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Ad resembling story appears on front of LA Times
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-04-10 09:54

The ad uses a different font from news stories, and a black border separates it and the graphical display ad from the rest of the page.

"This is a loony idea," said Ken Doctor, a news industry analyst for consultancy Outsell Inc. "It blurs the line for what you can trust in the LA Times and what you can't."

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The Los Angeles Times is no stranger to controversy over blurring lines between news and promotion.

In 1999, the newspaper faced criticisms that its managers secretly approved a deal to publish a special issue of its weekend magazine about the then-new Staples Center and split ad revenue from the publication with the sports venue. Critics said that deal strained the newspaper's credibility with its readers.

Nelson said readers will also likely be confused by Thursday's TV show ad.

"I've grown resigned to front-page ads in the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times, but I think this goes a good deal further," he said.

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