Media Matters Calls on ABC Family to Discontinue Robertson Broadcasts

[paineinthearse]

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=52001

Media Matters Calls on ABC Family to Discontinue Robertson Broadcasts

8/23/2005 2:25:00 PM


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To: National Desk

Contact: Melissa Salmanowitz of Media Matters for America, 202-756-4109 or [e-mail]

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following his Aug. 22 call for the United States to assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Media Matters for America is urging ABC Family to stop showing Pat Robertson's The 700 Club. ABC Family shows The 700 Club three times a day.

Robertson, 700 Club host and founder of the Christian Coalition of America, has a history of vitriolic and false statements, as Media Matters has pointed out.

In addition to urging the assassination of a foreign leader, Robertson has blamed gays for divorce, abortion, and September 11, said that a gay-oriented event would bring about "terrorist bombs ... earthquakes, tornadoes, and possibly a meteor," and stated that liberal judges are a bigger threat to society than Al Qaeda.

"Robertson's vitriol is not appropriate for children, or for anyone else, for that matter. His calls for the killing of a foreign leader certainly do not belong on a television channel that purports to offer family-friendly programming," said Media Matters for America President and CEO David Brock.

---

Media Matters for America is a Web-based, not-for-profit, progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media. Media Matters for America is the first organization to systematically monitor the media for conservative misinformation every day, in real time. For more information, visit http://www.mediamatters.org.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

-0-

/© 2005 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/

[tridim]

1. Awesome!

I sometimes watch 'Whose Line Is It Anyway' on ABC Family and the fundie terrorist Robertson comes on right after. I can't reach for the remote fast enough when I hear his evil monologue begin. I never understood why ABC hosts a private religious program anyway.

[bigworld]

4. why they show it

ABC bought the old Family Channel from one of Pat Robertson's organizations back in the day -- one of the stipulations being that the show the 700 Club three times a day. I'm not sure how in the world they CAN wiggle out of it, unfortunately.

[sui generis]

25. they need to grow some moral cojones then

It's a liability issue for them.

If Robertson says round up the queers and shoot us in the head and someone does it, ABC is going to be liable for allowing it.

If Robertson has a wardrobe malfunction and shows his wrinkly old ballsack during a half time entertainment segment, ABC will pay.

And if some American tourist in Venezuela gets kidnapped or assassinated in a pre-emptive strike by some Venezuelan fruitcake trying to make a political statement, ABC is damn well going to pay.

If Robertson says there are bombs at every airport and shuts down the airline industry, ABC will pay.

we can go on and on here. ABC has a moral and legal obligation not to allow Robertson to break the law or to endanger other humans with his rhetoric, or else they need to raise the production-cost of airing his segments to be equal to the secondary risk-cost.

[SW FL Dem]

32. Does it stipulate the broadcast times?

Maybe ABC can move it to 3 4 and 5 am

[TheMightyFavog]

90. I think the contract actually says what parts of the day the show must air

If I wrote the original contract, that's what I'd have done if I was in their shoes.

[Halliburton]

58. so Roberts is allowed to say what he wants...

without being held accountable for it? pretty outrageous contract if you ask me.

[TheMightyFavog]

89. I'd like to correct you there...

ABC Family was originally the CBN's Family Channel, which was sold to Fox in 1997 and renamed Fox Family. Fox then sold the channel to Disney in 2000.

Disney did aquire the channel from CBN, the aquired it from Fox.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_Family

[Sean138666]

101. I think that...

ABC had actually bought the channel from Fox; it was Fox Family channel a few years ago.

If FOX was willing to let it go, then it must be pretty fuckin bad.

(Sorry for the dupe, people)

[Torgo Johnson]

6. Here's the reason why

When Pat Robertson sold Christian Broadcasting Network to Fox,one of the stipulations was that the 700 Club had to be aired on the new Fox Family Channel. When Fox turned around and sold it to ABC, the Robertson requirement was still in the contract.

[IntravenousDemilo]

34. So they can just damn well break the contract.

Other people do it all the time. What's Robertson gonna do about it? He's a very old man and he'll die before it ever comes to court (if there's a god, that is). If a precedent is needed, how about the example of his hero, President Fuckpig, who abrogates treaties (i.e., contracts between nations) left, right, and centre?

