ALDOT Payments to Left-Wing Media Site Alabama Political Reporter Exceed Initial Reports
Documents from a public records request show that payments from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to the left-wing media site, Alabama Political Reporter (APR), were much higher than initially reported. The largest sums of money came from ALDOT, with funds being paid through several advertising agencies. Further investigation by 1819 News revealed that APR received over $76,000 in state funds from ALDOT in 2023, through marketing and public relations firms.
Communications between APR and ALDOT employees became complicated, with ALDOT requesting corrected invoices and documents from APR. ALDOT’s spending on APR was related to highway safety marketing, as part of their Drive Safe Alabama program, promoting various safety measures on the road.
Contrary to the significant payments made to APR, ALDOT only paid $7,500 to the Alabama Media Group in the 2024 fiscal year. Despite having a smaller readership compared to AL(dot)com, APR received a much higher advertising spend from ALDOT. The cost of advertising on APR’s TV show, “The Voice of Alabama Politics,” also raised eyebrows, with a reported price per 30-second ad exceeding the show’s actual publicity value.
For more information or to comment on this story, contact craig.monger@1819news.com. Subscribe to the newsletter for daily updates.
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