TV stations refuse to yank Dem `end Medicare’ ads
TV stations refuse to yank Dem `end Medicare’ ads
By Greg Sargent
When PolitiFact labeled the claim that the GOP voted to end Medicare its “Lie of the Year,” this was seen as a big deal in Washington, because it suggested Republicans might be able to get TV stations to refuse to air Dem ads making the claim against House GOP incumbents. Since this argument will be central to the Dem case in the battle for the House — one that Dems hope to run in ads across the country — that would have been a big setback.
But we’ve now had our first important test case since the PolitiFact decision, and it broke in favor of Dems: Despite GOP complaints, two TV stations have refused to pull the ad.
Earlier this week, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee aired a TV ad, timed to the GOP presidential debate, attacking GOP incumbent Rep. Charlie Bass for voting to “end Medicare.” The Bass campaign sent letters to two stations that air in New Hampshire — WMUR and WHDH — demanding the ads be yanked. Crucially, the Bass campaign repeatedly cited PolitiFact’s Lie of the Year designation to bolster its case.
Both stations refused.
“Our lawyers looked at the ad and concluded it’s within the bounds of robust public debate,” Jeff Barlett, the general manager of WMUR, tells me. “If Charlie Bass and his supporters disagree with this, they’re free to create their own ad and tell their side of the story.”
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/tv-stations-refuse-to-yank-dem-end-medicare-ads/2012/01/10/gIQABCmGoP_blog.html
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