The Dixie Chicks Ad NBC Doesn’t Want You To See

[kpete]

The Dixie Chicks Ad NBC Doesn’t Want You To See

NBC is refusing to air an ad for the new Dixie Chicks documentary, “Shut Up & Sing.” Variety reports, “NBC’s commercial clearance department said in writing that it ‘cannot accept these spots as they are disparaging to President Bush.’”

VIDEO: http://thinkprogress.org/2006/10/27/dixie-chicks-advertisement-nbc/

Harvey Weinstein, who is distributing the movie, issued the following statement:

It’s a sad commentary about the level of fear in our society that a movie about a group of courageous entertainers who were blacklisted for exercising their right of free speech is now itself being blacklisted by corporate America. The idea that anyone should be penalized for criticizing the president is profoundly un-American.

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/10/27/dixie-chicks-advertisement-nbc/

[Dr Fate]

1. NBC has no problem running ads that disparage Democrats though.

See Swiftboat ads.

Aside from ads, they disparage Democrats on their "news" shows too.

Proof of their bias- it cannot be doubted at this point.

[GreenTea]

70. Excellent, excellent point, you said it ALL-Don't criticize our Hitler-What kind of

corporate fascism does NBC expects us to shallow? As if NBC ever gave a shit about President Clinton ---

IT'S CORPORATE FASCIST GENERAL ELECTRIC (NBC) WHO IS MAKING BILLIONS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION OF WEAPONS IN BUSH'S "NEVER ENDING WARS"!!!

THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND NOT FREE AMERICA!

HEIL HITLER!!

[babylonsister]

2. Harvey Weinstein is dead-on. This is disgraceful of NBC. nt

[Benhurst]

3. "But at least we know we are free."

Yeah. Sure.

Wake up, America!

[Buzz Clik]

4. Folks, that is NOT an ad for a movie. It is a political statement...

and there are restrictions, particularly this close to an election.

Pardon me if I don't get my nose out of joint because NBC refused this ad.

[Warpy]

6. I had the same impression

If they refused it AFTER the elections, I'd be much more upset.

[Dr Fate]

9. I thought NBC ran the SBV ads BEFORE, not after the 2004 elections?

???

[Buzz Clik]

28. Yes, they did. As a PAC, not as an ad for a product.

[Dr Fate]

32. Moveon is a PAC- so why did NBC ban their ads but not SBV then?

Are you defending NBC's position that GOP PACs are allowed to lie and disparage Democrats, but individual citizens as musicians are not allowed to make truthful statements about Republicans?

link:

http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2006/04/nbc-rejects-moveonorg-ads-about-ohio.html

[Buzz Clik]

36. MoveOn airs commercials on NBC. I don't understand your question.

[Dr Fate]

37. No- They banned them in 04- (link) (You changed your subject title)

It establishes a pattern of behavior- the Chick's ad is part of the pattern.

They ran the SBV ads that disparaged Kerry w/o fact checking them.

They refused to run Moveon ads, even though they were factual.

They refuse to run the Dixie chicks ads because it is "disparaging" about the president.

I dont think your PAC distinction is the issue here- I think the pattern establishes bias beyond that.

I dont see why we should support the notion that a GOP PAC is allowed to lie on NBC but ads that have truthful statements are banned.

LINK:

http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2006/04/nbc-rejects-moveonorg-ads-about-ohio.html

[Buzz Clik]

42. Don't get the impression that I'm pro-NBC or anti-Chicks.

But we need to make sure everything on the table is accurate.

The MoveOn ads in your link were bounced by local stations who happened to be NBC affiliates. Was that an NBC dictum or just coincidence? Was MoveOn a PAC at that time or functioning as some other entity? (I can't hold up this end of the argument very well -- I'm not versed on campaign finance law.)

If you can show me that NBC is inconsistent in their approach to accepting ad money, I'm all for pounding them. Regardless, however, The Dixie Chicks are on the outside looking in -- their ad is a political fireball. Bundling it as merely a movie ad is ca-ca.

[Shakespeare]

45. "Don't get the impression that..."

Too bad. That's the impression you've given.

And by the way, the specific wording in NBC's rejection letter is that they wouldn't air them because they "disparaged" Bush. Bush is not running for office. Your argument fails.

[Name removed]

52. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Shakespeare]

57. That wasn't an insult, and you completely ignored my point.

But then, that's pretty much been your MO throughout this thread.

And, pray tell, how am I "late" to the discussion?

[Dr Fate]

58. I would rather FORCE NBC to clarify their position than make excuses for them.

I doubt much of the public would buy these excuses if NBC were to make them.

