NBC33 Loves The Mayor

If the BS story about the "innovative" use of those "new fangled" QR codes on the incumbent's yards signs wasn't enough, NBC33 has found another way to "help out" their friends in the Henry campaign. 

In a promo running on their air and contained in radio commercials promoting NBC33's oddball newscasts on various radio stations, the TV station mischaracterizes the Legacy Fund origin and purpose and prominently features a sound bite from the mayor, himself talking about the Fund. 

What's wrong with this? 

First, there are factual problems. In the voiceover part of the NBC33 promo, the Legacy Fund is referred to as "for years the city has been saving money away in the Legacy Fund". Not true, the Legacy Fund is the result of Indiana Michigan's purchase of the old City Light department which used to provide electric power to the citizens of Fort Wayne. It is not a result of the city saving money and socking it away over many years.

Second, the Legacy Fund's use and administration is a bona fide hot topic in this year's mayoral election and was a feature of Channel 15's Monday night mayoral debate. Andy Downs saw to that when he formulated and wrote all the questions for Monday's debate (WANE TV must not have been capable of doing that). The prominent use of Tom Henry's comments about the Legacy Fund in the NBC33 promo can be seen as an endorsement of his reelection bid by NBC33, as well as free campaign advertising for the democrat. In many quarters, the current mayor has been credited with initiating and conducting the final negotiations that created the Fund and has even been referred to as "the father of the Legacy Fund". The Harper campaign should seek equal access under the current Federal Election Commission regulations. Since the announcements in question are "free" and cost the Henry campaign nothing, then Harper should also get the free advertising on NBC33 and the radio stations running the NBC33 promos, as well.

In essence, NBC33, by it's questionable and superfluous QR code news story, and "promo" which for all intents and purposes is a Henry campaign ad, must give one pause when considering NBC33 as a credible news source.