Since when did NBC start caring about the content of commercials? *Updated*
Am I the only one who is disturbed that NBC refused to air the following commercial thanking the troops fearing that it was "too political"?
My husband and I rarely watch network television, but when we do, we are always horrified by what is allowed to air in commercials nowadays. Somehow it's perfectly okay to air raunchy, sensual filth in commercials, but a heartfelt message of thanks to the troops who are putting themselves in harm's way everyday? Too offensive.
Update: Well, what do you know? NBC receives a little pressure and all of a sudden they are willing to change their ad standard guidelines. As Laura Ingraham would say, "Power to the People!"
My husband and I rarely watch network television, but when we do, we are always horrified by what is allowed to air in commercials nowadays. Somehow it's perfectly okay to air raunchy, sensual filth in commercials, but a heartfelt message of thanks to the troops who are putting themselves in harm's way everyday? Too offensive.
Update: Well, what do you know? NBC receives a little pressure and all of a sudden they are willing to change their ad standard guidelines. As Laura Ingraham would say, "Power to the People!"
posted by Crystal Paine at 10:47 AM
23 Comments:
This is very disturbing to me and I would like to know to whom I can write to voice my opinion. Do you know? I know it is NBC, but is there an address? I would of course do this in line with being a good testimony! Thanks.
Carla
I guess they refused to air it because the group who ran it refused to take out their URL which the network found to be too controversial. Apparently it goes both ways, so fortunately they aren't just censoring conservatives...small mercies I guess. But I do agree that it's silly...it's too bad the group couldn't have sucked it up, but at the same time, it's retarded the network couldn't compromise either and air something that *may* inspire viewers to visit a website that they *may* stumble across a political message that *may* be controversial and offensive. Of course, political ads are, in and of themselves, such a thing. So that's silly for that reason too...it's ok to show ads of Hilary bashing her fellow candidates, but not this? And also, who says that things like fast food and sex are not controversial? They are. :P
Thank you, THANK YOU for saying something about this! DH and I heard about this on talk radio and we were both appalled. Unbelievable and another reason why we do not watch a lot of TV around here, either.
This is just sick. NBC apparently doesn't realize that it's BECAUSE of our troops that we have the freedoms we have today.
I hate to say it, but I think this country is lost already. Thanks anyway for posting about this. What a hatful of crackpots TV-land consists of.
well, isn't there some rule regarding political ads, etc...
the reason is was not aired was indeed b/c of the group refusing to take out the url to their website (thus making it political) - and as was noted, they got more exposure by refusing to follow the guidelines then by just airing the commercial as was requested...and in this case, the rule does go both ways...so while i'm conservative, let's not be too quick to jump on the proverbial angry conservative bandwagon.
and on some level, shouldn't we not care what they put on tv...b/c it's all already sinful and horrible anyway!
Ashlie: They said it was because of their rule not to air ads which are "issues of public controversy." However, I would argue that the majority of the ads being aired for things like birth control pills, and other unmentionable things would definitely fall under the category of controversial in many portions of the population. So, shouldn't they refuse to air those, too?
They can say whatever they want, but their actions speak louder than words.
I hadn't heard about this-thanks for posting.
As my husband returned from an 18 month tour (12 in Iraq) in September, I feel it is extremley important to SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!
I think that it is sad that they didn't air the commercial but our military family along with our many military friends have seen so much support from the community. For instance, we were able to go to Busch Gardens in Tampa for free because my husband is active duty military and my girls and I were able to go to The Holy Land Experience in Orlando for free because my husband was on TAD. We have seen so many music concerts for free because tickets were given to military personnel and their families. When my hubby was on a cane because he was injured (not a war injury, thank God) so many civilians came up to him to thank him for his service. I could go on and on and on about all the ways, large and small, that everyday people have given our family support and that is what is really important - at least to us - more important than a commercial telling us thanks.
It is the reality of the Godless, thankless culture that we live in. And, indeed, it's grievous.
Besides writing to NBC, etc. I've made it a point to personally thank every uniformed man and woman that I see (in our armed services and our police force as well). I thank them for being on the frontlines to protect me.
A few years ago, I flew out of Dallas to return home to Phoenix and as I headed to the Starbucks there sat about 200 new troupes headed out to Iraq. I felt overwhelmed as I passed them. That sense of pride and thanks for what they are doing for me and for my grandchildren moved me to vocalize my gratitude.
