a phony charity to stage the shows at their own and other PBS stations, as well as legitimize the pay arrangement to the general manager."