Tea is better than water! says new "study" by Tea Companies

Ok first of all, let me say that I like tea and am trying to drink more of it, but it's not the subject of this article that bothers me so much as the format and whole premise behind the story.  Read the last sentence.  I think we should just say this: if a "study" was funded by a company with a clear interest in the result of the study then it's not a STUDY at all, it's a Public Relations promo.  Denigrates the whole idea of research, if you ask me.

And why should they get free advertising simply for framing it within the format of a news story?  You'd think the BBC would be smarter than this.  C'mon you're giving something away for free that you should be charging them for (ad space).  You're losing money on this deal while also contributing to the blurring of the line between news and advertising.  Shame on you.  I expect better of the BBC (but unfortunately I think this is quite common for them and many other news outlets).

Newsflash: New Study by PR industry says making ads appear like hard news increases profits! (duh!)

Comments

[Alison]

It's like the "story" that drinking milk can help you lose weight. That bit of evidence? Funded by the American Dairy Board (or whatever it's called.) Yah.

[tom]

of course you are right on with this critique. my understanding is that a big reason news agencies use these stories is because they are provided ready to publish or put on tv. so the news companies save money as they can fire their investigative reporters and publish industry promotions. it probably does make economic sense. if i think about, why do they care about me anyway? i am not a good consumer, i don't go out and buy the products that are advertised. i guess if i want any say in the commercial news media, i better start consuming more advertised crap!

but wait, bbc doesn't have adds yet do they? i guess i'll just go back to the cost saving argument for them. good investigative journalism isn't cheap.

we are sure lucky to have so many dedicated folks in the indy media. so i guess we should focus on continuing to promote those sources, democracy now sure seems to be getting to more & more folks. i had a friend who got a satellite dish, started watching democracy now & he has totally changed/increased his perspectives on the world.

[barb]

yeah, good point about the cost of journalism/research. of course they wouldn't do something if they don't get more out of it than they put in. it's just great when you see such a blatant example of it like this one.

[Paul -V-]

Like I needed an excuse to drink more Yerbe Matte.

[Heather Yaxley]

Even worse is how the BBC promotes its own programmes (even entertainment ones) as news.

I think such "surveys" are lazy PR, but it is no wonder that the tactic gets used when the media so readily "reports" without any sense of critical perspective. The study is said to be independent of its sponsors (mentioned only in the last para when the message has already been conveyed). But one wonders if the release would have been issued if the findings hadn't been in favour of the sponsor.

[prof black woman]

HA! And spoiled Nestle Baby Formula is better than Breast Milk. El President is better at quenching your thirst than water . . . ahhh capitalism.