NBC reversed course Saturday and decided to air a conservative group’s television ad thanking U.S. troops.
The ad, by the group Freedom’s Watch, asks viewers to remember the troops during the holiday season. NBC had refused to air the ad because it guides viewers to the Freedom’s Watch Web site, which NBC said was too political.
But in a statement issued Saturday evening, NBC said:
“We have reviewed and changed our ad standards guidelines and made the decision that our policy will apply to content only and not to a referenced Web site. Based on these amended standards the Freedom’s Watch ad will begin to run as early as Sunday.â€
NBC’ head of standards and practices, Alan Wurtzel, notified Freedom’s Watch’s media consultant Saturday by e-mail, writing: “This will confirm that the Freedom’s Watch spot is approved for air.â€
NBC initially said that airing the spot would violate the network’s prohibition on controversial issue ads. Wurtzel, in an interview Friday with The Associated Press, said NBC found nothing wrong with the ad’s content, but rather objected to the link to http://www.freedomswatch.org/ viewing the Web site as too political.
The group’s home page is critical of liberals and has a link to a page urging lawmakers not to “cut and run†from the war in Iraq. The home page also links to another Freedom’s Watch page dedicated to ways to assist the troops and provides links to organizations that send care packages to soldiers.
News of NBC’s initial rejection caused an angry reaction on the Internet. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, appearing on the Fox News Channel on Friday, called for a boycott of NBC.
Freedom’s Watch, a group backed by wealthy Republican fundraisers, has emerged as one of the best-financed conservative groups. It seeks to be a vocal advocate of President Bush’s current policy in Iraq.
Story Here:
NBC Reverses Course, Agrees to Air Troop ‘Thank You’ Ad
And a Texas Hat Tip to An Ol’ Broad’s Ramblings where I saw this wonderful news…
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The TRUE reason is: they actually caught SHIT for being stupid. ANOTHER reason that ANY Demorat elected President will do their BEST to ensure that you, me and other are muzzled by the Fairness Doctrine and any other doctrine or act in which they can conjure the ability to LIMIT OUR FREE SPEECH. I have one quesiton: don’t you think Wurtzel and other top NBC executives speak regularly to their East Coast overeducated Martha’s Vineyard Demorat and white elite compadres over cocktail parties and such? I SURE do. Make no mistake, they HATE that Conservatives are COMMUNICATING more effectively than every before — and that we are getting RESULTS.
BZ
The Conservative blogosphere is strong BZ, we have become a force in American politics…
Chalk one up for the good guys!
Hit ‘em in their pocket books and it will get their attention every time. The Internet has given us the ability to communicate to millions without having to wait on the mainstream media to tell the truth – which they hardly ever do! Conservative blogs represent the heart and soul of America.
I have just left nbc an email thanking them for stabbing the troops in the back . back the dems. nbc.
I think this is just another example of NBC/MSNBC bending to the will of whatever way the wind blows. They are constantly losing credibility as far as I’m concerned and will report in whatever light they think people want to hear in their hopeless search for ratings.