[fighttheevilempire]

78. Can't ABC ...

shut down ABC family, rename it something else, and reinvent it basically the same minus hate-spewing religious clerics who advocate violence? Why doesn't Pat volunteer for the Army or the Marines and ask to do the job himself? Another *ing chickenhawk. I'm really tired of this nonsense.

[TheMightyFavog]

91. And go up against Robertson's army of high powered attorneys?

Robertson may be a scumbag of the forst degree, but he's got a real crackerjack team of lawyers working for him. If ABC Family even hints at axeing the 700 Club, you can bet your sweet ass that Robertson's gonna unleashe his pack of highly trained lawers at Disney.

Disney may be powerful, but they're not stupid. A head-on engagement with Robertson's goons (even with Disney's most elite legal teams) could prove costly.

[Ian David]

61. I just have ABC "Family" blocked already.

My blocking list is full. I've got as many of the infomercials, home shopping and religious crap blocked as I possibly can.

Nothing is worse than falling asleep with the TV on and hearing Pat Robertson shouting into your subconscious.

[TWiley]

87. Just the name "Family" irks me.

These potlickers have hijacked many words and Ideas. Christianity, family, patriotism, American, and moral values are only a few that come to mind.

The problem with evangelical Christianity is that it is not compatible with anything else. Every thing, person, and idea must convert to its bullshit, or die.

[9119495]

98. Funny, I do that too--but I just block out the show.

[still_one]

2. Just like they did when Paul Harvey said

it was a great thing for the colonist to kill native americans with small pox infected blankets, and how killing people with nuclear weapons is a moral thing

In other words they didn't touch Harvey, and they won't touch Robertson, in fact someone told me today that Paul Harvey was supporting that position also today

[54anickel]

11. Yep, he'll probably get away with it. He'll offer up some damned press

release on his site "clarifying" his position, just like when he claimed he was trying to be gracious to Stephanopoulos by not correcting George's paraphrasing of his "judiciary is the most serious threat America has faced in nearly 400 years of history” line from his book.

There's a lot of "clarifying" on Robertson's site.

Nothing will come of it, it's not like he called for the assassination of a GOPer or anything. Us against them, good vs evil, blah, blah, blah.

[9119495]

99. ANYBODY REMEMBER BILL MAHER?

He was on ABC and got booted for a controversial statement less offensive than Robertson's.

[Conservativesux]

110. Paul Harvey daid those things ??? Do you have a link???

Unbelieveable !!!!

I always knew Harvey had a dark heart.

[mconvente]

3. Sounds good to me n/t

[NYC]

5. 1010 WINS radio was playing the audio

of Robertson calling for assassination this morning. I'm glad this is getting publicity. I hope something is done.

[maseman]

47. Funny...1010 WINS

Reaches more people in one day in New York City then his TV show reaches across the whole country in one day. For those of you who don't know, 1010 WINS is all news and has been a huge staple of news listening in NYC for a few decades now. Very powerful radio station.

Robertson must feel puny. What a dick.

[NYC]

63. Even I didn't know that.

It is the station with the best reception, so I listen. Thanks for the information, and welcome to DU.

[RosaP]

7. Robertson

Actually ABC Family CANNOT boot Robertson because when Robertson sold them the network it was written in the contract that the 700 Club would air on ABC Family in perpetuity.

[cdsilv]

10. ....they can probably pull it ....

...if the FCC tells them to.

[TheMightyFavog]

92. The FCC has no control over content on cable-specific networks.

About the only thing about cable the FCC controls are the "Must Carry' Regs that require cable providers to air all over the air broadcast stations.

[democratic veteran]

73. Contract

Could be voided for advocating illegal acts. They would sure cancel his show if he said the same thing about our president.

[cloud_chaser1]

8. Regarding Pat Robertson and NewsMax

Newsmax, as we know is probably the all time biased "news dissemination" organization in this country. They make some of the most outrageous claims about us Democrats and believe they are doing the country a service.
But now, its there NOT saying something that takes them to a new, hypocritical low point.
Today they sent out e-mails with the story of Pat Robertson's call for the assassination of Venezuela's President. They used an AP story verbatim.
Did they go tsk tsk at the end of the story? No. Did they condemn Robertson? No. Did they indicate that they were repulsed by Robertson's words? Not a chance. In fact, they said nothing. That super moral group of over the hill neocon journalists didn't have the guts to condemn anything about the story.
Their hypocrisy is beyond belief. How low are they willing to go?