[Dr Fate]

46. Oh brother- you are laying the "coincidence" jive on me?

This is why we lose elections.

We spend more time arguing for the other side than we do attacking them with the good facts that we have.

Why dont you let the OPPONENT split those hairs as to whether NBC1 or NBC2 banned our PACS? Fact is- ALL NBC stations have ran ads that disparage DEMS, while many of them banned moveon in '04 and the Chicks in '06.

Do you really think 1st amendment loving political fence sitters who are starting to notice that the "liberal media" meme is BS are going to care whether the banned political speech hangs on whether it is a PAC or a local affiliate?

[Buzz Clik]

53. Let's not morph the argument.

From the OP, the argument is that NBC is rejecting ads unfairly from the Dixie Chicks. NBC is a the national network, and some local affiliates subscribe. They can drop their NBC affiliation as their wishes dictate. Unless you can demonstrate that NBC rejected the Chicks' ads on a national basis, your link (a couple of posts up) doesn't support your argument.

I'll concede part of the argument to you if you can, indeed demonstrate that NBC (national) is rejecting Dem ads and not GOP ads. That would indicate that the unblinking bullshit from the Swiftboat Lying Bastards for Political gain were given the nod from NBC but MoveOn was being hosed. I don't see that just yet.

However, even if you prove that, you really aren't offering much about the Dixie Chicks.

[Dr Fate]

54. You are splitting hairs for the benefit of our enemies. And Bush is not even running.

Your argument fails on many levels.

For one thing, Bush is not running for an election- so your PAC distinction is meaningless.

Going back to when Bush WAS running- your PAC distiction does not answer all of our questions- since NBC in one form or the other allowed false GOP PACS while banning truthful DEM PACs in '04.

I was shooting down your PAC distiction strictly for the sake of argument- it is not even in play since Bush is not running for election in '06.

Everything else you throw out is hair splitting that I will let the opponents do.

If a right-winger or media apologist wants to say "An affiliate of NBC banning DEM ads in '04 is not the same as the national network banning DEM ads in '06", then let them.

I would rather FORCE NBC to clarify all this than just let it go. I dont think much of the public would buy these excuses.

[Buzz Clik]

60. Bush is not running, but he is campaigning, and this election...

... certainly will send a statement about the dissatisfaction of the country with his policies and those who embrace/reject them. This campaign isn't about Bush? Don't tell Joe Lieberman.

[Dr Fate]

63. True- but that statement does not support your PAC excuse.

Let NBC throw that out as their lame excuse.

[Pawel K]

55. I don't know why people are attacking you, I have the same questions

this isn't about defending Republicans. This is about providing facts. I do not know anything about these laws and I appreciate you asking these questions and I would appreciate if someone took those questions seriously.

[Dr Fate]

56. Bush is not running for election. The PAC argument does not apply.

If it did apply, then why doesnt NBC use it as their excuse?

I am not attacking the poster- I am questioning what his facts show and dont show.

[Buzz Clik]

59. Thanks.

It's easy to toss out the "media bias" argument when arguing only one point.

[Dr Fate]

61. Yes- it is easy to claim media bias because of 100's of examples.

If not literally 1000's.

And dont tell me "the right-wing claims media bias too"- I mean FACTUAL examples.

[Buzz Clik]

68. And the Freepers have thousands of so-called examples for the same media.

Are you both correct? Could NBC be biased against both the right and left? I suppose, but that only leaves a few fringe groups who aren't being marginalized. Sounds like bad business.

Or is it possible that you have adopted the same strategy as the Freepers -- blindly blaming the media for perceived inequities without bothering to check the facts?

[Shakespeare]

71. Dr Fate HAS supplied facts, which you have ignored.

You've also not given any facts your own self. :eyes:

[Dr Fate]

72. LOL!!!! No- I mean FACTUAL examples- not lame Freeper BS.

(I already adressed the fact that I mean FACTUAL examples- not Freeper BS- you either did not read that part of my post or you are now glossing over it on purpose just to get your errorenous point in the subject line)

I can show plenty of examples of the media lying in ways that help Bush & hurt DEMS. I can show plenty of examples of the media censoring FACTUAL anti-Bush criticisms too.

If you want to show me some FACTUAL examples of the media lying in a way that hurts Bush and helps Democrats, feel free.

Same goes for the media censoring FACTUAL anti-Democratic or Pro-Bush messages. Do your examples or these Freeper examples even exist?

I'll bet you cant do it.

Show me what you and the Freepers are talking about.

