Networks bar church ads
Joel Prusi emailed the link to this story that reports both CBS and NBC have refused to run ads by the United Church of Christ that proclaim the church is welcoming to homosexuals.

In a written statement to the church, CBS, a unit of Viacom, said the fact that the Bush administration had proposed a constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman made the advertisement "unacceptable for broadcast."

NBC said the ad violated a long-standing policy of the network not to allow commercials that dealt with issues of public controversy. NBC is part of NBC Universal, which is 80 percent owned by General Electric Co. ., with the rest owned by Vivendi Universal.

Of course, pro-homosexual lobbies weighed in, too.

"CBS saying that they wouldn't run it because the message conflicts with anti-gay legislation put forward by the White House does call into question their actions and business practices," said GLAAD spokesman Michael Young.

I have to admit I'm just as baffled as Michael is. Does the CBS statement mean that the network will no longer run ads that are contrary to the position of the Bush administration? I can't believe that and wouldn't hope it's true anyway.

Besides, this administration has never said that homosexuals should have no religious life or church membership, so what is it about the ad that conflicts with "anti-gay legislation" (a bias-loaded term) supported by the White House? There is no proposed legislation that regulates church membership or attendance by homosexuals.

CBS's stated reason for refusing that ads is untenable and nonsensical. NBC's makes more sense - I don't necessarily agree with it - but at least from a purely business angle it's supportable.

A little over a year ago, The United Methodist Church got snubbed by Reuters, owner of the big billboard in New York City's Times Square. The UMC wanted to run a "welcome"-type ad but was turned down because the UMC is, well, religious. The UMC finally prevailed, though.

by Donald Sensing, 12/3/2004 09:45:28 AM. Permalink |