UFC Paying Scott Ferrall to Attend Shows Neither Necessarily Unethical nor Illegal
by Luke Thomas on Oct 30, 2008 4:16 PM EDT
in MMA News
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I talked to a lifelong radio insider in a position of high level management about the situation surrounding Scott Ferrall being paid by the UFC to attend shows and ostensibly provide (favorable) comment. According to the FCC and radio ethics, this can be perfectly acceptable provided the arrangement is disclosed on air. To wit:
"It's only unethical if Ferrall didn't disclose it in some way on the air. If he didn't, it's call Plugola and is an FCC violation."
A clear definition of plugola here:
A similar concept is "plugola," in which a radio personality gives on-air promotion to an event, act, or establishment in which he or she has a financial interest without full disclosure.
I can't go back through the years of Ferrall's show, but one has to think Ferrall is knowledgeable enough to know this and not risky enough to invite FCC violations. It's feasible Ferrall committed plugola, but I have serious doubts. Given that it isn't illegal or unethical in radio if the relationship is disclosed, there's zero incentive to hide it.
UPDATE: According to radio insiders, the fact that Ferrall may or may not have been on satellite radio when he was paid by the UFC is irrelevant. If Ferrall committed plugola, the FCC could fine Sirius or refer the matter to the Justice Department.
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*sigh*
Even if it’s not necessarily illegal, I still think it’s highly unethical for Ferrall to do it. I am sure Ferrall and his attorney read the rules issued by the FCC to make sure they are in the clear in case anyone questions it.
This whole issue of “plugola” and “payola” is so confusing, and it most likely won’t hurt his credibility in the long run.
The rise of Internet journalism has helped confuse things further, as it seems like a new set of rules has been created. People in this “new journalism” don’t abide by many of the rules that “real” journalists have been forced to follow in the past.
The same media everyone loves to hate — i.e. L.A. Times, S.F. Chronicle, etc. etc. — have rules where writers are not allowed to accept free clothing, food, limo rides, or any other perks. In fact, some newspapers will fire you if they catch you accepting this type of stuff.
It’s a complicated issue, even if he didn’t break any laws…
Allowing the media to have press passes to an event is so different than paying a person to attend the event and then write positive things about it!
As long as they are disclosing that the paid relationship exists, I don’t see how this is that much different than paying Joe and Mike to commentate at the event.
there’s an obvious motive: not disclosing the relationship lends the radiohost more credibility because he is assumed to be impartial. note that i’m not suggesting Ferrall didn’t disclose.
by boxingstudent on Oct 30, 2008 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Honestly, I didn’t know there was any ethics in Satellite radio or if the FCC had any control over Satellite radio.
Scott Ferrall isn’t a journalist he’s a radio personality. Would we be having this kind of discussion if the UFC had been paying Howard Stern to attend events? I think the issue that scares me is that people may of been giving this guy any journalistic credibility to start with, just because you give your opinion through a media source doesn’t mean your a journalist.
The “I saw it on tv so it must be true” trend is much more scary than the UFC may of paid a radio knucklehead to talk about them on the air.
It may not break FCC communications...
…but it is clearly unethical. Unless you claim daily that you were hired to discuss the event (in a commercial or disclaimer) then it is clearly unethical.
This should be investigated.
Wags
seriously..
You want to launch a full investigation? Don’t you think your taking this just a little too far? Life itself is unethical.
Who cares!.. Does this really affect any of us…NO.. unless you buy into everything you hear on the radio or read on the internet … and if you do that would make you a moron.
FARRELL
he never sounded like he had a clue to what he was talking about anyway to me (mma wise) so im with “whats the big deal” mentality. this all really came out in the open when farrell asked dana for more money, claiming Affliction had offered more and he wanted a raise..(this was according to dana himself.)
As long as Ferrall is being discussed, Dave Meltzer reports in his latest issue of the Wrestling Observer that he will replace Jimmy Lennon Jr. for the Januray 24 Affliction event.
No word yet if Fedor is going to be replaced by Butterbean in the night’s main event.
I have Sirius...
…and recall Scotty saying something to effect of “we are here in Vegas for UFC ## it’s hot, we are drinking, loving life, UFC flew us out here and they are treating us great”.
He put over that UFC was “treating” them.
Plugola-Gate
I demand a full investigation of Plugola-Gate!!!!!
hahaha….just kidding!
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