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CBS Press Release Defends Its Political Censorship of MoveOn Ad

Who died and made CBS' CEO Les Moonves a Supreme Court justice?

After receiving more than half a million calls and emails of protest, CBS Television Network has issued a statement, via PR Newswire, defending its decision not to run MoveOn.org's 30-second "Child's Play" commercial during the Super Bowl.

The release cites the company's written policy statement, which says: "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."

And there's the point! The MoveOn commercial addresses a political issue and MoveOn is a group opposing the significant ballot proposition that Bush should be re-elected.

The CBS press release, taking a clear swipe at MoveOn's successful campaign to stir protest against CBS, says, "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."

A New York Times ad by MoveOn accuses CBS of kowtowing to President Bush, whose $1 trillion in budget deficits are criticized in the MoveOn commercial. The ad notes "This is about more than just a commercial; it's about political censorship"

MoveOn's Times ad notes that CBS claims they simply don't air "controversial" ads during the Super Bowl. "Yet they had no problem with ads featuring serial killers, or nudists with their genitals digitally altered, when CBS last broadcast the Super Bowl in 2001."

Categories: Alternative Marketing, Internet PR, Marketing Strategy, Media Relations, News, Politics, Public Relations

BL Ochman | Jan 29 04 6:24 | TrackBack (0)

Comments

Is there really any doubt that the mainstream corporate media is a tool for this Administration?
With FAUX News and CBS leading the pack.

Two years ago, when coincidentally the *Patriots* were last in the Superbowl, an ad linking illegal drug use to terrorism was run by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

The deceitful message of that ad is more in line with the agenda of the Bush-Cheney gang while also drawing attention away from the more obvious, but less Administration-friendly, oil-terrorism connection.

*THAT* is the kind of ad CBS figures won't upset the gentle sensibilities of the superbowl watching public or CBS' corporate partners in Washington.

Now be a good "patriot" and keep your mouth shut!

Posted by: djm at January 30, 2004 12:14 AM

With a half time show that was not only boring but featured an uncovered breast (just an accident?) CBS has the nerve to talk about controversy. For God's sake don't ask any questions, especially about your government or 911. Just shut off the TV turn to another station,and start reading .We have more power than we know.

Posted by: Susan at February 2, 2004 3:29 PM

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About BL Ochman

Blogger, social media strategy consultant to Fortune 500 companies, and sought-after corporate speaker B.L. Ochman heads the creative team of whatsnextonline.com. She also publishes the Ethics Crisis blog for SRF Global Translations

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