I probably looked like a crazy woman, but it didn't matter - what did matter was that I was obedient to publicly thank them as I walked across their path way. I had at least 200 sets of eyes watch and then about 200 heads nod back in appreciation for my own acknowledgement of what I knew they were sacrificing for me.
I'll never forget that moment and would like to encourage all Biblical Womanhood readers to step out of themselves and when they see a uniformed servant - to thank them.
I believe it's a small, yet personal, way we can touch a life that sacrifices for ours.
Maybe I'm just jaded, but to me the whole issue of which ads are too "political" is up to the network. There have been studies which show that humans are blind to the faults of their particular political persuasion (and this applies across the board - liberals, conservatives, libertarians, communists, etc). What's to prevent a network like NBC from attempting to follow the rules, but in reality being more lenient with their own viewpoints?
Not that it matters in the long run. This world is not my home.
I too am confused about the stuff the permit on commericals. My kids are constantly seeing clips for R films that show plenty of seens that made the movie R! It is appalling.
WOW! The internet made some noise, and NBC listened...
NBC Decides to Air Ads After Complaints
Happily, NBC has now reversed its initially absurd decision:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/08/AR2007120801250_pf.html
I suspect they were getting an earful from the public, and that made a difference.
Best wishes,
Laura
I have a solution. If NBC objects to the organization who produced the ad . . . then maybe NBC should produce and air an ad of its own thanking the troops during the holidays?
I don't know how effective it is, but I've finally begun instigating a policy of writing letters to the stations that air inappropriate commercials, and the companies advertising. This is a sign that when the people speak, marketers listen. I'm encouraged.
To God be all glory,
Lisa of Longbourn
Crystal-I can't help but believe that our culture is becoming more and more prone to censorship. There was absolutely nothing wrong with that commercial. I read that TV stations have banned many of the old patriotic Looney Tunes cartoons from the 40's because they are politically incorrect. It is fine to air feminine hygiene commercials, oral contraceptive ads, etc. etc, but heaven forbid they air bugs bunny waving an american flag or words of affection toward people in the service.
There does seem to be some hypocrisy here since alot of things are already being aired that are semi political and very controversial.
As a Christian who doesn't agree with the Iraq war, I still think it's important to express gratitude to the troops. Not everyone who is serving in Iraq agrees with all that has happened there but is just doing their job to the best of their ability. Just because we thank our troops doesn't mean that we have to agree with all the military politics going on. I don't understand how a simple thank you of appreciation is taking a side politically.
I do think rather than using energy to be angry with NBC and writing letters we could be better employed doing things such as praying for the troops and their families and sending holiday care packages.
What a great tribute.
I can't tell you how many times my husband has to turn his head during network TV commercials because of women that are nearly nude! I don't understand how the networks could not air this commericial, but could air over and over footage of that young man in the Omaha mall shooting...
Its a good reminder to pray for our nation....over and over... when we see things like this.
I don't know if I trust the intentions of FreedomWatch with that ad. Considering how much money it takes to conceive, create, film, edit, and then the money paid for airtime, couldn't that money have gone somewhere else rather than furthering the agenda of a political group? FreedomWatch could have spent that money (likely hundreds of thousands! It's VERY expensive to make a commercial!) making care packages for the troops, a much better way of thanking them in my opinion.
Call me a skeptic, but I'm not so sure the intentions were as pure as FreedomWatch is insisting.
Condom commercials and women in string bikini's are ok, thanking the men and women in uniform are not. Just how twisted have we as a country become?
Call me a little biased here as my husband is separated from us for a second Christmas and a third deployment to Iraq - this one fifteen months. My daughter has missed having her daddy home for three out of her six years of life. We have been apart for five out of eight wedding anniversaries and almost every birthday - but whose counting?!? If anyone wants to take the time to thank my husband and his military brothers for the sacrifices they make whether through a television commercial or any other means it ought to be welcomed. I guess NBC doesn't have very many employees with deployed family members - maybe they would feel differently if they did. Thanks for letting me vent!!
Sincerely - Sheila
Somewhat related:
Hi Crystal!
This morning Brooke and I were watching A Christmas Carol on TV when a commercial came on and it was so inappropriate! As I was scrambling for the remote It just kept saying s-e-x this and that! I was mortified!!!
I couldn't believe they would air such filth during a Christmas special...
I am so ready to ban tv! (well I probably wouldn't ever go that far but I need to do something)
Post a Comment
<< Home