A major investigation into the systemic use of money and power by the billboard industry to subvert democracy is the cover story on the new issue of High Country News. Senior Editor Ray Ring’s article looks at how billboard companies entrench themselves in city halls and state houses and endear themselves to some politicians with campaign contributions of cash and free advertising.
Ring focuses on the industry’s impact on western states like Utah. In particular, Salt Lake City and Mayor Ralph Becker are currently dueling with industry, saying that long-standing billboards are actually preventing development in the city, while they try to fight off an onslaught of digital billboards.