[Buzz Clik]

77. This is amusing:

"If you want to show me some FACTUAL examples of the media lying in a way that hurts Bush and helps Democrats, feel free." I have asked you for factual examples, and others have as well. I'm assuming they aren't coming.

Reality: I frankly don't care. Your obsession about this has consumed you.

[Dr Fate]

78. WMDs. Saddam caused 9/11. Swiftboat Vets. Micheal Moore is the liar.

Those are just a few examples of the media lying in favor of Bush and against Democrats.

Are you not aware of the numerous RW hosts & pundits who are allowed to repeat lies as fact on a daily basis? O'Reilly? Glen Beck? Ring a bell?

Not to mention the media's treatment of the Dixie Chicks- which is the topic. They were BANNED from national radio and are now being banned from national TV.

Those are just a few examples w/o even thinking or batting an eye.

What examples of lies or censorship against Bush are you and the freepers talking about?

Sorry- I assumed that anyone paying attention did not need examples of the media telling lies about or censoring Democrats- do you need more examples- after you give your examples, that is?


Whether factual examples of media bias is a consuming obsession of mine is not the issue- the issue is I have factual examples to back up my assertions- you and the freepers do not.

[Buzz Clik]

69. ummm... that's the single point to which I was referring.

[Dr Fate]

73. Yes. Me too. Although I can add 100s more examples to establish a pattern.

n/t

[Buzz Clik]

75. Good for you. So can the Freepers. This means nothing.

The original argument is in the toilet. The Dixie Chick's ad is clearly political -- whether or not Bush's name is on the ballot. They aren't a political group, so the NBC is under no obligation to air their opinions in the form of an ad for a movie. It's that simple.

However, if you want to believe that NBC is a rightwing media mouthpiece, go for it. You cannot prove it, of course, any more than the idiots at the Free Republic. So, both of you can scream and yell that the same network is horribly biased against both your causes, and we'll sit back and laugh at the ridiculous irony.

[Dr Fate]

76. LOL!!!! No- I mean FACTUAL examples- not Freeper BS!!!!

!!!!!!

What examples of the media lying or censoring in favor of DEMS are you & the freepers talking about?

Show me where the media lied or censored in favor of Democrats and against Bush like they have done for Bush and against DEMS since 2000.

Do you or the freepers have a single FACTUAL example of the media lying about or censoring Bush?

[Shakespeare]

62. Of course, it's even easier when you ignore the points others have made.

So the media bias argument isn't so easy to toss out after all.

[Dr Fate]

7. So why did NBC run the Swiftboat ads then? n/t

???

[Pawel K]

67. Can you please post some information about those ads

I never heard of them.

The problem I have is you called him a republican apologist. I don't think he is trying to defend anyone, he is trying to make sense of all this. I have no clue if he is right or if he is wrong. I certainly dont doubt that NBC would block this for political reasons. Reading up on it ABC and CBS had no problems airing them. All I am asking for is facts. So please, if you could provide me to a link with some information about the swift boat ads and when they actually aired I would appreciate it.

[Dr Fate]

74. If you have never even heard of the Swiftboat Vets, then do some research.

Apparently you were in a political coma during '04.

Try google.

And I never called anyone a "Republican apologist" on this thread- I made the statement that splitting hairs for the benefit of our enemies is not a winning strategy. It is better to let THEM make those lame excuses.

Get your facts straight. I suggested he is a media apologist, which he is by definition considering his own posts.

[LeftHander]

8. Yeah like we ever get any where playing by the "rules"

The rules made up by people who we are in disagreement with....

No significant social or political change occurs when people acquiesce to those in power.

The time is here. Republicans have pushed this nation so far that people sick of being pushed.

It is PUSHBACK TIME....and the cheap sleazy media that facilitated the empowerment of the modern Republican party are to BE CONDEMNED.

[Dr Fate]

12. Thank you. I'm not shrugging my shoulders over this either. n/t

n/t

[Lex]

13. Well, what the hell then was the Swiftboat ads that NBC aired?

:shrug:

[Dr Fate]

15. Not to mention how they disparage & lie about us on their cable shows.

They allow Republicans to go on their news shows to say anything they want about DEMS- even if it is not true.

[Buzz Clik]

30. The Swifties -- partisan bastards to the core -- are a 527 group.

527 group, a type of tax-exempt organization, named after a section of the United States tax code, created primarily to influence the nomination, election, appointment or defeat of candidates for public office.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/527_group

Until the Dixie Chicks file for the same status, NBC should keep that ad off the air.

