Senator Wants FCC To Look Harder Into 'Fake News'

Sen Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) says "folks have enough problems with credibility right now without fake news being aired." She's infuriated by ads that mimic newscasts, with actors or even news anchors from a TV station being paid "to pretend like it is a newscast, with a ticker running underneath." Sen McCaskill said it was "unconscionable," and added that she was particularly concerned about stimulus money ads masquerading as news. Sen McCaskill said she was "amazed" that journalists had not complained more about the ads, though she said it may be because they were too focused on trying to keep their jobs. Citing FCC action two years ago against Comcast, McCaskill conceded the FCC had taken some "limited action" already, but said she would contact the commission for an update given her continuing concerns. But she also wanted to know what the Federal Trade Commission could do about it, asking why there wasn't a way for the FTC to say: "You can't do that. You can't pretend like you are broadcasting news when it is a paid advertisement."