CBS and issue ads

[Poiuyt]

As we all know, CBS would not air the ad produced by moveon.org. I just heard that they will be airing an ad from the White House promoting the bush Medicare program. And they will be paying for this with taxpayer money.

Something very wrong is going on over at CBS.

[SharonAnn]

1. They're already doing it, aren't they?

Your tax money at work. Creating and running commercials to tell you why your money is well spent when it's "given" to the for-profit HMOs and prescription drug companies.

[sallyseven]

2. I contacted CBS already

Can't understand why they haven't replied. Was it something I said?

[woofless]

10. Ha, Ha..me too.

Sent an email last night questioning their hypocrisy and haven/t heard a word back. I am indeed shocked.

[tom_paine]

3. It's leagalized, shameless, right-in-broad-daylight bribery

So much that was once illegal is now legal, if only for the Imperial Family and their minions.

[Mr_Scarecrow]

4. I thought it was just during the Stupor Bowl

that they won't run issue ads. Did they reject the moveon ad for any time period?

[papau]

5. Here is Moveon with link to send email to CBS media sales

We didn't think the hypocrisy at CBS headquarters could get any worse. But it just did.

As you know, CBS refused to run MoveOn Voter Fund's "Child's Pay" ad -- perhaps the most tasteful and uncontroversial advocacy ad in history -- during the Super Bowl. CBS executives claimed they had a blanket policy against all so-called "issue" ads.

Yesterday, we learned that the network plans to broadcast an ad promoting the Bush Medicare prescription drug law. This is part of a $13 million taxpayer-financed TV campaign to take the heat off the White House for pushing through a drug plan that benefits drug companies and insurance companies more than Medicare recipients.

The White House ad features the tagline "Same Medicare. More Benefits." But a report by Consumers Union last month said that most people covered by Medicare will wind up spending more for prescription drugs, as a result of the provisions in the law which favor drug companies. According to the Washington Post, the campaign is intended "to counteract Democratic criticism that changes to the (Medicare) program will harm older Americans."

If that isn't a controversial issue ad, we don't know what is. But since CBS appears to be changing its policy, our Voter Fund has submitted our own Medicare ad which exposes the facts behind this spin campaign to run on CBS. So far, we haven't heard back. Please give CBS a call today to let them know that they need to either pull the White House ads or run ours.

You can reach CBS at:

Phone:
CBS Comment Line
[phone]

Email:
[e-mail]

Web form:
http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.shtml

After you've called or emailed, please help us track the number of calls and emails that are pouring in by going to:
http://www.moveonvoterfund.org/cbs.html?id=2300-3047713-3VNj3QuWiLlel6qANrbm5Q

We're spreading out the calls across a number of relevant CBS numbers, so hopefully you won't get a busy signal. Also, we have no quarrel with CBS News or any CBS journalists, who have actually given fair coverage to CBS Corporate's unfair decision. Please don't call the CBS news desk.

There's another issue involved here that needs to be taken very seriously: if Bush's Medicare ad is intended to function as a campaign ad (and that clearly appears to be the case) then this may constitute a criminal election law violation. In fact, the ad company which made the ad which will air on CBS also works for the Bush/Cheney re-election committee. We've put in a Freedom of Information Act request to the Department of Health and Human Services to begin the process of establishing the facts in this case.

For now, help us hold CBS accountable by asking them to stop running the Bush Medicare ad -- or to accept ours.

[BlackVelvetElvis]

6. very funny that they have no problem...

with the juvenile, mysogynist, tasteless ads they deemed as worthy to air.
Screw CBS.

[Wwagsthedog]

7. My Letter to Viacom/CBS

[e-mail]

Madams, Sirs,

Please demonstrate Viacom/CBS evenhandedness by running the MoveOn Medicare advertisement on your network. It has come to my attention that CBS plans to run the taxpayer financed ad supporting the Bush Medicare prescription drug law. In an effort to overcome the bad publicity CBS garnered by failure to run the MoveOn "Child's Pay" ad during the Super Bowl, it would behoove you to show your support for free speech in the media by presenting an opposing view to that of the White House.

Please be assured that close, grassroots scrutiny of Viacom/CBS, and other media outlets, regarding support of free speech will be very apparent in 2004 going forward to the elections in November. It will be your responsibility to help raise the credibility of network media outlets that are now held in very low esteem by a growing number of Americans. If you can begin to show that you are interested in showing other ideas on issues you present to the public, your network will increase its acceptance by a larger sector of the public.

Success in this endeavor can only improve Viacom/CBS standing as fair proponent in presentation of important issues facing the country in its future. As an avid viewer of 60 Minutes for many years, I know you can succeed, if you want to.

Sincerely,

[bluedog]

8. I seen it last night on CBS!!

It was on when "Without a Trace" it was the one with the kids doing the work...maybe it was a fluke..but it was there!!

[madfloridian]

9. Go here to protest their use of our money.

www.retiredamericans.org

Join for only $10. They are very activist against this bill.

[loudsue]

12. Thanks for the link, Madfloridian!

I forgot to "add to favorites" during the medicare debate when this organization showed up on DU...and now I've got it!

I'm joining!!

I keep getting AARP solicitation mailings (for health & life insurance, and all other types of benefits (?) for seniors). With each ad, I write a NASTY note telling them I'll NEVER support ANYTHING tied to the AARP because of the AARP leadership's support of the medicare bill congress passed. Let the AARP keep paying for the postage (they're all postage paid envenlopes). I hope they go broke.

:kick:

[blondeatlast]

13. Great organization--the alternative to AARP.

[macedc]

11. Don' Ever Watch CBS

There is only one solution to the kind of thing CBS is doing and its the only thing they care about
If enough people turn of CBS totally (yes even such things as the superbowl) they will get the message, otherwise its all hot air