DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — Howard Nathan, a consumer affairs reporter in Dayton since 1991, has left WDTN-TV Channel 2. His departure followed a report by a media watchdog group that criticized the station for a news story by Nathan that used a video news release promoting a company's services.

The Federal Communication Commission is investigating the use of video news releases in news programs when the releases are not properly attributed.

The Center for Media and Democracy, based in Madison, Wis., said Nathan presented a report Aug. 29 about cars damaged in Hurricane Katrina flooding. The story warned that used cars that appeared to be in good condition could have hidden damage and suggested that consumers check CARFAX.com to check car histories.

The center said the footage used in the news story came from a video news release prepared for CARFAX, a company that sells information on used cars. Nathan provided narration for the video, but used wording similar to that in the news release, the center said.

WDTN displayed a label briefly at the end of the report that read "CARFAX.com — Katrina Cars," but gave no other indication the story was supplied by CARFAX, the center said.

The center says it's a not-for-profit organization that works to expose "spin and propaganda" in news. The group has been campaigning against what it calls "fake news" in the form of videos that appear to be news footage but that actually are more like commercials.

The FCC announced in August it was investigating video news releases. The announcement said the FCC "has issued 42 Letters of Inquiry to 77 broadcast licensees to determine whether the source of video news releases were properly disclosed during news broadcasts."

Nathan could not be reached for comment. WDTN General Manager Lisa Barhorst declined to comment.

WDTN announced Thursday that Kennan Oliphant has been promoted to lead investigator of the Turn to 2 consumer investigative team. The release also said Nathan "has been looking for an opportunity in a larger television market for some time. He has moved on, and we support his efforts and wish him well in his future endeavors."

Nathan had been in charge of the Turn to 2 team since 1991 and has won four Emmy Awards. He won special recognition from Ohio's Associated Press Board in 1999 as "Best Reporter" in Ohio.