To go along with my last post on CBS approving a pro-life advocacy group but not a gay dating service ad for the Superbowl, the company has also recently approved and then rejected a 15-second ad that was scheduled to air on CBS's Super Screen billboard in New York City's Times Square. The ad was sponsored by NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, and promoted legalization of marijuana for the purpose helping the economy through the taxes that could be collected from legalization. After the contract was signed, CBS realized that NORML had actually managed to raise the necessary funding, and they suddenly did an about-face on the agreement, sending the head of NORML a short note that read, "I just received word from CBS and they will not approve your ad. If CBS changes their morals we will let you know."
NORML Foundation Executive Allen St. Pierre responded with the following comment: "Major media corporations like CBS have no problem airing programming that allows them to profit off the public's interest in marijuana and marijuana law reform, such as Showtime's hit seires Weeds and the CBSnerws.com online series "Marijuana Nation." Yet these same corporate entities balk at airing media that calls on reforming America's criminal marijuana policies--policies that have led directly to the arrest of over 20 million Americans since 1965. How can advocates be expected to change these failed policies whent those that control America's airwaves refuse to allow them a public forum to voice their point of view?"
Here's the "immoral" ad if you're interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tqW9Kj8DVU
No comments:
Post a Comment