CBS News anchor hosts webcast series for Fidelity

In a move that blurs the line between news and corporate content, CBS News’ “CBS This Morning” anchor Gayle King is appearing in a webcast series for Fidelity Investments.

• In the series, King appears in front of a studio audience and interviews guests just like a news or talk show.
• The multipart series focuses on financial issues women face.
• At the top of the series, King introduces herself as anchor of “CBS This Morning” and editor at large for “O: The Oprah Magazine.”
• She even throws in a “I hope it’s your favorite morning show…” line.
• It’s not immediately clear if King was compensated for her appearance or if CBS approved her participation in the series.
• Typically news employees like King are barred from endorsing products or services to avoid any potential conflicts of interest or bias.
• While King did not directly endorse anything in the series, the video clips appear on Fidelity’s website with its logo next to King in several cases.
• King recently renegotiated her contract with CBS to remain as co-anchor of “This Morning.”
• Reps for CBS News, Fidelity and King did not respond to requests for comment.