Group Says NBC Refuses to Air Ads Thanking Troops Over Holidays

cnredd · #1 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

NBC has nixed holiday advertisements meant to thank troops for serving overseas in opposition to the inclusion of a non-profit's Web address.

The ads, paid for by the non-profit Freedom's Watch, are a simple thank you, the group says, with people shown paying gratitude to members of the military and the final frame showing the group's Web address, FreedomsWatch > Home.

NBC is refusing to air the ads as long as the address is included, according to an e-mail exchange between NBC and the group, which Freedom's Watch provided to FOX News.

"Per my previous email, the FreedomsWatch > Home website will have to be redacted from the commercials for approval. This comes from Alan Wurtzel and Rick Cotton," according to one of the notes.

Wurtzel is president of research at NBC. Rick Cotton is general counsel for NBC Universal.

Speaking with FOX on Friday, Wurtzel said NBC has no problem with the content of the ad, specificallythe well-wishes to troops.

However, he said, the link to the website violates their policy on controversial issue advertising because it encourages political action and other activities. He said the policy is applied consistently across the board and this group was not targeted in any way.Freedom's Watch President and CEO Bradley Blakeman told FOX on Friday that this is not the first time NBC has turned down his group's ads and believes it has a specific objection to his group's support for the War on Terror.

"NBC asked us to re-vamp our Web site. They wanted to censor us, and we said, 'No we're not going to be censored,'" Blakeman said, noting that the organization's Web site points to more than 20 other non-profit Web sites where readers can thank and support troops.

NBC also objected to using images including military uniforms and vehicles and asked for proof of government approval for the group's use of the images in its ads.

Freedom's Watch says it has never been questioned on that before and paid for the rights to use the images from an independent licensing company.

Bullshit...

This is the same crap that was done a few months ago when CBS & NBC didn't allow ads thanking the troops...before they came up with the new "no web address" excuse...

From the CEO of Freedom's Watch...

Quote:

We understand that MSNBC and CNBC (the “Networks”) are refusing to sell advertising time to Freedom’s Watch (“FW”) to air a series of educational advertisements. It is our understanding that the purported basis for the denial is a Network policy denying access to groups that wish to sponsor advertising on controversial issues of public importance...

...As noted above, it’s troubling that the Networks appear to be airing messages on issues on a selective basis. Our research indicates that your network has accepted and aired advertisements dealing with controversial issues of national importance in the recent past. For example, the Networks aired an advertisement entitled “Shameless Politicians” sponsored by Move America Forward regarding the war on terror in October 2004. In November 2006, the Networks aired advertisements sponsored by the American Medical Association entitled “Patient Voice” concerning the controversial issue of access to health care and coverage for the uninsured. During July 2007, the Networks aired advertisements sponsored by the Save Darfur Coalition. Your history of airing other issue advocacy advertisements makes the denial of FW advertisements troubling and raises the issue of whether your denial is based on an editorial disagreement with FW's message.

Here's the ad...and just look at all that controversy!!!!!...

YouTube - Holiday Support the Troops Ad

Spencer Collins · #2 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 08:26 PM

Total Bullshit

This is a wonderful ad...

tristanrobin · #3 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 09:19 PM

Networks turn down advertisements ALL THE TIME ... this isn't really news. There are all kinds of objections.

However, I found this quote on the issue:

Quote:

Wurtzel also expressed general concerns that NBC has about people with "deep pockets" being able to buy up a great deal of advertising and affect public perception on any issue, solely because they have the money to do it.

FOXNews.com - Group Says NBC Refuses to Air Ads Thanking Troops Over Holidays - Politics | Republican Party | Democratic Party | Political Spectrum

I think that's very responsible

saltwn · #4 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 11:16 PM

I couldn't see the add, cause I'm still on dial-up.
I don't know why, if that is the only reason, the web address isn't scrapped. Seems like a fair compromise to me.
-Silly me, did I forget most of this stuff is meant to be polarizing? (On both sides)

And if all it is is thanking the troops, why should a network object (if they really do object to the content)?

That's the same as if I wanted (which I don't) to display a U.S. flag and someone said it was politically incorrect and much too controversial.

As I pointed out already, this is about each side looking good in front of their people.

Mikeyy · #5 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 11:43 PM

Freedom watch is sneaky huh. Why not run the ad without the address? If the important thing is to thank the troops. Because they are a right wing group trying to use the ad as a political advert.

cnredd · #6 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikeyy

Freedom watch is sneaky huh. Why not run the ad without the address? If the important thing is to thank the troops. Because they are a right wing group trying to use the ad as a political advert.

You didn't read the article did you?...

Quote:

"NBC asked us to re-vamp our Web site. They wanted to censor us, and we said, 'No we're not going to be censored,'" Blakeman said, noting that the organization's Web site points to more than 20 other non-profit Web sites where readers can thank and support troops.

The point of the ad was two-fold...

One - the obvious...People thanking the soldiers...Notice that it did not ONLY thank the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq...They thanked ALL troops...That includes the military doing goodwill tours in tsunami and earthquake areas and sitting in arctic stations and running the crucible in California and right down to the folks at your local fort...To say that thanking ALL of the military is political tells me you just don't like the military...

Two - The latter part of the ad is explicitly telling the viewers how they can thank the troops personally themselves...That's the part NBC wants removed, which negates a major part of the intentions of the organization...

I find it hard to believe that you think going to a website to learn how you can thank the troops personally is a "political action" as NBC does...

Mikeyy · #7 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnredd

You didn't read the article did you?...

The point of the ad was two-fold...

One - the obvious...People thanking the soldiers...Notice that it did not ONLY thank the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq...They thanked ALL troops...That includes the military doing goodwill tours in tsunami and earthquake areas and sitting in arctic stations and running the crucible in California and right down to the folks at your local fort...To say that thanking ALL of the military is political tells me you just don't like the military...

Two - The latter part of the ad is explicitly telling the viewers how they can thank the troops personally themselves...That's the part NBC wants removed, which negates a major part of the intentions of the organization...

I find it hard to believe that you think going to a website to learn how you can thank the troops personally is a "political action" as NBC does...

No I understand. Thats all good. But when I looked up the organization it wasn't as benign as the ad. And your right I am probably being a little sensitive. You would be also if the ad came from MoveOn or somebody like that. Tell me that you wouldn't wonder what they were up to.
I am thankful everyday for our kids. NBC thanks the troops too I'll bet.

tristanrobin · #8 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnredd

'No we're not going to be censored,'" Blakeman said

hmmmmmmm

wonder if that's some right wing asshole relative (that's my last name - and it's not all that common)

cnredd · #9 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tristanrobin

hmmmmmmm

wonder if that's some right wing asshole relative (that's my last name - and it's not all that common)

There's a good chance considering that the idea to actually thank the troops for their service would only be coming from a "right wing asshole"...

cnredd · #10 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 06:00 PM

UPDATE - Drudge is reporting that...

Quote:

**Under pressure from outraged viewers, NBC has reversed its decision not to air the Freedom's Watch ads thanking troops... Developing...

No link to details yet...just that line on DRUDGE REPORT 2008®

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