NBC Censors Anti-Bush Dixie Chicks Ad

[Ezekiel in Exile]

Natalie Maines and the Dixie Chicks were ant-Bush before anti-Bush was cool. Now the Chicks have a documentary film, "Shup Up and Sing." chronicling the vicious reaction of the Right to Maines' remarks about Bush just prior to the Iraq invasion.

Now NBC is refusing to run ads for the film. The film's producer, Harvey Weinstein, says:

"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," Harvey Weinstein said in a statement. "The idea that anyone should be penalized for criticizing the president is profoundly un-American.

NBC admits that it refused to run the ad because it is "disparaging to President Bush."

Cable channel CW has also refused the ads.

Full story here.

[TahitiNut]

1. Gee, can we call 'em Nazis yet?

:grr: :puke: :grr:

[saigon68]

16. They are Nazis here they are in action

"This storm is different. This storm is not the Romans. This storm is the SS."--German officer




Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war

"Item, qe nul soit si hardy de crier havok sur peine davoir la test coupe."


"Likewise be all manner of beasts, when they be brought into the field and cried havoke, then every man to take his part."

[Javaman]

74. Nope, call them neo-cons. America's answer for Nazi's. nt

[19jet54]

78. HIDE!

:hide:

[Chovexani]

18. Oh no!

Wouldn't be prudent. Telling the truth might cost us votes. :eyes:

[Cha]

81. Nazi Broadcasting Company!

Wouldn't it be a HOOT if all this did was get more Pub for the Chicks and everyone Flocked to see their doc? :)

[Suich]

2. What a bunch of bs!

I wonder why they let Chris Matthews interview them today...

:shrug:

Welcome to DU! :toast:

[WCGreen]

3. Even after all that has happened....

My god....

[Born Free]

87. "Shut up and Sing"

I want to watch that show and glad I finally got the name, I like their music video, "Not Ready to Make Nice" which is in the "On Demand" on Comcast and the song is played on the Music Choice "Soft Rock" channel. The song is pretty good, it's the only one from the cd that I hear pretty often. The networks go out of their way to appease the right wing nuts - I only hope that some day the wishes of normal people are welcomed as well.

[Bitwit1234]

4. Program the out of you remote

NBC doesn't have any thing left that's worth watching. The took Medium off. Dennis Farina left Law and Order. L&O Criminal Intent and Las Vegas are the only things left and I gave up Country Western Music when they started to discriminate. Tony Keith gives me a pain in the ass.

[sce56]

6. Well at least MSNBC has Keith Olbermann!

We would be lost witho out him, well he does seem to speak for us.

[Syrinx]

12. Medium wasn't cancelled

I don't watch it, but I saw a commercial for it recently.

It returns November 15th.

This whole thing doesn't make much sense. Doesn't SNL "disparage" Bush every week? Not enough, for me, but still. :shrug:

[mcg]

26. I've stopped watching TV, got sick of it. nt

[ThatsMyBarack]

31. Also....

....most of their shows use that teeny tiny lower-case closed-captioning that's a strain on my eyes to read! :puke:

[Jamastiene]

79. I've noticed that too.

It looks like they even use a hard to read font as well.

[Doctor_J]

54. NBC ashed-canned the Aidan Quinn show about the pastor

who talks to God and has a gay son. Book of Daniel. The Fundies bombarded them with threats and they folded like a $5 card table.

That network is the most right-wing of all of them

[anotherdrew]

66. aren't they owned by General Electric? NBC and the rest=defense contractors

corrupt lying liars all. fuck tv

[nxylas]

86. But isn't The Office on NBC?

Gonna be a major test of willpower for me to boycott that.

[susanna]

90. I hear you on that...

...I like "My Name is Earl" and "The Office" on Thursdays.

Other than those two shows, NBC can bite me...and based on this decision they might as well.

[truthisfreedom]

5. and they admit it too. they're simply brazen.

[Straight Shooter]

7. NBC is clearly out of touch with reality. n/t

[MattP]

8. Something else

I think it is more than that, the move is about how powerful media conglomerates can be and how bad that is so NBC/Universal doesn't want people to see it.

[Ezekiel in Exile]

9. Exactly.

[bliss_eternal]

10. Welcome to DU Ezekiel...

:hi:

[Ezekiel in Exile]

11. Thanks.

[SeattleRob]

64. Bingo

I just watched the Trailer and it does prominently feature talk about media consolidation.

