This was interesting I Found the post in a news group and thought I'd copy it and post it here. I'm not sure that it's entirely wrong for the government to influence broadcasting, or try to determine content, but considering the scruples of the Bush family, and the consolidation of a lot of mass media corporations in the past few years, ordinary people ought to get more interested.
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2000/01/13/drugs/


In exchange for "advertising credit" officials of the US government have been reviewing and revising the content of TV shows to send anti-drug messages. This has occurred in virtually every popular prime-time show. Including ER, Drew Carey, Beverly Hills 90210, etc
etc.... The networks have been allowed to submit episodes of shows in place
of paid "public service announcements". Unlike the PSA's there is no
disclosure that the content is a paid advertisement. We aren't being told
who's sending us the message or that messages are even being sent. The
public trust has been violated along with payola laws written to prevent
exactly this. It is unacceptable for the government to be using
mass-advertising to promote policy without disclosures.

You probably won't hear about it on the network news for obvious reasons.
Please help to render this far less effective by spreading awareness. Repost
this message or one like it anywhere you think concerned people will read
about it. Email politically oriented television and radio shows about it.
The public needs to know big brother is talking to them directly through
television programs to mitigate the influence. No content in network
television shows can be trusted. It really makes all content of the
mass-media suspect.

You can be assured that if this is not stopped early that it will spread as
greater results are achieved through it.

Now is the time to contact members of congress about this issue. As of two
days the drug Czar has been on the phone to members of congress urging them
to renew this funding for 5 more years at or above the previous level of a
BILLION $ for the term. Our representatives need to be informed on this
issue. Please tell them you don't want the money spent for this misuse. At
very least restrictions need to be attached to this funding to prevent the
secret and undisclosed policy promotion.

Even if you support prohibition policy this practice should concern you.
The freedom and integrity of the airwaves is at stake.

Find out how to contact your elected representatives in congress here:
http://congress.org/http://congress.org/

Here is a link to the full story broke by Salon Magazine.
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2000/01/13/drugs/

At least one formal complaint has been filed with the FCC about this
egregious action. Please email them your thoughts on the subject at
complaints-enf@fcc.govcomplaints-enf@fcc.gov