CBS/NBC censorship of gay-friendly church ads

[almostallhere]

from a center for american progress e-mail

link to ucc site: http://www.ucc.org/news/u113004a.htm

Big Media Clamps Down on Free Speech

CBS and NBC are refusing to air an ad produced by the United Church of Christ (UCC) because it advocates religious inclusion. The ad shows bouncers turning away a variety of people at the door of a church – including ethnic minorities and two men who may be a homosexual couple. The announcer says, "Jesus doesn't turn people away. Neither do we. No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey you are welcome here." In a letter to the UCC, CBS is refusing to air the advertisement because the commercial "touches on the exclusion of gay couples and other minority groups by other individuals and organizations." Also, CBS found the ad "unacceptable" because "the Executive Branch has recently proposed a Constitutional Amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a wom d the ad "too controversial." The ad has been accepted and will air on a number of networks, including ABC Family, AMC, BET, Discovery, Fox, Hallmark, History, Nick@Nite, TBS, TNT, Travel and TV Land. Email CBS and NBC and tell them to air the advertisement because everyone in this country – not just the Bush administration – should be able to freely express their opinions.

edited to add link

[keith the dem]

1. Sent CBS this:

I am outraged at your refusal to air the UCC ads. My UCC church, located within blocks of where the Constitution was written in the old city of Philadelphia, has a history of 277 years. Perhaps the last time our church was so denied its voice for religious liberty, was when the British took over the building and used it as a stable because the pastor was also too controversial. He tried to persuade the Hessians to leave the British and join the Colonists. Are you so beholden to the new King George that you would deny one of the oldest churches in the USA its voice.

[PollyH]

2. UCC Ad

Good response, Keith the Dem, and a little history lesson to boot.

[kayell]

3. Damn, I've seen that ad, or one very similar from the UCC

that was a good message, and it must have been played for a while on broadcast channels (I don't have cable).

There was absolutely NOTHING to object to in that ad, unless you are incredibly bigoted. For these channels to reject it (when it or another like it) has already been shown, lets us know what is coming. Especially with a reason that basically boils down to "mustn't oppose the Fuhrer." Apparently discussing civil rights or choices in a democracy is controversial. ... Perhaps democracy is controversial.

Fellow gays and lesbians - we are the Jews this time around.

[belle]

4. can't get that link to load

[breadandwine]

5. We must march against Fox and the rigged election.

Not talk. Action. STREET action. Action in the STREETS. Huge public protest. A joint protest against the rigged election and Fox right in front of Fox World Headquarters in New York with the chant, “Rupert Murdoch, tell the truth! Fascists rigged the voting booth!” Fox is headquartered in mid-Manhattan on the SECOND floor. We’re going to be right outside their windows by the thousands screaming our guts out where they can hear us. Bad vibrations? Too bad studio soundproofing isn’t perfect. We must deny them legitimacy at all costs. Bush didn’t win. His election is a fake. Vast numbers of Americans still don’t know this because Bush shills like Fox cover it up. Fox must be targeted. Their headquarters are in New York. The other papers and media in New York will cover this protest because they all hate Fox’s living guts in New York. See this blog:

A Call To March On Fox
For refusing to tell the truth about the rigged election! —

http://acalltomarchonfox.blogspot.com/

Read it. Read it all. Contact the blogger there to get involved.

Go to this thread and participate in the discussion — A call to march against the rigged election — includes extensive discussion about the planned march on Fox/rigged election:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2688242

Add your comments there, keep that thread kicked. There’s going to be a huge march in New York combining protest against the rigged election and the Bush shills like Fox who cover it up, a double whammy. After that, the cat will be out of the bag and Bush will have lost legitimacy.

Why is that important? Because legitimacy is essential for de facto power. Official or “de jure” power is not enough for a leader to maintain control. He has to also have the INTANGIBLES of legitimacy — de facto authority. That’s why presidents can become lame ducks in their second term. Bush must be denied LEGITIMACY. His whole presidency must be publicly DELEGITIMIZED. People in other countries will hear about the march too. This will add to his difficulties diplomatically overseas. To deny legitimacy we must march against the rigged election.

Where? At the number one shill covering it up — Fox. Fox Headquarters in New York. Fox may or may not admit we are in front of their New York offices but the other New York news organizations will because they hate Fox. See the above blog for full details on that and the whole march plan. See and post on the above thread to get involved. Keep that thread kicked.

[foreigncorrespondent]

6. Better get used to...

...seeing this kind of stuff happening more and more often, since the boy king managed to pull off another election theft.

When they get their FMA through, I am gonna hate to see what it gets like then.

[SoCalDem]

7. I'd like to see ALL ads for religion... OFF the AIR

That way there would be NO bias towards ANY church..

Let's just advertise PRODUCTS.. Ads that are for churches, political parties and/or philosophies are unwise..IMHO..

There's no reason that ALL political "speech" could not be confined to a separate channel, and all would have to use that channel if they wanted to get their message out, or if people wanted to see what candidate X had to say..,

Churchy stuff can be on churchy channels..no problem.

but on regular tv..no way for any of them