[Dr Fate]

34. But NBC banned Moveon ads. So your excuse does not fly. n/t

n/t

[Lex]

39. Exactly. I love the way the excuse keeps changing, though.

Don't you?

Hmmm.

[Buzz Clik]

40. What commercials?

According to the MoveOn website:

When we gave the media our new TV ad, they ran it during the news segments on Good Morning America and The Today Show—those shows are viewed by millions.

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/howmanymore.html

So... what got banned?

[Dr Fate]

44. We were refering to '04- SBV was allowed, Moveon in '04 was banned

It establishes a pattern of bias.

Did you not read my link- or my posts- we are comparing the fact that NBC ran the SBV ads but did not run the Moveonads in '04.

You said NBC is not biased b/c they ran the SBV ads in '04 becuase they were a PAC- yet Moveon is also a PAC, which they banned on '04.

I think it shows that NBC is biased, and I think it shows that your PAC distinction is not a full explaination.

In any event, if you really want to argue that NBC as well as every other network has not been biased against DEMS, well, good luck w/ that one.

[mvd]

48. Agreed - shows a real pattern

They consider Moveon partisan but the SBVs not? It was proven that money from people close to Bush financed the SBV ads. I agree that there's a problem here.

[earth mom]

16. Bullshit. nt

[Buzz Clik]

33. not bullshit.

[Dr Fate]

35. No- bullshit. NBC aired SBV but not Moveon- so your excuse is lame. n/t

n/t

[sui generis]

17. yee haw

I missed ya.

Folks, this is an ad for a documentary, also known as a "movie" to some. Plain and simple. So simple in fact that it has a title, "Shut Up and Sing".

EVERYTHING is a political statement including my use of the phrase "yee haw".

[The Count]

19. Bush isn't running. But sure as hell is campaigning on NBC &r est of airwaves

They intrerrupt programs for a "press conference' which is a campaign speech - an "us vs them" (Democrats) campaign speech. How good do you feel about THAT?
The problem with the ad is not that it's a political statement - they make those 24/7 on TV. It's that's a statement for the wrong side. Be comfortable about this one!

[Dr Fate]

23. Doesnt even matter. Kerry WAS running when they aired the Swifboat ads.

Great point- but it does not even matter if you look at ads they ran when Democrats WERE running for something.

This proves blatant media bias no matter how you slice it.

[The Count]

43. Very true. Just trying to use a HERE and NOW argument - THIS election.

2 days ago I was watching my favorite actor on a talk show having a great time - when it was yanked out from me - to hear Bush speaking of the majority of Americans as "THEY". It was on NBC too.
Just returned from a movie blog where the comment section is monopolized by freepers. See if you want to chip in:
http://www.cinematical.com/2006/10/27/nbc-loves-bush-hates-the-dixie-chicks/1#c2537177

[Dr Fate]

47. yes- good enough! n/t

n/t

[shadowknows69]

21. What is Bush running for this year?

Its an ad for a movie with attacks leveled at Bush's campaign of fear. I've seen it aired on other networks already.

[Dr Fate]

25. Doesnt even matter. Kerry WAS running when they aired the Swifboat ads.

n/t

[seabeyond]

24. during the 2004 election they refused moveon.org commercial, but

they did not refuse the right. billboards are refused by dem, but not the right.

consistancy. abc had no problem running path to 911..... anti clinton. that was a four hour repug commercial

[Dr Fate]

26. SBV supporting networks refused to run Cindy Sheehan ads too. n/t

n/t

[EC]

41. And what office is Bush running for?

This is not an ad endorsing any candidate, so what does it have to do with the election laws?

[RobertSeattle]

51. But Bush isn't in this election

[montana500]

64. Ahhh... No disrespect intended...

....but lets save the "thoughtful liberal act" for when we are actually in power. It doesn't help at election time.

[Dr Fate]

65. BRAVO!!! You have crystalized my feelings on this!!! n/t

n/t

[sandnsea]

80. Did you SEE Matt Lauer today???

Watch him be a prick about Limbaugh and then get back to me on whether they should show this incredibly mellow ad.

[Hav]

5. .

Hm, at least it's another explanation for this:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2474727

[Heidi]

10. Recommending.

Now. :thumbsup:

[mmonk]

11. FUNBC

[Supersedeas]

38. Well put.

[LisaM]

14. Do we KNOW that NBC ran the Swift Boat ads?

I don't mind calling to complain, but want to make sure I have my facts straight.

