Judith Phair, president of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), testified on Capitol Hill last week that the PRSA would support a temporary amendment requiring
disclosure of government video news releases (VNRs) but oppose frame-by-frame identification sought by Senators John Kerry and Frank Lautenberg.
"Disclosure to the public is ultimately the responsibility of broadcasters," Phair told the Senate subcommittee. "By proscribing the specifics of disclosure to be used in the
production of government-sponsored VNRs, [the Kerry-Lautenberg bill] could cause broadcasters not to use the information at all."
Doug Simon, president of DS Simon Productions (New York City), which produces VNRs, was among those who endorsed the bill, which is supported by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC). "Not only do the journalistic gatekeepers need to know the original funding source of VNR material, but the public has the right to know," Simon said.