Stops Short of Recommending Penalties for "Fake News"

INDIANAPOLIS -- Television's use of unattributed video news releases is irresponsible, misleading and could lead to increased control of the content of news reports by federal regulators. The Society of Professional Journalists urges broadcast companies to set their own house in order by using extreme caution and full disclosure when airing VNRs.

This just in to the news desk...

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Seven "artists" have filed suit against New York City over its strict anti-graffiti law, saying it violated their constitutional right to free speech. The group argued in federal court that the city went too far by banning people under 21 from possessing spray paint or broad-tipped markers.

Gabriel Taussig, a lawyer for New York City, said the law "strikes a proper constitutional balance between the First Amendment rights (to free speech) and the need to control the long-standing plague of graffiti."

The law took effect at the start of the year.

City Councilman Peter Vallone wants to permanently erase the image of New York in the 1970s and 1980s, when graffiti, much of it obscene, covered subway cars and many buildings.

"Graffiti is on the rise. It's becoming glorified again. We don't have the police we used to and those we have are concentrating on terrorism," he said.

Of course, this is by way of analogy. My IT guy put the image in my head a few weeks ago and it stayed there. I think he's right. It absolutely captures, explains and puts in perspective all things PR blogging. It may forebode the future.