[Dr Fate]

18. They certainly showed them & repeated them on their "news" shows.

I knwo for a fact that the SBV ads were shown over and over on Chris Matthews- (MSNBC)

Whether they are shown between programming or part of programming makes no difference- they allowed it to be showed.

I'm pretty sure plenty of NBC stations showed the ad as an "ad" as well. If they didnt, then they must have been the only one.

[Dr Fate]

20. More:

http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2006/04/nbc-rejects-moveonorg-ads-about-ohio.html

Anyway, this same friend writes me a few hours later to tell me that the NBC-owned station in Columbus, WCMH (as well as the NBC station in Connecticut, WVIT) rejected the ads. The reason I'm so angry is because the Columbus station ran the fraudulent and slanderous Swift Boat ads against John Kerry. MoveOn responded quickly:



"Today we launched our campaign to let voters know that their representatives have consistently sided with corporate interests over the interests of their constituents. We expected Republicans to respond, but we didn't expect two local NBC stations owned by GE to refuse to run our ad. Isn't it ironic that Swift Boat Veterans can lie on TV but we can't tell the truth?
"We think it's outrageous for NBC to censor our ad, and wonder if this reflects the well-known right-wing leanings of their parent company, GE. What other explanation could there be for an Ohio NBC station refusing to run our well-sourced, entirely factual ad, while airing the Swift Boat Veterans' deceptive ads in 2004? NBC has a responsibility to be balanced and serve the public, just like the 33 other stations that are running the ad.
"NBC claims the ad is misleading, but they refuse to say specifically what is misleading about the ad. We provided evidence for every fact in our ads in the substantiation document which was sent to all of the stations, and can be viewed on our website at: http://www.MoveOn.org . The facts are clear because the total PAC contributions received by the members of Congress and their votes are matters of public record.
"This smells of NBC pursuing its own political agenda at the expense of free speech and balance."

[sandnsea]

81. Compare to Matt Lauer's comments

We absolutely know he said Limbaugh was just saying what everyone was thinking about Michael J Fox. If Lauer can get away with saying that shit this close to an election, then NBC can sure as hell put that ad on.

[StellaBlue]

22. Bwhahahahahaha.

[shaniqua6392]

27. They were interviewed by Chris Matthews last night.

He was really awesome to them and it was a great interview. Chris also showed a portion of the movie trailer on his show. It is strange that NBC will not show an ad for the movie?? In any case, this is one opportunity for anyone who really cares about censorship....Go see the movie with your entire family. Make it successful and help it make money.
On edit: Here is the link to the Hardball transcript http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15444551/

[Critters2]

29. I wonder what Kieth thinks of this. nt

[Kolesar]

66. We should boycott all NBC networks including Keith's show

Ok, I am just postulating.

[mmonk]

31. Better trailer

http://www.myspace.com/shutupandsing

[Oilwellian]

49. I love this comment on TP

Since you do not seem eager to contemplate the reality before your own eyes, I’ll attempt to clarify for you.

What NBC’s position represents is not them exercising their “right to free speech”. First off, they are a steward of the broadcast airwaves and cable bandwidth that they transmit over, not the owners of it. That concept alone requires some substantial thought and understanding. Take the time to do so.

Secondly, their reasoning for not accepting the ad is censorship. Now, if the ad contained nudity, then they would be only abiding by law. If the ad was deceptive and meant to criminally harm NBC’s viewers, then they would have a moral leg to stand on. However, the reason that they are not allowing the ad to run is that it could cause people to have bad thoughts about mr. george w bush.

Understand that in its entirety. NBC is censoring information not because it is false, not because it is misleading, and not because it is obscene. No, NBC will not run it because it may cause you to have unpleasant thoughts about your president, whether they are justified or not.

If you do not see how this is an offense to every free thinker in the world then you are neither free nor a thinker. The next steps on this path to hell that NBC is leading you on involve thought police and ministries of accepted practices and the sorts. If it is your choice to follow NBC on this path, then I hope that you enjoy the journey because I can assure you that you will not enjoy the destination. But don’t expect company on your path and it is the action of a petulant child to criticize others for not being willing to make the same mistake as you. Good luck to you on that.

[RobertSeattle]

50. NBC = No Bush Criticism

[Cha]

79. Go Harvey! I love you

guys! All you people who speak out for equal rights, justice, freedom of speech..you know, the Constitution! :loveya: :patriot: :patriot:

Whatsamatter nbc?.. Afraid the bushits will cut off your contracts? :nuke:

[Maven]

82. The Dixie Chicks link to DU

On their shutupandpost.com 1st Amendment website, DU is one of the links on their page. :)