Local TV Stations Air Amazon-Scripted Segments Without Disclosure: A Corporate Messaging Scandal

In May 2020, a troubling incident exposed how local TV stations across the United States aired identical segments promoting Amazon's efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. These segments, scripted and produced by Amazon’s PR team, were broadcast on at least 11 local TV stations without clear disclosure of their source. The segments were designed to highlight Amazon's measures to protect employees while ensuring the timely delivery of goods during the health crisis.

The content, presented as a special report or exclusive feature, was essentially a corporate message in the guise of news. It included pre-recorded footage of Amazon's fulfillment centers and interviews with employees, all narrated by Amazon spokesperson Todd Walker, who was introduced as a "reporter" despite his role as a PR manager for the company. In some cases, TV anchors simply read the scripted segment without acknowledging Amazon's involvement, misleading viewers into believing it was independent journalism.

Stations that aired the segments included WTVJ-NBC in Miami, WKRN-ABC in Nashville, and WLEX-NBC in Lexington. Most of them did not reveal the Amazon connection, leading to concerns about the transparency and ethical implications of the practice. Only a few, such as Toledo's WTVG, clarified that the content had been produced by Amazon. The segments, which resembled infomercials rather than objective reporting, raised alarms about the growing influence of corporate interests in local news.

In response to the backlash, Amazon defended its actions, claiming that the video and script were made available through press releases as part of their effort to inform the public about the company's operations during the pandemic. Amazon stated that the segments were designed to provide insight into their business practices, emphasizing that they were open to media visits and providing footage to help reporters cover the story.

This incident serves as a reminder of the blurred lines between journalism and corporate messaging, especially in an age where resource constraints in newsrooms have led some stations to rely on content from outside sources. It highlights the growing challenge of maintaining journalistic integrity in a landscape where press releases, promotional material, and news coverage often overlap.

Saturday Night Live’s "Close Encounter" Sketch Delivers A Rare Laugh

 

Before Saturday Night Live turned into a cesspool of left wing identity politics, it actually used to have funny sketches, yes really! Here is one of Saturday Night Live’s most memorable sketches, "Close Encounter," which had viewers in stitches with its bizarre take on alien abduction. The sketch, which aired in 2015, starred Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong, and Ryan Gosling. It quickly became a fan favourite thanks to its absurd humour and the cast’s struggle to keep a straight face.

The scene featured three abductees recounting their experiences to government agents. While two described peaceful, almost enlightening encounters, McKinnon’s character, Colleen Rafferty, told a much stranger and more uncomfortable story. Her gritty, awkward retelling, involving embarrassing indignities and harsh treatment from the aliens, contrasted sharply with the others' serene descriptions.

Ryan Gosling famously broke character, struggling to hold back laughter as McKinnon delivered her lines with deadpan precision. The sketch’s success led to multiple follow-ups featuring Colleen’s continued misfortunes with extraterrestrial life. "Close Encounter" became a standout SNL moment, proving how contagious genuine laughter could be.

Why Walkers Crisps Have Confusing Packet Colours, Why Did They Swap Colours?

 

If you have ever grabbed a bag of crisps, only to be surprised by the flavour inside, you are not alone. Walkers, one of the UK’s most beloved crisp brands, made a bold decision in the 1980s that still confuses snack lovers today. They switched the colours of two of their most popular flavours, breaking away from the traditional colour schemes used by other brands.

Typically, salt and vinegar crisps come in blue packaging, while cheese and onion come in green. But Walkers flipped the script, making their cheese and onion crisps blue and their salt and vinegar crisps green. This change was not a mistake but a deliberate marketing choice to set themselves apart from competitors like Golden Wonder. The switch helped Walkers build a unique brand identity, even if it left customers scratching their heads.

Despite ongoing debates and calls to revert the colours, Walkers has stuck to their decision. Generations have now grown up associating blue with cheese and onion, proving just how powerful branding can be. Love it or hate it, the colour swap remains one of the most talked-about quirks in British snack history.

And no, this is not the Mandela Effect!

COMPETITION: Win The Penguin on 4K UHD Steelbook

From Warner Bros. Television And DC Studios, THE PENGUIN, starring Colin Farrell, is available to buy on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K UHD Steelbook NOW!

And to celebrate, we have a great competition for you and a chance to win a copy on 4K UHD Steelbook 

Synopsis:

The eight-episode limited DC Studios series continues filmmaker Matt Reeves’ epic crime saga and global blockbuster “The Batman.”

Developed by showrunner Lauren LeFranc, the five star-rated series centers on the character played by Farrell in the film, alongside Cristin Milioti (Sofia Falcone), Rhenzy Feliz (Victor Aguilar), Michael Kelly (Johnny Viti), Shohreh Aghdashloo (Nadia Maroni), Deirdre O’Connell (Francis Cobb), Clancy Brown (Salvatore Maroni), James Madio (Milos Grapa), Scott Cohen (Luca Falcone), Michael Zegen (Alberto Falcone), Carmen Ejogo (Eve Karlo) and Theo Rossi (Dr. Julian Rush).

