Group Says NBC Refuses to Air Ads Thanking Troops Over Holidays

[Dos Equis]

Probably conflicts too heavily with the media's anti-war crusade. 

Group Says NBC Refuses to Air Ads Thanking Troops Over Holidays
Saturday, December 08, 2007

WASHINGTON —  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, www.freedomswatch.org.

Click here and here to view the ads that NBC won't air.

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 www.freedomswatch.org 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.

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.

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.

E-mails provided to FOX show that NBC also might have objected to the ads on its in-house issue advertising policy.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,315944,00.html

[Tre]

Thanks, NBC.

Between this and the revamping of 'American Gladiators', you guys are definitely making great decisions right now.

[Dos Equis]

Thanks, NBC.

Between this and the revamping of 'American Gladiators', you guys are definitely making great decisions right now.

Is that show back on? 

[Al Doggity]

NBC also declined to run ads for the Dixie Chicks documentary released last year because it violated their controversial ad policy. The policy is well documented.

If freedomwatch sincerely wants to thank the troops- as opposed to simply promoting their website- they have the option of removing their company name from the ads.

[Tre]

Is that show back on? 

The new edition begins airing in January. 

[ATHEIST]

NBC also declined to run ads for the Dixie Chicks documentary released last year because it violated their controversial ad policy. The policy is well documented.

If freedomwatch sincerely wants to thank the troops- as opposed to simply promoting their website- they have the option of removing their company name from the ads.

 I hate it when a company airs an add thanking the troops while disguising it as and add for their company. Car companies do that, they say stuff like "we're having a sale in honor of our troops" bull chit.

[Decker]

Probably conflicts too heavily with the media's anti-war crusade. 
...

The media appear to be somewhat fickle.  Every single politician and media figure and news outlet was pro-war until the truth started coming out about Mr. Bush's lies and utter corruption in funding/starting/prosecuting the war.

Then some of the media started to question him and his war.  But really, how many mainstream media outlets are anti-war?  Where's your proof?  NBC is hardly a liberal bastion.

I remember all the symbolism over substance repubs and news anchors with lapel flags and purple fingers.  I just don't see much evidence of that kind from the anti-war crowd.

Are you Pro-war Beach Bum?

[Dos Equis]

The new edition begins airing in January. 

That's great.  I loved that show.  Where do I try out?   

[240 is Back]

Every single politician and media figure and news outlet was pro-war until the truth started coming out about Mr. Bush's lies and utter corruption in funding/starting/prosecuting the war.

Barrack Obama was not.
Ron Paul was not.
Dennis Kuscinish was not.

[Decker]

Barrack Obama was not.
Ron Paul was not.
Dennis Kuscinish was not.

Neither was Russ Feingold.

Too bad none of those guys was in the mass media the way the Pro-war politicians were. 

Until very recently, no one even knew who Obama or Paul was.  Kucinich is not allowed on TV.  Only Russ Feingold had a somewhat known reputation.

I know there were isolated politicians and news media against the invasion.  The point I was trying to make was that, at the outset, the country was by and large pro-war.

[240 is Back]

i agree there.

[Dos Equis]

The media appear to be somewhat fickle.  Every single politician and media figure and news outlet was pro-war until the truth started coming out about Mr. Bush's lies and utter corruption in funding/starting/prosecuting the war.

Then some of the media started to question him and his war.  But really, how many mainstream media outlets are anti-war?  Where's your proof?  NBC is hardly a liberal bastion.

I remember all the symbolism over substance repubs and news anchors with lapel flags and purple fingers.  I just don't see much evidence of that kind from the anti-war crowd.

Are you Pro-war Beach Bum?

What do you mean by "Pro-war"? 

[Decker]

What do you mean by "Pro-war"? 

You've referenced the media as 'anti-war' so I am just asking if you are pro-war.  You seem to have a position on what 'anti-war' means.  What do you think 'pro-war' means?

I guess 'anti-war' means not supporting the Iraq war and 'pro-war' means showing support for the Iraq war effort.

[Dos Equis]

You've referenced the media as 'anti-war' so I am just asking if you are pro-war.  You seem to have a position on what 'anti-war' means.  What do you think 'pro-war' means?

I guess 'anti-war' means not supporting the Iraq war and 'pro-war' means showing support for the Iraq war effort.

Thanks for the clarification.  Yes I support the Iraq war effort.  I supported the decision to go in and have supported the troops since day one.  I do not agree with how the war has been managed and believe there have been many mistakes, but I do support what we've already accomplished and what we're trying to do.   

[Decker]

Thanks for the clarification.  Yes I support the Iraq war effort.  I supported the decision to go in and have supported the troops since day one.  I do not agree with how the war has been managed and believe there have been many mistakes, but I do support what we've already accomplished and what we're trying to do.   

Thanks for your answer BB.