BN’s PR slots get BBC, CNBC into trouble

UK-based FBC Media has been accused of flouting broadcasting regulations over its campaign to promote Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and other BN leaders.

KUALA LUMPUR: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has allegedly launched an investigation into programmes produced by FBC Media, the public relations company commissioned by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and several other Barisan Nasional leaders to prop up their political image.

FBC Media, which doubled up as a TV producer, has been accused of deceiving millions of viewers by purchasing airtime on networks such as BBC, US-based CNBC and CNN, with the aim of airing feel-good tales about Najib and the BN.

Najib administration had allegedly paid FBC Media RM57 million for a global television media campaign in 2008-2009. Another RM42 million was paid out last year for a ‘global strategic media campaign’.

BBC is believed to be the second network to launch an investigation into FBC Media’s activities.
In an e-mail to FMT yesterday, Sarawak Report editor/founder Clare Rewcastle Brown said CNBC had terminated its flagship business programme ‘World Business’ after the programme’s credibility was found to be questionable following an investigation into FBC Media.

“CNBC has axed the FBC show World Business. I think BBC will announce a similar action soon,” Clare said.

BBC and CNBC have been under tremendous pressure since Clare exposed FBC Media’s unethical practices on her blog Sarawak Report.

Earlier this week she revealed how BN politicians, including Najib, former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud and Sime Darby chairman Musa Hitam have been paying FBC Media millions of ringgit to buy themselves positive publicity on these networks.

According to Sarawak Report purchases of slots in this way was a ‘serious breach of broadcast laws for which broadcasters such as CNBC’s parent company NBC would ultimately be held responsible.”

The report also highlighted evidence from FBC’s previous annual reports which indicated that CNBC was getting the show for free and leaving it to FBC to raise their income and profits from “sponsorship”.

An embarrased CNBC vice-president of marketing and communications Charlotte Westgate was yesterday quoted as saying that the network was pulling back the series ‘World Business.’

Said Westgate: “In light of serious questions raised last week, CNBC immediately initiated an examination of FBC and its business practices and has withdrawn the programme ‘World Business’ indefinitely.”

Clare’s posting also noted that CNN had also aired several ‘suspect shows’ produced by FBC Media, including interviews with Najib. - FMT