PADUCAH — Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear recently started running an ad campaign that looks a lot like it comes from Local 6 because it features video shot and used for news coverage.

But the ad does not reflect opinions or beliefs of the station.

Sixteen seconds: that's how long Local 6 footage appears in a 30-second Beshear re-election campaign ad.

It's video Local 6's Vice President of News and Operations Bill Evans worries could be very confusing for viewers.

"When that ad appears in our newscast, it looks like our news because at one time it was our news," Evans said.

A Local 6 photographer shot the video for a news story in May 2011 when Beshear made a trip to our region.

Evans was surprised to learn it was used again for campaign purposes.

"It appears to me the governor's campaign recorded our newscast and then excerpted that news material for their campaign ad," he said.

Evans contacted the governor's office and learned the video is legal for a candidate to use because of what's called the no-censorship rule.

In part, the rule says stations may not edit or refuse to run a candidate-authorized "use" because of its format, even if it simulates a newscast.

It goes on to say the no-censorship rule also applies in cases where a candidate's authorized "use" contains a copyright violation.

"I think it's important for us to cover the news," Evans said. "You can't do that once you editorialize or take a position on a political race or candidate."

While you will probably see this video again before the election, Evans maintains it in no way reflects the views or opinions of WPSD.

"We did not authorize the governor's campaign to use our copyrighted material nor do we endorse that campaign or any campaign."

Voters in Kentucky head to the polls next Tuesday to choose the next governor and decide a handful of other statewide races.

Join us then for complete election coverage.