[Imagevision]

54. Chavez,accused Washington of backing a short-lived coup against him in 02

The Venezuelan president offered to help impoverished U.S. communities with their fuel needs as well, complaining that middle men have taken advantage of the American poor by pushing up the prices of gasoline and diesel unnecessarily high.

"We could also help some poor communities in the United States, directly selling them gasoline," Chavez said.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,166579,00.html

http://downingstreetmemo.com/

[TankLV]

65. It wasn't a mere "accusation". It was a FACT.

The bush* criminals DID try to oust him in an aborted coup.

[aquart]

83. Got a dry wit, Chavez does. What a clever insult!

He proclaimed Venezuela to be a world power and lamented the United States' reduction in status to banana republic in the sweetest, most concerned, most empathetic way.

This is someone to watch.

[Teaser]

9. I don't think they can...

Isn't that contract written in stone?

[Rainscents]

13. I believe, if someone threaten international leader, there is law against

this and TV station can brought down! This law was passed right after JFK assassination.

[Timmy5835]

16. Sorry Guys....

Cable IS NOT broadcast. The FCC has NO jurisdiction in cable tv matters.

[lildreamer316]

29. TImmy;

700 Club is broadcast on regular channels in many areas. Depends on the area of the country.

[TheMightyFavog]

93. We're talking over-the-air stations right?

Hmmmmm....

I'd suggest the following:

Find out exactly which over the air stations air The 700 club. Then file official complaints about these stations to the FCC. At the very least these staions will will have these compliants in their public files.

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html

If you find that one of these stations is up for renweal soon, You might want to make some comments advocating that the FCC deny renewal of their license.

[Roland99]

106. I have a call in to my local WB station (they carry the 666 Club)

no word back, yet.

[Megahurtz]

114. 666 Club LOL!!!

:rofl:

[Rufus T. Firefly]

119. The 700 Club is syndicated to local channels.

Therefore it is within the FCC's jurisdiction.

[NewJeffCT]

109. It has to have a morals clause, though, right?

Almost all these contracts have "morals" clauses that allow for them to fire or cancel the contract if a person does something that breaks the law or does something harmful to the image of ABC Family.

[CANDO]

12. Can this be considered a christian "fatwa"?

Un-freaking believable that these psychopaths don't see the irony that we are in a war with fundamentalists on the other side when one of our own is just a mirror image of them. Pat Robertson is NOT a christian, he is a lunatic! He and * should be locked up in a padded room together.

[ktowntennesseedem]

39. He'd like to think so.

Only problem is that the only "fatwa" that real Christians have would be to oppose the very evil that Pat is calling for. True followers of Christ strive against poverty, hunger, discrimination, intolerance, war, hatred, arrogance, greed... and I don't see Pat doing or saying anything to oppose any of them.

IMO, Pat's no Christian. In fact, he's the worst kind of evil-doer, because unlike poor role-models who obviously are not to be emulated, he is actually leading people astray in the name of Christ.

[redwitch]

14. Pat Robertson is the poster child

for separation of church and state.

[TankLV]

66. He's the poster boy for the REPUKE PARTY!

[catmandu57]

15. Welcome to DU Rosa and Cloud chaser

It's going to take the FCC to get this scum off the air, he has an iron clad contract with ABC, thankfully I think they just show this late at night.

[Kolesar]

18. It is on at 10 am on my local broadcast station

As it is on dozens of other broadcast stations.

[Erika]

17. He said W was picked by God to lead the U.S.

Of course, Robertson is one of the good ole boys pulling W's strings.

[tives12]

19. Thank you, thank you, thank you

It's about time that something is done about this man. I remember hearing him go on about Michael Moore after Fahrenheit 9/11 was released and continually called him an overweight unhealthy fat left wing nut. That was the first time I ever saw the show and was completely shocked that this show aired after Whose Line is it Anyways? which is completely opposite of this BS.

[catmandu57]

21. I had a buddy back in the early eighties

that watched him while drunk, he said it was a blast, I never could understand that. Back then he owned the channel outright, in between 700 club shows they showed old western series, the Rifleman, Rawhide, and others.
He said he liked it because they prayed a bit then killed a bit, then prayed some more.