The trailer was here:

http://atrios.blogspot.com/2006_10_22_atrios_archive.html#116196503583503818

[melissinha]

70. ok, so do we REALLY blame them?

For not wanting to promote a movie that shows what they truly are???
really?

[BrokenBeyondRepair]

13. throw ur TV away.. its bad 4 u

[coalition_unwilling]

76. I only watch to know how the opposition is thinking. (n/t)

[Rageneau]

14. That damned liberal media! They just never let up.

[villager]

15. of course, the fact that GE owns NBC has nothing to do with it!

Whatsoever!

Where's the damn "sarcasm" icon?

[anotherdrew]

17. STOP WATCHING TV - it's their only power, ignore them to death

this is a so typical double standard on display for all to see.

[Mad_Dem_X]

24. I very rarely watch TV

and this is one of the reasons why. I never watch the news on TV.

[aggiesal]

19. Hypocrites ...

Of course when the righties where "... disparaging to President Clinton ..."
nothing was done. In fact, they kept piling on. $80M worth.

[Polesitter]

20. I suspect that they may let the ads run after the election but don't want to be accused

of allowing backdoor political ads.

[City Lights]

21. Fuck you, nbc.

Dixie Chicks, :yourock:

[susanna]

91. Straight up.

Love the chicks!

[onehandle]

22. Thugs. nt

[Vinca]

23. That darn, liberal media. nt

[tanyev]

25. Hey, same reason they are selective about their evening new stories.

Such good, loyal, patriotic corporate citizens.


:puke:

[Ezlivin]

27. Remember all those anti-Clinton ads that NBC refused to run?

Yeah, I don't remember that either.

[ProfessorGAC]

28. Refused Because It Is "disparaging to President Bush." So?!?

What the heck does that mean? And while i'm at it, WELL DUH! The Chix don't like Silverspoon the least little bit. So, the commercial is a surprise to any of the geniuses that run NBC?

Sheesh!
The Professor

[Anakin Skywalker]

102. In Times of War, Citizens Must Be Patriotic

so therefore, disparaging the Pretzeldent is a NO-NO!

[Tesha]

29. What's "NBC"?

What's "NBC"?
What's "CBS"?
What's "ABC"?

Were they paleolithic communication methods or something?

Tesha

[TexasLawyer]

30. Is this still America?

Hard to tell sometimes!

[The Wizard]

32. And

a big seig heil to you all. Fuck NBC. Bush disparages America.

[Loge23]

33. NBC - Disparaging to Democracy

...and we don't have to watch your garbage either.

[Donkeykick]

71. Don't worry...

IMO: this idea of theirs will eventually come back to haunt them! Seriously!:popcorn:

[Zambero]

34. By all means, show no disrespect to Dear Leader

Is this North Korea, or the U.S.A? Sounds like NBC is going all out to out-FOX FOX!

[racaulk]

35. NBC = No Bush Criticisms

Jackasses. :mad:

[Raster]

36. NBC is owned by General Electric, a founding member of the

Military/Industrial Complex, and one of the largest manufacturers and purveyors of weaponry and implements of warfare and destruction!

[marmar]

42. That says it all....

The Neocon Broadcasting Corp. isn't about to attack its benefactor.

[Raster]

46. Yep, unfortunately it does. Except for ronnie raygun, no POTUS has

been a better friend to the death and warfare industry than bush*. And GE is death. GE brings good things to nuclear weapons.

[civildisoBDence]

82. Former GE CEO Welch may be buying the Boston Globe

I don't know anything negative about Welch, but the last thing we need is a plutocracy running the media.

Silly me--that's just what we've had ever since the FCC started regulating nipples and loosened ownership rules.

Newsprism

[54anickel]

37. So they've moved on from censoring the snews to censoring ads? I guess

they've got the snews pretty well covered so it's on to the next step.

[chicksfan]

38. PLEASE, let your voices be heard about this!!!!

Contact NBC and let them know just how you feel about NBC banning the Dixie Chicks documentary commercial because it contains a "disparaging" comment against Bush.

How ironic is it that a movie about Free Speech is being banned??

Here is the web address to contact NBC.

http://www.nbc.com/Footer/Contact_Us/

[earth mom]

57. Hell yes! Let's give em an earful!

Thanks for the link Chicksfan & Welcome to DU! :hi:

[The Gunslinger]

100. Turn NBC off do not support the sponsors. Thats the only way

[Lurking Dem]

39. Unfugging believable.

NBC admits that it refused to run the ad because it is "disparaging to President Bush."

