WJMK Inc.
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WJMK Inc. was a video production company, which in 2003 had produced controversial video news releases for paying clients made to resemble objective news broadcasts.
WJMK entered into business arrangement with Morley Safer and Walter Cronkite, (replacing Safer) and produced advertisements promoting WJMK services with pictures of Safer and Cronkite and the headline, “Producing shows with journalistic integrity hosted by award-winning journalists.” After an exposé of the company, Cronkite severed ties, and WJMK sued Cronkite for breach of contract — Cronkite countersued WJMK and its president Mark Kielar for 25 million USD.
[edit] Background
Jeff Cronin, who had been contacted by WJMK, made inquries into WJMK Inc. and concluded that the company had presented itself as a journalistic enterprise, while in fact was producing paid advertisements, including "advertorials for pharmaceutical companies." [1]
After an expose in the New York Times by Melody Peterson, Cronkite denounced the company and severed business relationship; he had been hired as a presenter by WJMK just a few months prior. WJMK sued Cronkite for breach of contract, and Cronkite countersued for $25 million USD, claiming the company used him “as a lure to solicit customers to fund advertorials and infomercials that masquerade as objective news stories.” Cronkite asked the court to permanently enjoin WJMK from using his name or likeness “in any video or otherwise.”
[edit] External links
- WJMK site - inactive
- Current.org story - by Jon Kalish, February 23, 2004
- Democracy Now story, and audio