[bobbieinok]

81. fat??? check out some of the televangelists, eg, James Hagee

[paineinthearse]

107. tives12

Welcome to DU

:hi:

[riverwalker]

20. What is ABC Media Family email/phone?

if anyone has it, please post so we all can call for them to drop Robertson as well.

[TheMightyFavog]

94. Feedback link here....

http://abcfamily.go.com/feedback/index.html

Although theior FAQ says:
http://abcfamily.go.com/feedback/faq.html

4. For any questions pertaining to the 700 Club, please call the Christian Broadcasting Network at 1-757-226-7000.

[paineinthearse]

108. Contact information: FCC, ABC, Disney & CBN

Main contact points: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4444230&mesg_id=4444230

Also...

Anne Sweeney - President of ABC
E-Mail: [e-mail]
Mailing Address:
Anne Sweeney
ABC, Inc.
500 S. Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-4551

Michael Eisner - The Walt Disney Company CEO
Mailing Address:
The Walt Disney Company
Mr. Michael Eisner, CEO
500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank CA 91521

[samsingh]

22. Robertson sounds no different than the Ayotallas.

[samsingh]

23. there should be a substantial fine

what is Robertson teaching the children who watch his programs?

[WiseButAngrySara]

50. This is SO much worse than Janet Jackson's boob, it would be funny

if it weren't so sad. Wasn't she fined big time? Can't remember.

[samsingh]

116. it was a very large fine - something like a few million dollars

[paineinthearse]

24. About ABC Family / contact info

http://abcfamily.go.com/corporate/about.html

ABC Family is television for today's families –- connected by birth or by choice, diverse and multicultural, mirroring our changing attitudes and lifestyles. The movies, hits, holidays and originals of ABC Family feature relatable characters and coming-of-age stories, reflected with heart in the comedy and drama of the experiences of today’s families.

Feedback: http://abcfamily.go.com/feedback/


Please note you will not receive a reply to your feedback.

NOTICE: By sending us your feedback, you authorize ABC Family to publish or otherwise use your feedback in whole or in part, and to use your name in connection with the feedback, in any medium and for any purpose whatsoever, without additional consideration. You agree that ABC Family is under no obligation to use your feedback and that it may use part or all of your review without attribution. You certify that you are the original author of the feedback (except as expressly indicated otherwise), that the consent of no other person, firm, corporation, or organization is required to enable ABC Family to legally use your feedback and name, and that ABC Family's use of your feedback and name will not violate the rights of any third parties. You agree that this authorization contains the full and complete understanding between ABC Family and you regarding use of your question and cannot be modified except by a document signed by ABC Family and you. You further certify that you are over the age of 18, have read the foregoing, fully understand its meaning and effect, and intend to be legally bound by its terms.

[kbm8795]

26. You know, unless the TIME of day is

specified in the 700 Club contract, ABC Family could delegate Pat's sorry-assed nonsense to 1 a.m., 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. Then let's see how his fundraising works while he shills such utter crap to the public.

[kbm8795]

27. I'd also like to know why people like Pat

and Rush get to say anything that falls out of their mouths without any reprimand or concern about what children see or hear, but the idea of two women standing in the kitchen on a Buster cartoon program corrupts morality.

[Craig3410]

30. Huh. I was thinking the exact same thing.

Although I was thing more along 2,3,and 4 a.m. :)

[nashville_brook]

28. oh yesssss!

[depakid]

31. It's about time

This hateful and dishonest man should have been banned from the airwaves years ago....

[Catherine Vincent]

33. Nothing will probably happen to this hypocrite.

It's too bad he didn't show his tit, then the powers that be would definitely boot him out.

[hippywife]

96. Well, he did show his

ass once again. That should count for something one would hope.

[PurpleChez]

35. Silly Liberals! Don't you remember...

it isn't lying when a Republican, a conservative, or a Bible-believin' Christian does it! Look--these thugs play by their own rules. A dozen years back they crafted the double standard by which they could claim to stand for law and order yet still name Ollie North as their greatest hero, so there is no cognitive dissonance for them regarding the idea that a minister of the gospel could be advocating the assassination of foreign leaders. There is no logic in their world, as evidenced by their support of the most anti-intellectual president ever.