[sakabatou]

40. I bet that NBC had anti-CLinton ads on...

[ShortnFiery]

43. Until they trash that right wing dweeb Tucker Carlson ...

They're a luvin' their Pres-I-dent.

It's not patriotic to go against Dear Leader.

Shame on us for being HONEST! ;)

[farmbo]

41. NBC = Never Be Courageous

The Ministry of Information states that television networks are instructed not to broadcast material critical of our Grand and Glorious Leader.

NBC network officials stated they will dutifully comply with the Ministry's instruction and conveyed their unwaivering support for our Leader and his forward looking policies.

:grr:

[IWantAChange]

44. Liberal Media? Fair and Balanced? Unbiased?

If mainstream America doesn't see what is happening I really have my doubts about the Dem's being able to take control of at least one chamber of Congress. This truly is the most entertained least informed group of Americans in history.

[Counciltucky]

45. Just one more step toward fascism n/t

[In Truth We Trust]

47. Nothing But Corporatism

[Miss Chybil]

48. And these are our airwaves...

Right.

[RaleighNCDUer]

49. The only thing upsetting about that film is that it is being released

in NY and LA today, but won't be aired nationwide until the 10th.

Heaven forbid we put up a mirror for middle-america to look at.

[codjh9]

50. Yeah, it's the 'liberal media', right?

Only more proof that the 'liberal media' bullshit is ... bullshit. How much of this censorship is going on re: the 'war', the environmental destruction of the Bush admin., etc., and how much of talk radio is dominated by hard-core right-wingers?

And re: the Dixie Chicks - I don't know if they've said it, but they should say 'Why do WE get all the attention? Have you looked at the polls? Are we the only ones embarrassed by this dumb-ass?' Not to mention that Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, the star-studded couple of country, are ALSO DEMOCRATS, but just haven't been as outspoken. I'm so tired of ignorant fools in this country...

[d---mad2]

98. DIXIE CHICKS ARE MY HEROES

By sticking to their guns , these ladies have shown some enormous courage

And by their actions NBC has virtually shot themselves in the foot.

Have these fools forgotten all about the failed atempt by the right-wing media to ban the
documentary F-911?

I believe this documentary will be a huge success, and I'm looking forward to seeing it when it comes to my area, here in N. Calif.

Quote from T. Rosevelt--"To announce that there must be no critism of the President, or that we are to stand by him, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but it is morally treasonable to the American people."

KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT. Ted

[graywarrior]

51. The more they censor, the more people hear about it.

Who needs NBC when we have the internets.

[screenplaya]

52. Corporate TV Sucks

[NotGivingUp]

53. boycott nbc and their advertisers

[Donkeykick]

95. You sure can.

Try this out.

Dial 212-664-4444 now to be connected with NBC's switchboard!

Let them know how you feel about biased advertising. ;)

[Dr Fate]

55. But they ran the Swiftboat Ads- and reported their lies as fact too. Liars.

What about all the ads and fake news that disparages Democrats?

Liars, hypocrites and BIASED as hell.

[geardaddy]

56. Doesn't NBC stand for ...

Nazi Broadcasting Company?

or Neo-con Broadcasting Company?

or Non-Balanced Conservatives?

[aggiesal]

58. I thought it stood for ...

Notre Dame Broadcasting Company.

I'm so glad you pointed out the real acronym.

[enough already]

59. Such good little nazis

How can Keith Olbermann stand working for such pricks?

[mmonk]

60. FUNBC

[stepnw1f]

61. But Corporate Control of Freedom of Speech is Priceless...

:sarcasm:

[JRob]

62. Sent comment to NBC (included) K&R

If anyone has a link to sponsors please post it, thanks. We need to hammer these guys before we have yet another FOX News (not that they're not already half way there). http://www.nbc.com/Footer/Contact_Us/

My comment to NBC:

Matt Lauer yesterday & now The Dixie Chicks?

I emailed the Today Show yesterday regarding Matt Lauer's outrageous comments about Michael J. Fox and today I hear that NBC refuses to run ads for The Dixie Chicks documentary (or has edited it) because it contains a "disparaging" comment against Bush. Well I guess we now know for certain where NBC stands and it's not with the people of this country. Has NBC refused to run any of the GOP smear ads aimed at Democrats? I would think that the smart policy during these volatile times would be to appear as neutral as possible to avoid alienating current or potential views... Over the next week or so I will be sure to identify the various major sponsors of NBC programming to express to them that I refuse to watch anything on the network base on the obvious political bias. I will also be sure to post that info in as many forums as possible.

