Hard to argue with Westword on this one:

A report about hands-free cell phones that aired on Channel 4 last week shows why this principle is absolutely vital. The package found correspondent Shaun Boyd testing out different devices, using as a hook legislation that may make driving while using handheld cell phones a ticketable offense. Her commentary was supplemented by remarks from Jeremy Linehan, a spokesman for Car Toys — and after the piece had run its course, anchor Karen Leigh popped up to announce that the company is offering CBS4 viewers a 15-percent discount on hands-free phones for mentioning the story.

This appalling and embarrassing tie-in offers short-term gains when it comes to pleasing advertisers. But it makes Boyd and Leigh look like shills who are in the pocket of Channel 4’s money-siders — and that hurts the station, and their reputations, in the long run.

What the heck was CBS4 thinking?

Daniel Brogan
Daniel Brogan
Daniel Brogan is the founder and former CEO and editor-in-chief of 5280.