[roseBudd]

36. My feedback to ABC...

ABC must pull the 700 Club. What Pat Robertson said on air is illegal. Urging the commision of murder on the public airways is the epitome of yelling fire in a crowded theater.

I will never watch another ABC broadcast as long as the 700 Club remains.

[onenote]

37. this is the way to go -- pressure the network and sponsors

Its up to the citizenry to make it uncomfortable for the powers that be to put Robertson's programming on the air...a far better approach than those who are advocating that the governement step in and directly punish speech...

onenote

[rosesaylavee]

38. The media response to this is so normal

and very comforting in its normalcy. These were outrageous statements and deserve the attention its getting. There are so many things that get a pass that are so horrible that just a few years ago would be considered newsworthy. I feel nostalgic for the pre-9/11 press.

I guess I needed to see the news media take this on.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

44. i love how MSRNC used this opportunity to talk about

revising assassination policy.

i was like wtf? uh, you are allowing Pat Robertson's Alzheimer's ravings to dictate programming?

[Born_A_Truman]

40. ABC Family

NY Headquarters:

ABC Family
1133 Avenue of the Americas/Fl 37
NY, NY 10036
212.782.0600 Voice
212.782.0601 Fax

It's true that Fox and Disney both had to keep the 700 Club on the schedule when they purchased The Family Channel from Pat Robertson. I believe the airtimes are part of the contract as well. Perhaps there is an exit clause that could be applied.

I was flipping through the channels the other night and he was answering calls and told one caller not to take yoga classes because of the chants and how demons could enter her body.

[bostonbabs]

102. just called and they said no

they were not affiliated "at all" you can call his office and offered no number....

[Erika]

41. Jesse Jackson just said to contact the FCC

He said that Robertson's murder recommendation of the leader of another country is both illegal and immoral.

Does anyone have the link to the FCC?
Thanks.

[Gregorian]

49. FCC email address

I got this from an FCC employee, today. Just do this-



Please file complaints to:

[e-mail]

Subject title should include:

Enforcement Bureau




1) Shouting "fire" in a crowded theater, is what he has done, at the very least.
2) It may have been heard in places beyond the boarders of the USA.

[Robeson]

51. Done. Thanks!

[Erika]

70. Thanks.

We need to let the FCC know how we feel about hate speech and illegal recommendations to murder.

[The Doctor.]

42. Pat Robertson has slowly been losing his mind.

Ever since he told millions of people to pray for the death of Supreme Court justices, I knew he'd finally and totally lost it.

To be fair, he said "change" in the Supreme Court...

But he didn't say "retire"... which leaves the other option quite open.

[Conservativesux]

111. He has lost it !!!

[LocalGuy]

43. ABC is owned

by Disney, perhaps a boycott of all things Disney is needed.

[ignatius 2]

45. Yes indeedy, what will we tell the children?..Let's see, we must

explain why lying about a war that maims and kills is wrong from our repug pResident and his neocon maniacs,we must explain the concept of "gangbanging" from the repig gov of Californeeuh,the etiquettte of falufa use in the shower from Bill O'Reilly,why terrorism is good for stocks and for makin' money from Brett Hume and now why it really isn't Christian to fucking murder someone.

God, I am so glad this whitehouse has lead this nation back to those good moral values that our dumbfuck pResident is always yapping about.

Doesn't it feel like we are living in a fucked up version of the Twilight Zone?

[Nothing Without Hope]

46. Excellent. This effort should be supported. Time for this hateful fraud's

act to be cancelled. He's grubbed enough money from gullible people who couldn't afford it. He's so full of hate and spite, I can't see how anyone could ever stomach his poisonous spewings.

[akarnitz]

48. ABC should fire him- FROM A CANNON!!!!!

They could bring in John Madden to to commentate.

MADDEN:Now watch on the replay. BOOM! There goes Robertson out of the cannon- now slow it down a little. See, right there at the top of the- that's what they call the top of the arc in the cannon firing business- right there, he's got his hands clasped, I think he's praying. And, and I think he's praying for something like this.