Out Now at - https://amzn.to/43S5Afj

Enter now for a chance to win.

Which actor plays Sofia Falcone in The Penguin?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions

1. Closing date 31-03-25

2. No alternative prize is available

3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.

4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

Tornado Strikes Near FOX 35 Studios During Live Broadcast - Seminole County, Florida

 

A powerful storm swept through Seminole County, Florida, on Monday morning, bringing an apparent tornado that tore across the area, including the WOFL FOX 35 TV studios in Lake Mary. The sudden burst of extreme weather unfolded while meteorologist Brooks Garner was on air, warning viewers to take shelter as the storm intensified.

As the storm closed in, FOX 35 staff worked to keep viewers informed, even as the weather outside grew more dangerous. Garner remained focused on delivering life-saving information, urging residents to seek safety as the tornado threat became more severe. The station's live coverage offered a stark reminder of the unpredictability and force of nature, with the storm passing dangerously close to their own building.

Despite the chaotic conditions, FOX 35 continued their broadcast, showing unwavering dedication to keeping the public updated during the severe weather event. The incident highlighted not only the strength of the storm but also the resilience of those working to inform and protect the community.

The Decline of Search Engines: A Digital Hellscape

 

There was a time when Google felt like a gateway to knowledge. No ads, no noise, just a simple page that loaded in seconds and helped you find exactly what you needed. The company’s mission was clear: to make the world’s information universally accessible and useful. But in 2025, using the internet can feel more like wading through an endless swamp of spam, clickbait, and artificial clutter.

The shift is impossible to ignore. Where search engines once provided straightforward results, users now often feel like they are negotiating with an uncooperative robot, hoping it understands their query. Even then, the results can be a chaotic mess. A viral Reddit thread illustrated this perfectly when a user searched for news about John Wick 5 and was bombarded with fake AI-generated trailers, incorrect director names, and speculative articles. Actual information was buried under layers of misleading content, only surfacing after scrolling through countless irrelevant results.

This is not just anecdotal frustration. Studies show search engines are struggling to fight back against SEO spam. The top results are no longer the most reliable or relevant. They are simply the most successful at gaming the algorithm. As a result, users often click on poorly written, low-quality content designed purely to climb the rankings, rather than offering anything of substance.

Google’s response has been to introduce AI-generated overviews that summarise information directly on the results page. While this might seem convenient, it risks amplifying the problem. These summaries can be riddled with inaccuracies, like the bizarre examples of AI suggesting people add glue to pizza sauce or claiming smoking during pregnancy is healthy. By keeping users within Google’s ecosystem, the incentive to visit external, potentially more reliable sources disappears, leaving people more dependent on AI than ever.

It is not just search results that are suffering. Google Images and YouTube are now overflowing with AI-generated content. Searching for something as harmless as a baby peacock might return mostly artificial images. Meanwhile, YouTube is crowded with fake trailers and misleading videos designed to rack up millions of views through deception.

This shift is about more than just convenience. It is fundamentally changing how we interact with information. The more polluted search engines become, the harder it is to trust what we find online. It discourages thoughtful exploration and encourages reliance on algorithms, slowly turning the internet into an echo chamber of recycled, distorted content.

The solution might be to take back control. Use date filters to escape the flood of AI content. Follow trusted creators directly rather than hoping the algorithm points you to them. Most importantly, stay aware of the invisible forces shaping the information you consume. The internet does not have to be a landfill of misinformation. Reclaiming it starts with conscious, deliberate action.

This video explains it all perfectly.

Kung Fury: The Crowdfunded 80s Action Comedy That Took the Internet by Storm

 

Kung Fury is a wildly over-the-top 80s-inspired action comedy that became a cult sensation after being successfully crowdfunded through Kickstarter. Directed by and starring David Sandberg, the short film follows Kung Fury, a renegade cop with extraordinary martial arts skills, who travels back in time to defeat his greatest enemy, Hitler, also known as "Kung Führer." The film is packed with absurd and entertaining elements, including dinosaurs, Vikings, Nazis, arcade robots, and an abundance of cheesy one-liners.

The Kickstarter campaign launched in December 2013, drawing support from over 17,000 backers and raising more than $630,000. This funding allowed Sandberg to complete the 31-minute film, which was released for free online in 2015 and quickly gained a massive following. With its nostalgic VHS aesthetic, outrageous action sequences, and satirical take on 80s action films, Kung Fury remains a fan favorite and a shining example of how independent filmmaking can thrive through community support.