Move On gets Censored...

The friendliest place on the web for anyone that follows U2.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.

BVS

Blue Crack Supplier
Joined
Aug 19, 2002
Messages
41,232
Location
between my head and heart
Over the last four days, something incredible has happened. CBS has received over 340,000 emails and phone calls asking it to stop its censorship. Clearly a huge number of us believe that CBS's refusal to run our Voter Fund ad, while allowing the Bush White House to run an advocacy ad of its own, is just plain wrong.

Columnists and editorial pages are writing about it. And on Monday, FCC commissioner Michael Copps issued a statement on it. These folks understand that this issue isn't just about our Voter Fund's ad -- an ad by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals was censored as well. At heart, it's about free speech. Huge companies like CBS that control access to the publicly owned airwaves have to air opposing points of view.

CBS still refuses to run "Child's Pay." But together, we can increase the pressure on CBS. And through the power of the Internet, we can make sure that millions of people see the ad and learn about the controversy. As a first step, forward this email or the original message attached below to your friends. Ask them to check out the ad at:
http://www.moveon.org/cbs/ad/

(You can also point them directly to the CBS petition at http://www.moveon.org/cbs/?id=2288-3455588-oQu4RtciHauDxw1xWGxMVg)

They can also send an email to CBS and join the campaign at that address. If you haven't joined the campaign yet, you can sign the petition there as well.

Next, consider taking a moment to call CBS and let them know why you believe their refusal to run ads like this one is wrong. If you call, please be calm and polite -- it's not the folks who answer the phones' fault that CBS made this decision. You can reach them at:

CBS Comment Line
(212) 975-4321

(We're spreading out the calls across a number of relevant CBS numbers, so hopefully you won't get a busy signal.)


After you've called, help us track the number of calls that are pouring in by going to:
http://www.moveon.org/cbscalls.html?id=2288-3455588-oQu4RtciHauDxw1xWGxMVg
 
I have called CBS and told them Good JOB.

They are a private business and they have the right to air what they choose to air on their airwaives.

Thanks for the numbers.:wink:
 
To each their own.......I know someone who is organizing a boycott of the Super Bowl to protest the censorship. It's CBS's act to call, they don't have to like it, but maybe they should let us decide. Hell, I don't know. Of course I censor the hell out of my own posts. :wink: :wink:
:censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored:
 
BonoVox-- you want to remove that petition link. Its going to your info, not blank spots.

As for CBS, yes they are a private company but they have to adhere to FCC guidelines concerning swearing, appropriate content and censorship. Besides, can someone please explain why its a problem to air a PETA ad or MoveOn ad during the Super Bowl? I mean, Dread, when you called CBS, did you also tell them to not run beer ads with half naked women? I just find this selective censorship to be crap. If you're going to ban, you should ban sexist ads and political ads and food ads [we're a fat nation you know!]. You can't pick and choose what to censor.

And I think the bigger issue here is the fact that Les Moovies and many other CBS execs have donated to Bush's campaign. who's side do you think they're on?
 
I also asked for more beer and bikinis:wink:

I offered to put one on...I refused to shave my back though....they turned me down.:mad:
 
sharky said:
If you're going to ban, you should ban ... food ads [we're a fat nation you know!]

:lol:

Bottom line is, if I were a network I would definitely censor Bush ads. I mean, really...how many of the Democrats/Liberals/anti-Bush people here (and I am definitely one of them) would air Bush's ads if it were their network and their decision?
 
Bush ads..............:censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: They're getting beer companies, the company that makes Viagra (if I'm not mistaken..........someone sent me a list of the "accepted commercials").........they're going after the red-blooded American male, I suppose.
 
No one would need viagra if they would air me in the bikini!:ohmy:
 
We could shave a peace symbol in my back.....that could be our commercial.....

me...with a hairy peace symbol in a bikini.
 
as your local sports & rec. management degree holder who did tons of research on super bowl advertising in college courses, i can tell ya' that you're wasting your time petitioning cbs... cbs couldn't scratch it's ass durring the super bowl without the NFL's permission...

you will not see any pro bush ads or pro republican ads either... you may see w. himself, being as he's the president and all... just like you saw clinton when he was the president.

the national football league feels that the super bowl is for sports and entertainment ONLY. you will not see any partisan ads, be it pro vegitarian, pro democrat, pro republican, pro aids relief show durring the half time show...

it is their right to do so and it in no way violates the first amendment or is a case of censorship.

i think you should all get over it.
 
Last edited:
I'm sure this particular ad is not the only one they decided not to air. They may have opted not to air all sorts of political ads on both sides.

I didn't view the ad, but I am just wondering if the ad had been for the opposite viewpoint would people be as worried about censorship? Or is censorship only a concern when it prevents your own view from being aired? I don't know anyone here's politics, so this is not personal...it's just a question.

Most big Corporations give money to both major parties.

I think I'll pass on seeing the hairy bikiniman.

I don't know why I'm in FYM. I think I took a wrong turn somewhere. :der:
 
watch as the world spins...
spin.gif


the evil bush white house advertisement?

an anti drug ad.

wooo... eeeeeeevil.
 
NEW YORK, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Given the misleading and inaccurate statements offered to the media and the public in recent days, it is understandable why there is confusion over the CBS Television Network's longstanding policy against advocacy advertising.
ADVERTISEMENT


The policy is decades old. It is designed to prevent those with means to produce and purchase network advertising from having undue influence on "controversial issues of public importance." From the Network's perspective, we believe our viewers are better served by the balance and perspective such issues can be afforded within our news programming.