(Madden draws a hand on screen)

That's what they call "the hand of God". That's what they call it in the Bible business, and you see, right there he, Robertson misses it and then we speed it up, and BAM! He's about three feet into the ground, and here comes the trainer. There's only one thing that hurts more than turf toe, and that's the whole "shot out of a cannon" thing.
______________________________________________________________________

Oh, the possibilities of corporate synergy.

[KittyWampus]

52. We Need A Crusade Against Robertson The Pharisee.

[Robeson]

53. I like what someone else called him on another thread....

...Radical Cleric Roberston. I'm going to use that term whenever I mention him to a RW.

[area51]

55. "700 Club"?

700 Club? Man of God? More like the 666 Club. STFU, Marion "Pat" Robertson, a "liquor officer" in the military who chased after women.

[dansolo]

56. Didn't he also advocate bombing the State Department?

If there is a hell, I don't envy him what's facing him down there.

[Shallah Kali]

74. Yes Robertson TWICE said he wanted to nuke the state department

Pat Robertson's 'nuke' idea draws protest
http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/10/09/robertson.state

Introducing Mowbray on his show, Robertson said that a reader of his book could conclude that the State Department needed a nuclear explosion.

"I read your book," Robertson said. "When you get through, you say, 'If I could just get a nuclear device inside Foggy Bottom, I think that's the answer,' and you say, 'We've got to blow that thing up.' I mean, is it as bad as you say?" Robertson said.

"It is," Mowbray said, although his book never suggests that the State Department should be blown up with a nuclear device.

Foggy Bottom is the nickname for the State Department's Washington headquarters.

In a June interview with Mowbray on the "700 Club", Robertson made similar remarks.

"Maybe we need a very small nuke thrown off on Foggy Bottom to shake things up like Newt Gingrich wants to do," he said.

[PurpleChez]

57. Pee Wee Herman goes to one porno film and his career never recovers,

but malignant tumors like Robertson and Jerry Fartwell suffer no repercussions for their appalling conduct. These guys could be caught on videotape molesting Make-a-Wish kids in a bathroom at Disney World and their brain dead congregations would just switch over to autopilot and start yammering about how they were being victimized by the liberal media and needed our prayers. Even if we take down * and his brown shirts there will still be hundreds of bible-thumpin' Eric Rudolphs ready to kill in the name of Jesus and george w bush.

[Ian David]

59. My Email to ABC Family

http://abcfamily.go.com/feedback/

Pat Robertson and The 700 Club have crossed the line-- once again. What will it take to get this murderous maniac off the air?

You are supposed to be a "family" channel. What "family" do you represent? The Manson Family?

Pat Robertson has single-handedly either brought us to the brink of war, or precipitated another oil crisis when Venezuela retaliates by cutting us off or raising prices.

Some "Family" channel you've got going there.

Get this psycho off your channel.

Now.

[paineinthearse]

68. You have a way with words

How can they refute any of what you wrote?

[jurassicpork]

77. By saying this...

"When the Rev. Robertson mentioned 'taking out' President Chavez', he was actually suggesting that the State Department should take him out to dinner to smooth things over between us and his little stone-age spic country that only imports about 10% of our oil.

But thank you for your interest in ABC Family.

Signed..."

JP
http://jurassicpork.blogspot.com

[Erika]

71. Great comment

We've let the extremists gain way too much ground.

[Ian David]

60. The Secular Coalition previously tried (and failed) to get him off the air

Help the Secular Coalition PreacherWatch!

THIS CAMPAIGN NO LONGER ACTIVE -- Thank you for your participation!

Why this campaign? TV preachers, or "televangelists," are getting a free ride from television providers. All day, every day they receive exclusive access to their own television channels. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) policy requires that these free access channels be granted to educational programmers. The Secular Coalition for America has filed an FCC complaint against the nation's largest satellite provider, DIRECTV, arguing that televangelists should not be taking up air time intended for distance learning and the arts. To help support our complaint, we are asking you to assist us by collecting data about the shows aired on religious broadcasting channels.

More:
http://www.secular.org/preacher.html

[paineinthearse]

69. THIS CAMPAIGN NO LONGER ACTIVE?

It's time for them to get some funding and get back into gear!

