PR and finding out who makes the so-called news... [View All]

I was watching "Toxic Waste is Good for you" on FSTV (looks to be on a lot the next week or so) where the idea of the news getting pre-made spots selling a product or an idea is discussed. It reminded me of reading about the WH making that bogus medicare ad with the woman who was supposed to be a reporter shilling the new bill's benefits. I thought, naively, that was an abberation.

Let's say that, on a given news show, a percentage of the spots are PR-made-to-order POV's. Is there a way to find out who makes these? Has anyone ever called their local news shows to ask the origin of the spots? I think they should be labeled as such, otherwise one assumes that some mythical news hounds are creating them.