Dirty Tricks Made Easier By Lax Journalists (Campaign 2004):

It turns out that the USDE produced and distributed rose-colored news segments about NCLB and the federal student loan program that were aired in more than 20 cities as real news, in apparent violation of the law as well as laws of good taste. See: Bush education ads eyed (Associated Press), US agency confirms it produced 'news' report (Atlanta Journal Constitution). The Department also rated news coverage of NCLB and individual reporters, but alas only real ones with journalism degrees and staff jobs: Coverage of No Child Left Behind mostly neutral, study finds (Fort Worth Star Telegram). See below for more Campaign 2004.