This policy applies only to Network advertising, not to the local time of individual stations affiliated with the Network. As such, it is therefore also intended to promote and protect localism. Local stations we own, as well as CBS affiliates owned by others, are free to accept or reject such advocacy advertising for their own air based on how they believe such decisions serve the public interest in their communities.

Conflicts over the policy are also decades old. The Network has rejected hundreds of advocacy ads over the years ranging from Mobil Oil and W.R. Grace Company submissions to ads on all sides of issues from gun control to abortion to the North American Free Trade Agreement, to name just a few. We have found that people tend to agree with the policy when they disagree with the thrust of the ad, and vice versa.

Suggestions have also been made that we are violating our own policy by allowing the airing of messages that aim to curb drug abuse and smoking by minors. CBS is unaware of responsible groups that advocate drug abuse and smoking by minors, so it is hard to understand how these laudable efforts would constitute "controversial issues."

In recent years, a cottage industry has arisen among groups that submit advocacy ads that they know will be rejected. They then resort to press releases and Internet diatribes about the rejection to reap considerable free media attention and financial contributions to support their cause. Editors and potential contributors beware.

The one constant is that CBS's policy is simple, clear, published and available to anyone who asks. A copy of this written policy follows.

ADVOCACY AND POLITICAL ADVERTISING

The CBS Television Network (CTN) sells advertising time for the promotion of goods and services and for institutional advertising. CTN does not sell time for the advocacy of viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance.

For the purposes of this policy, a controversial issue of public importance is defined as one that has a significant impact on society or its institutions, and is the subject of vigorous debate with substantial elements of the community in opposition to one another. A commercial announcement will be considered unacceptable if it: (1) explicitly takes a position on such an issue, or (2) without taking an explicit position, presents arguments parallel to those being made by one side or the other in the debate concerning the issue, so as to constitute implicit advocacy.

Advertisers shall be afforded maximum latitude to touch on matters of public concern, either in institutional advertising or in promoting their goods and services, so long as messages do not rise to the level of explicit or implicit advocacy, as defined above, on a controversial issue of public importance. CTN reserves the right to restrict scheduling where such messages may be incompatible with program content.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, CTN will sell time to political candidates, to those authorized by candidates to purchase time on their behalf and to political parties. CTN also sells time to groups supporting or opposing significant ballot propositions.

A statement of CBS policy and practices covering the sale of political announcements is set forth in the current edition of the CBS Statement of Policy on Political Broadcasting.
 
Dreadsox said:
NEW YORK, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Given the misleading and inaccurate statements offered to the media and the public in recent days, it is understandable why there is confusion over the CBS Television Network's longstanding policy against advocacy advertising.
ADVERTISEMENT


The policy is decades old. It is designed to prevent those with means to produce and purchase network advertising from having undue influence on "controversial issues of public importance." From the Network's perspective, we believe our viewers are better served by the balance and perspective such issues can be afforded within our news programming.

This policy applies only to Network advertising, not to the local time of individual stations affiliated with the Network. As such, it is therefore also intended to promote and protect localism. Local stations we own, as well as CBS affiliates owned by others, are free to accept or reject such advocacy advertising for their own air based on how they believe such decisions serve the public interest in their communities.

Conflicts over the policy are also decades old. The Network has rejected hundreds of advocacy ads over the years ranging from Mobil Oil and W.R. Grace Company submissions to ads on all sides of issues from gun control to abortion to the North American Free Trade Agreement, to name just a few. We have found that people tend to agree with the policy when they disagree with the thrust of the ad, and vice versa.

Suggestions have also been made that we are violating our own policy by allowing the airing of messages that aim to curb drug abuse and smoking by minors. CBS is unaware of responsible groups that advocate drug abuse and smoking by minors, so it is hard to understand how these laudable efforts would constitute "controversial issues."

In recent years, a cottage industry has arisen among groups that submit advocacy ads that they know will be rejected. They then resort to press releases and Internet diatribes about the rejection to reap considerable free media attention and financial contributions to support their cause. Editors and potential contributors beware.

The one constant is that CBS's policy is simple, clear, published and available to anyone who asks. A copy of this written policy follows.

ADVOCACY AND POLITICAL ADVERTISING

The CBS Television Network (CTN) sells advertising time for the promotion of goods and services and for institutional advertising. CTN does not sell time for the advocacy of viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance.

For the purposes of this policy, a controversial issue of public importance is defined as one that has a significant impact on society or its institutions, and is the subject of vigorous debate with substantial elements of the community in opposition to one another. A commercial announcement will be considered unacceptable if it: (1) explicitly takes a position on such an issue, or (2) without taking an explicit position, presents arguments parallel to those being made by one side or the other in the debate concerning the issue, so as to constitute implicit advocacy.

Advertisers shall be afforded maximum latitude to touch on matters of public concern, either in institutional advertising or in promoting their goods and services, so long as messages do not rise to the level of explicit or implicit advocacy, as defined above, on a controversial issue of public importance. CTN reserves the right to restrict scheduling where such messages may be incompatible with program content.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, CTN will sell time to political candidates, to those authorized by candidates to purchase time on their behalf and to political parties. CTN also sells time to groups supporting or opposing significant ballot propositions.

A statement of CBS policy and practices covering the sale of political announcements is set forth in the current edition of the CBS Statement of Policy on Political Broadcasting.

:up::up::up::up:
 
Moveon.org can use that 3 million dollar for good things now,...free publicity enough.
 
Back
Top Bottom