Hope you’re enjoying the perks of partisan politics. We’ll see how that works for you.

[Supersedeas]

65. Did Mutt have his RNC Cheerleading outfit on too?

[sakabatou]

63. Asshole's opinion from my blog...

"Piss on The Dixie Chicks. Opportunists. Good for NBC. It's a private decision. It's not censorship unless the government does it. The good socialists on PBS will give Natalie a forum for her drivel."

[codjh9]

68. Asshole indeed

Oh yeah, that's why they said what they said - because they're opportunists. A Repubnicant can't think of any reason why anyone would do anything, or (in their minds) pretend to care about anything, because they only give a shit about little green pieces of paper.

[codjh9]

67. Isn't this a little backwards?

You'd think they'd be afraid of pissing off the two-thirds of the public that disapproves of Bush rather than the one-third that inexplicably still approves of him.

[The Gunslinger]

101. But they and the rest our TV's and media are owned by that one third

[bamacrat]

69. He's being treated like he were king, or emperor.

[curiousdemo]

72. NBC seen what Bush and his Communist allies

did to CBS and Dan Rather (Draft Dodger papers). They are scare through their arses that Bush will sic his attack machine on NBC and their revenues.

Hail :hi: to the "Asshole in Chief"

[rail]

73. I wonder if NBC'd run a more generic ad...

..what'll be their excuse then, 'cuz, all this while NBC can't get enough of the running the Toby (W apologist) Keith's Ford ad.

[coalition_unwilling]

75. NBC owned by GE, country's 2nd-biggest defense contractor. (n/t)

[19jet54]

77. Running scared...

Maybe after what the FCC did to CBS, they simply didn't want the retaliation of Bush to deal with? Cowards!

[Cha]

80. I'd like for everyone to

fucking censor nbc!

[98geoduck]

83. The Mediaocracy is covering for the Corporatocracy which is selling "Democracy"

What shills.

[Jack Rabbit]

84. Hey, NBC

Nielsen this!



Image from Kill Your Television

[Diane R]

85. That's strange. MSNBC just aired an ad for 'Death of a President". n/t

[nealmhughes]

88. While watching the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals tonight, I also

flipped thru a few times to Law and Order, where I saw that tonight's episode was an indictment of the industrial/military complex and the war in general!

Odd that they find Law and Order not disparaging to the President...

I thought there were FCC regs about TV and they generally had to do with nudity and cursing...how odd to think such a thing in this unenlightened age.

[westernpenndem]

89. I heard Chicks song on mainstream country station in PA

Let's hope this will backfire bigtime on NBC. And maybe it will be the best advertisement yet for the documentary!

Meanwhile, flipping through the FM dial along I-80 in Western PA, I was psyched to come across "Cowboy, Take Me Away," loud and clear on Froggy, a giant country music station in the region. Apparently, mainstream country stations are thinking the Chicks aren't so bad after all. I knew time would vindicate them, even in that genre. They're looking pretty darn mainstream these days, considering THEY WERE RIGHT! And listeners obviously aren't calling in to tell the station not to play them. And they're making money again for stations like that one, since they are so damn good.

GO CHICKS!

If you never saw it, be sure to read it: Leonard Pitts' profile in courage on the Dixie Chicks, 5-29-06.

Url: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/columnists/leonard_pitts/14694110.htm

[SeaBob]

92. shut up & sing

anybody want to bet that NBC's refusal to air the ads for the Dixie chicks wont make the Nightly news??:evilgrin:

[goforit]

93. Well NBC by doing this is actually promoting the movie!!!!

[indepat]

94. Has NBCocon ever considered if this administration's actions are disparaging

to the office of president, the presidential oath of office, the Constitution, liberty and freedom, world order, international law and treaties, the environment?

[ckramer]

96. Fuck Brian William

No no no, I am just joking! I watch him every night.



New England Revolution is winning!

[demo dutch]

97. The US is now listed 53rd in the world for Free Press

[The Gunslinger]

99. Theres no tv left for me

FOX on my ban list
ABC on my ban list
CBS close
NBC on my ban list if they censor freedom of speech. They show "disparaging" campaign adds attacking Dems dont they????

[ShotInTheDark]

103. Time to dust off that

fairness doctrine!