[Ian David]

95. They fought that battle and lost. See below:

FCC to Coalition: Complaint Denied
"Educational" channels for televangelists will continue

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has denied a May 2004 complaint filed by the Secular Coalition for America against satellite television provider DirecTV. The complaint alleged that DirecTV was improperly granting television channel capacity to televangelists, even though the channel capacity in question had been specifically reserved by law for "educational or informational" programming.
http://www.secular.org/fcc.html

"This decision is disappointing," said Coalition President Herb Silverman. "It is further evidence that, in the eyes of the Bush Administration, the religious right can do no wrong."

Attorney David Niose, who filed the Coalition's complaint, pointed out that the FCC decision failed to directly address many of the allegations made in the Coalition's complaint. For example, the Coalition presented evidence that some religious programmers were conducting advertising on the subject channels, in direct violation of the FCC's rules, but the FCC ignored these facts in issuing its decision.

"On the facts and the law, this complaint was meritorious," Niose said. "The details of the Secular Coalition's allegations were largely ignored in the decision."

FCC rules require satellite providers to set aside four percent of available channel capacity for non-commercial "educational or informational" programming. In creating these rules years ago, the FCC predicted that the channels would be used for innovative programming such as long-distance learning, programming for the arts, health care programming and foreign language programming.

Instead, the complaint points out, the channels have been given away to televangelists who use them for preaching and fundraising.

Secular Coalition activists were urged in Sept. to write letters of support for the complaint to the FCC. Niose told the Coalition's board of directors that the FCC confirmed the receipt of mail from supporters.
http://www.secular.org/write_fcc.html

The Coalition also conducted a PreacherWatch campaign to collect data online about televangelist programming. Information gathered in the PreacherWatch project may prove useful if further action is taken by the Coalition.
http://www.secular.org/preacher.html

Silverman says the Secular Coalition is considering whether to appeal the decision.

More:
http://www.secular.org/fcc_denial.html

I think they should wait until at least September 2008 to appeal.

[paineinthearse]

115. I think they should wait until at least September 2008 to appeal.

Agree. Make it a campaign issue. No sense in appealing it now.

[Ian David]

117. I was thinking of waiting until the fundies were out of the FCC . n/t

[Kool Kitty]

62. I just watched the rebroadcast of Rummy's presser

from this afternoon. When he was asked about how he felt about the comment, he said that Robertson is a private citizen and private citizens say all kinds of things all the time. Now just imagine the outrage if a Democratic Christian minister said the same thing. (Then again, I don't think a Democratic Christian or any other sort of true Christian would make such an odious remark.)

[TankLV]

64. They fogot to mention his demonising oif Catholics & Jews, as well as

most other "mainstream" religions except for his brand of cults.

[TankLV]

67. I wonder how long it will take for LIEberman and Zellout to criticize him

you know, like the pain they felt at dicky durbin telling the truth!

Come to think of it, I wonder how soon little dicky durbin can wait before HE apologizes!

[democratic veteran]

72. It's a great standard

Wonder who the next Democratic president will be that gets assassinated because these damn Republicans refusing to live the values they preach.

[Betsy Ross]

75. If an Iman in the US

called for the assassination of Tony Blair, wouldn't we call him a terrorist? Oh right, we hate Hugo Chavez. That's the difference.

[jurassicpork]

76. Let me get this straight:

Robertson spewed his vile shit on ABC Family?!

Talk about preaching family values.

JP
http://jurassicpork.blogspot.com

[TaleWgnDg]

80. You can see and hear it for yourself . . . (.mov format)

.

You can see and hear it for yourself . . .
http://pserver.mii.instacontent.net/mmatters/700-200508220006.mov (.mov format)

.

[TaleWgnDg]

79. Good job, paineinthearse, another kick, another recommendation,

.
Good job, paineinthearse, another kick, another recommendation, and another email to "ABC Family Network" to rid 700 Club, CBN, and any other appearance of Robertson from ABC. Shame on Walt Disney Productions for retaining Robertson's threats, discrimination, and overall hate-spewing within one of its subsidiaries, ABC Family Network.




.

[Gelliebeans]

82. I fired off an email to ABC

however I don't watch TV that much, they don't know that. Besides if I decided to watch I don't want to support a company that broadcasts a little shit like Robertson in the first place. :)

[TWiley]

88. Good ! I will do the same thing.

I will let them know that there is one more person on this planet that believes that robertson is an ass hole.

