dennett@SRI-NIC.ARPA (08/10/86)
> There is a terrible view that people will believe whatever > appears on the screen (most often held by those whose opinion is > not broadcast in prime-time). You want your views sent out? > Pay the money. Buy the commercial time. ... - CWM] I used to believe this too-- that anyone with the cash could put whatever they wanted on TV. Even LaRouche was able to buy time during the last election. What changed my mind was the recent business with W.R. Grace. Remember him? He chaired a presidential task force that came up with several hundred places the federal government could save money by eliminating overlapping and outdated programs. Anyway, early this year Grace paid to have a commercial produced to alert Americans to the consequences of our growing federal deficit. Called "The Deficit Trials of 2010" (or something close) it depicted children of a future, bankrupt America putting the current generation on trial for allowing the deficit to destroy the country. It didn't say anything about what should be done about the deficit, just that if allowed to continue it could have dire economic consequences. Grace then asked the three major networks to sell him time to run the commercial. All three refused, saying basically "Sorry, but we won't run ads presenting a political viewpoint. Political questions can only be covered in a 'balanced' manner, by our own public affairs departments" (if and when they get around to it, of course). I don't have any objection to the networks being able to choose who they sell ad time too. But no one should make the mistake of assuming that TV is an open forum for anyone to express any viewpoint. The networks have their biases, and these effect even paid advertising. Unfortunately most Americans don't read, and get their entire (distorted) view of the world from TV. They may not believe everything they see, but they also never realize that there are any alternatives to society as it is now. Steve Dennett [ Since I *saw* this commercial on TV several times, I'd say that Mr. Grace eventually succeeded in getting his message to the public. The three 'major networks' can't rule the airwaves like they used to. The success of CNN, TBS, Metromedia, Fox, SNC (until bought out by CNN), HBO, TMC, MTV, CBN, USA, MSG, Nashville Network and kin show that cable TV has brought about change in TV viewing. Diversity is the wave of TV's future. If you don't believe this, check how many albums Slim Whitman sold advertising on "only" WTBS. I think the result is - and will continue to increasingly be - a larger range of viewpoints available to the viewer. - CWM] -------
kfl%mx.lcs.mit.edu@MC.LCS.MIT.EDU.UUCP (08/17/86)
From: Steve Dennett <DENNETT@SRI-NIC.ARPA>
... All three [TV networks] refused, saying basically "Sorry, but
we won't run ads presenting a political viewpoint. Political
questions can only be covered in a 'balanced' manner, by our own
public affairs departments" (if and when they get around to it, of
course).
[ ... The three 'major networks' can't rule the airwaves like they
used to. ... CNN, TBS, Metromedia, Fox, ... HBO, TMC, MTV, CBN,
USA, MSG, ... - CWM]
This isn't a conspiracy amongst the three major TV networks. It is
the notorious 'fairness doctrine' that the unelected FCC commisioners
have required all radio, TV, satellite, and cable stations and
networks to kowtow to or lose their license. The First Amendment does
not apply to broadcast media.
The fact that this advertisement was finally broadcast is no more a
defense of this system than releasing Sakharov would be a proof that
the Soviet political system is acceptable.
...Keith
[ I take it that no amount of anecdotal proof will make you reconsider
the principal, eh? -CWM]
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