When You Can't Beat 'Em, Buy 'Em Off

Oh NPR, how quickly you fall ~ Wal-Mart, in an attempt to spiff up its image, is now a proud sponsor of National Public Radio. The contract began Feb. 16 and extends until January. As part of its NPR arrangement, Wal-Mart is described several ways when it is mentioned as an underwriter on the air. The descriptions include the following: "Wal-Mart. Providing jobs and opportunities for millions of Americans of all ages and all walks of life." Another says the company is "bringing communities job opportunities, goods and services and support for neighborhood programs." I guess it's easy to overlook integrity and global vision when a few million dollars are waved around in front of you, ay?

It doesn't end there. Wal-mart has also funded $500,000 in journalism scholarships to minority college students, with this nice little sound-bite:

"Like all of us, journalists are shaped by their own culture and past experiences, and this helps determine how they see the world. Currently there simply are not enough news reporters, editors and producers whose thinking reflects their experiences growing up as minorities in this country," said Mona Williams, vice president of Communication for Wal-Mart. "We have the opportunity to help make a difference by ensuring that talented college students who aspire to be journalists are not disappointed simply because they are short on money."

Oh yes, let Wal-Mart help determine how you see the world. To balance out that dirty feeling washing over you right now at the thought of needy students and lame-ass NPR bowing down before Wal-Mart's millions, check out this very funny piece by Mike Argento over at the York Daily Record ~~~ Wal-Mart survives storm and just loves journalism.

Comments

[Anjali]

Thanks for this post. When I read the article in the times a few days ago, my first thought was - how many people are reading this article? It's gotta be read by all NPR listeners. As a friend of mine said, what's next, Halliburton sponsoring ads?

I wonder if there's any public backlash to NPR about this issue.

And thanks for the Mike Argento column on this! It was hilarious :>

[mari]

Contrary to James' comment, society would benefit more if Wal-Mart PAID ITS EMPLOYEES FAIR WAGES, and allowed UNIONS, and PROVIDED AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE TO ITS EMPLOYEES, and ended its SWEAT SHOP LABOR PRODUCTION, and STOPPED ACCEPTING CORPORATE WELFARE BENEFITS. The only thing Wal-Mart does "best" is mislead the public into thinking that "always low prices" comes without a real, human price tag ~~ in the form of the working poor, the globalization of poverty, and the annihilation of community/neighborhood business, to name a few. Being Anti-WalMart does NOT mean you're "anti-capitalist," whatever that means ~ being Anti-WalMart means being PRO-HUMAN-RIGHTS and PRO-COMMUNITY.

[James]

Wal-Mart's greatest benefit to society is in following the course that made it the greatest retailer on earth. It's impossible to placate the anti-capitalist left, so it's a waste of resources to try. Society would benefit far more if instead Wal-Mart invested those resources back in to doing what it does best.