[Nothing Without Hope]

84. Another DU thread suggests complaining to the FCC:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4435268
Thread title: Complain to the FCC about Pat Robertson.......(Link here)
Webster Green - GD - Tue Aug-23-05 02:10 PM

[dchill]

85. I, too, call on ABC Family...

to jettison Robertson. That ought to do it, huh?

[TWiley]

86. It is about time somebody did this.

Robertson is a major ass-hole, and should be taken off the air. Furthermore, I feel that religious channels should be sold as options by the cable company, and not given as part of any cable package.

I recently made my first contribution to Media Matters, and it will not be my last. They do deserve our financial support.

[Surya Gayatri]

97. Kicking / emails sent

Have just sent emails to the FCC, ABC Family, and CBN demanding his removal from the airwaves. All of these organizations need to be inundated with expressions of outrage.

[AceAlmighty82]

100. Take him off...I say

I'm fine with some of the stuff he's said in the past...i'm fine with the fact that he's a creepy christian..but to threaten a man of his life isn't how a christian should do things...and I thought we were supposed to "love thy neighbors."

[paineinthearse]

103. ABC has no plans to drop 700 Club (under contractural obligation)

There are no plans to drop "700 Club" from ABC Family, a spokeswoman for the network added.

"700 Club" has been a staple of the channel since it was known as the Family Channel, before Disney acquired it from News Corp. and Haim Saban in 2001. Robertson sold it to News Corp. in 1997 on the condition that "700 Club" air on the channel in perpetuity no matter who owns the channel.


See http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=104

[EVDebs]

104. Disney owns ABC which owns KSFO who pays Melanie Morgan

And Melanie is leading the counter-protest caravan to Crawford. ABC then covers both Cindy and Melanie and claims 'balance'. They should also be paying Cindy I suppose if they wanted to add the 'fair' part of fair and balanced.

ABC should make public its support for Melanie Morgan. Either that or DUers and those at Camp Casey should do it for them...

[Conservativesux]

112. Morgan is one the directors' squeeze. She has the brains of a pissant!

What a foolish woman.

[paineinthearse]

105. CBN "News": Comments Add Fuel to the Fire

Robertson's call for assassination are prominately featured on CBN's home page - http://www.cbn.com/ - with several Macromedia flash panels which link to this and other stories from "CBN News". This is obviously intended to flame the fundies.

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/news/050824a.asp

Comments Add Fuel to the Fire
By Dale Hurd
CBN News Sr. Reporter

CBN.com – (CBN News) - It seems that the whole world is talking about Pat Robertson’s comment that Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez should be done away with. That reaction followed a CBN News investigation into the potential danger from the South American dictator. CBN News now looks at the response, ranging from the Venezuelan government to its chief ally, Fidel Castro. This has now become a top subject in the American mainstream.

After the comments made about Chávez on this program, the Venezuelan Ambassador to Washington, Bernardo Alverez, said, "It is essential that the U.S. government guarantee (Chávez') safety when he visits (the United States) in the future. We are concerned about the safety of our president." Chávez, who was in Cuba at the time, responded by saying he preferred to "talk about life." But Castro, referring to comments made on this program, said, "Only God can punish crimes of such magnitude. I always say that God helps Chávez and his friends."

While in Cuba, where he is galvanizing his anti-American alliance with Castro, Chávez launched a fresh round of anti-American attacks, calling U.S. imperialism "the grand destroyer of the world, and the greatest threat…" He called President Bush the "lord of war," and vowed to come to Cuba's defense if the U.S. ever attacked the island. But that might be considered mild rhetoric for Chávez, who in past speeches has called Bush obscene names, and made sexually suggestive comments about Condoleezza Rice.

Only recently has Washington seemed to care about Chávez, despite the fact that Chávez has courted almost every adversary of the United States, from Saddam Hussein to Iran. Chávez also stands accused of helping the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia) narco-terrorists, and was embarrassed a few months ago when Colombian bounty hunters nabbed a FARC official living near Caracas, apparently under government protection.

more.......

[Megahurtz]

113. Give him The Boot!

:woohoo: :bounce: :applause:

[paineinthearse]

118. Robertson appologizes (sort of)

See LBN http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=edit&forum=102&topic_id=1725255&mesg_id=1725255