Censorship and the Superbowl

[Michele]

http://www.moveon.org/cbs/ad/

An organization called MoveOn.org tried to have a 30 second ad addressing the growing deficit aired during the Superbowl. CBS is refusing the run the ad - citing a policy of not running "advocacy" ads during the Superbowl. However, they have run such ads in the past. Over 20 members of Congress have written to CBS protesting the decision not to air the ad and CBS has received over 350,000 phone calls from the public. But CBS won't budge. MoveOn was able to get some CBS affiliates in key markets to run the ad but this will cost more and have nowhere near the impact a nationally seen ad would have had.

The One Minute Boycott: CNN will be running the ad during the Superbowl half time period at 8:10 and 8:35. MoveOn.org is asking people who are watching the Superbowl at 8:10 and 8:35 to either turn off the Superbowl or turn the channel to watch the ads on CNN.

SHould they be censoring?

[Daethian]

I don't see this as censoring. CBS is a business and I'm sure they have the right to refuse a customer. Their audience is most likely moderate people who would not be happy with any fanatical ads, right or left wing. They are doing what's best for their business.

[Epicurus]

I also do not see it as censorship. That is their choice.

Collette

[kingclick]

I agree as well. It's not censorship. It's called doing business.

Of course the irony is.....Kid Rock wearing a Flag Poncho is OK but a political statement isn't.