Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Ooops: Goldline, Fox 'Clarify' Glenn Beck's Ties to Gold

Company says it was wrong to call Beck a 'paid sponsor'

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 14, 2009 9:08 AM CST

(Newser) – Fox News seems to be watching Jon Stewart. After the drubbing Stewart gave Glenn Beck last week for pumping gold on his show, even as he was listed as a "paid spokesman" for Goldline, a company that sells gold coins, the network fired off a letter to Beck’s reps, “seeking clarification.” It also released a statement saying that its official policy “prohibits on-air talent from endorsing products.”

Goldline quickly changed the language on its website. Until a few days ago, Beck’s picture was accompanied by a footnote reading, “paid spokesman”; the footnote now reads “radio sponsor.” The company says the language Stewart picked up on was a mistake. It says it’s merely a sponsor of Beck’s radio and TV shows, but doesn’t pay him any separate fees. “We used the term ‘paid spokesman’ because we felt it was important to tell people that there is a payment going to somebody,” said Goldline’s president.

Glenn Beck extols the virtues of gold in this screenshot.
Glenn Beck extols the virtues of gold in this screenshot.
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
An extended Glenn Beck Goldline commercial, complete with weird explanatory subtitles.   (goldlineint)
The Jon Stewart segment that brought Beck's gold ties into the limelight.   (Comedy Central)
Glenn Beck Rant About 'Gold, God, Guns' is followed by a 'Glenn Beck is sponsored by Goldline' tag, 12/11/09.   (PoliticsCentralX)

View larger videos >>
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
22%
9%
56%
0%
3%
9%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 34 comments
maevealleine
Jan 8, 2010 7:58 AM CST
They can't fire him. It's hard to find someone willing to spout off racist and neoconservative crap over national airwaves.
maevealleine
Jan 8, 2010 7:56 AM CST
Glen Beck seems to be nothing but a whore with a price.
d3wd
Dec 16, 2009 1:04 AM CST
@bewilderbeast Yes I certainly do. There's nothing unethical about recommending people buy gold(excellent advice, Pramaticrealism) on his opinion/news program, and also profiting from endorsing a particular gold company. Assuming he's not trying to scam anyone, it's a very moral situation. Al Gore... Are you reading this?

 
Fox News • The Daily Show • Glenn Beck • Glenn Beck gold • Glenn Beck Goldline International • Goldline International

More Newser Stories

Stewart Nails Glenn Beck for Promoting Gold

Beck's Favorite Gold Firm Charged With Fraud

Stewart's Entire Show an Epic Beck Parody

How Glenn Beck Screws His Viewers

Jon Stewart Channels Glenn Beck
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   Geek Sugar   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment