Press Release
CBS shuts out political speech
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
Washington, DC – The CBS network decided last week to prevent MoveOn.org from buying time during the Super Bowl to air an advertisement that criticizes the Bush administration’s run-up of the federal deficit. “They will show bikini-clad supermodels mudwrestling to sell beer while censoring democratic discourse on the public’s airwaves,” said Free Press founder and professor Robert McChesney. “This censorship of free speech is appalling to liberals and conservatives alike.”
CBS rejected the ad citing its policy that prohibits “controversial” issue ads during the big game. MoveOn’s Eli Pariser replied, “The message of the ad is a simple statement of fact, supported by the President’s own figures. Compared with last year’s White House ad which claimed that marijuana users are supporting terrorism, it hardly even registers.”
MoveOn.org and Free Press are part of the broad, left-right coalition that has battled the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to loosen media ownership rules – a move favored by large media companies like Viacom. In the last four years, Viacom has spent over $4 million lobbying for relaxation of the rules. Free Press and MoveOn.org also opposed an eleventh-hour deal struck in December by top Republicans in Congress and the White House on a key provision, the national broadcast cap that directly benefits Viacom.
“Viacom’s move is particularly disturbing because it illustrates the quid pro quo between politicians and the huge corporations that control what Americans see and hear,” said Managing Director Josh Silver. “The companies that are licensed to use the public’s airwaves are supposed to be public trustees –they should support vigorous political speech.”
Viacom’s decision falls on the heels of their decision to cancel a television documentary about Ronald Reagan that was decried by GOP leaders as portraying the ex-president unfavorably.
Viacom owns the CBS and UPN networks, over 35 television stations, MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Nick at Nite, TNN, VH1, CMT, Comedy Central, Showtime, The Movie Channel, Flix, Sundance Channel, Paramount Pictures, MTV Films, Nickelodeon Movies, BET Films, Paramount Home Entertainment, Famous Players theatre chain, Blockbuster Video, Infinity Broadcasting (with over 175 AM and FM stations), book giant Simon & Schuster, and several other holdings.
Free Press is a national nonpartisan organization that seeks to increase informed public participation in media policy and to promote a more competitive, public interest-oriented media system. It was founded by University of Illinois professor, media scholar and author Robert McChesney. For additional information, see www.mediareform.net
CBS rejected the ad citing its policy that prohibits “controversial” issue ads during the big game. MoveOn’s Eli Pariser replied, “The message of the ad is a simple statement of fact, supported by the President’s own figures. Compared with last year’s White House ad which claimed that marijuana users are supporting terrorism, it hardly even registers.”
MoveOn.org and Free Press are part of the broad, left-right coalition that has battled the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to loosen media ownership rules – a move favored by large media companies like Viacom. In the last four years, Viacom has spent over $4 million lobbying for relaxation of the rules. Free Press and MoveOn.org also opposed an eleventh-hour deal struck in December by top Republicans in Congress and the White House on a key provision, the national broadcast cap that directly benefits Viacom.
“Viacom’s move is particularly disturbing because it illustrates the quid pro quo between politicians and the huge corporations that control what Americans see and hear,” said Managing Director Josh Silver. “The companies that are licensed to use the public’s airwaves are supposed to be public trustees –they should support vigorous political speech.”
Viacom’s decision falls on the heels of their decision to cancel a television documentary about Ronald Reagan that was decried by GOP leaders as portraying the ex-president unfavorably.
Viacom owns the CBS and UPN networks, over 35 television stations, MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Nick at Nite, TNN, VH1, CMT, Comedy Central, Showtime, The Movie Channel, Flix, Sundance Channel, Paramount Pictures, MTV Films, Nickelodeon Movies, BET Films, Paramount Home Entertainment, Famous Players theatre chain, Blockbuster Video, Infinity Broadcasting (with over 175 AM and FM stations), book giant Simon & Schuster, and several other holdings.
Free Press is a national nonpartisan organization that seeks to increase informed public participation in media policy and to promote a more competitive, public interest-oriented media system. It was founded by University of Illinois professor, media scholar and author Robert McChesney. For additional information, see www.mediareform.net
