As a denizen of a "swing state", (and one who is very, VERY happy to welcome some new members to that designation,) I thought I'd post a bit of a conversation that I've been having with the local NBC affiliate.
More...
My brother in law forwarded me the response he got from a station manager, after he complained about the American Issues Project ad (I am disinclined to link to it, if you haven't already seen it, Google works.)
Subject: Response to your complaint Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:02:42 -0400 From: XXXXXXX@wpxi.com To: XXXXXX@hotmail.com CC: XXXXXXXX@paforchange.com
Pittsburghers, like all Americans, have long cherished their right to express opinions freely. We may not like what is said on occasion, but we defend the right for people to express different views. The spot produced and financed by The American Issues Project was reviewed thoroughly by WPXI's legal team. The attorneys also reviewed the counter claims by the Obama campaign. At this time we have determined we will run the ad. It becomes a slippery slope when TV stations take it upon themselves to censor political speech.
Thank you for writing.
My brother in law's response was to basically blow that response off. I thought it merited a little more examiniation, and therefore decided to fire off my own e-mail:
I understand that it is WPXI's decision to run the American Issues Project ad. I also understand that, when faced with a complaint, your response was " We may not like what is said on occasion, but we defend the right for people to express different views." I, too, believe that it is every American's right to express one's views. If the ad stated Senator McCain's stance on the issues, or even was approved by the senator, I would not care. However. I have seen the ad, and the ad is no one's view; it is character assassination. WPXI deemed the ad's one word quotes given with no pretense of context as acceptable? Really? That's very disappointing coming from supposed journalists. As such, let me assure you that I am going to spend only one more day watching your station, to note your advertisers, especially the local ones. I will then no longer support those advertisers, and encourage my friends and family to do the same. I will also write those advertisers and explain why I am no longer using their goods and services.
I figured I'd never hear from them again. Surprisingly, I got this:
I'm sorry to hear of your decision not to watch us. I have to ask, has any other TV station responded to your complaints? (Since all of the main TV stations in Pittsburgh chose to air the spot I am assuming you contacted all and that your boycott will include all Pittsburgh media?) It was not an easy decision to run the anti-Obama spot. I don't like the spot. I don't like the one currently being aired that slams McCain about how many houses he owns and what he thinks is middle class either. I hate to see both campaigns going negative and stretching the truth in these attack ads. If I choose not to air the anti-Obama spot I'll have to choose not to run the anti McCain spot as well. Will there be other spots attacking each other? The campaigns (both sides) themselves are asking us to run these negative ads. Have you written to each campaign and told them you would boycott them or withhold money? I think it is a terrible position these campaigns have placed the American public in. So that I am clear, you would like me (and WPXI) to be the final word on which spots make it on the air and selectively which ones don't? I believe the lawyers from those campaigns will have a field day with TV stations as they claim their rights as a campaign to express their views were negated by a TV station. There seem to be no easy answers on this one. I know you disagree with the decision we've made to run the spot but at least I've responded to your concerns in writing. Have any of the other TV stations? Have the campaigns that you should have written responded? Respectfully,
My first thought was: whine much?
My second was to tell him nicely that he was the only one who had responded (true, no one else even had the guts,) and to say that he was comparing apples and oranges (Obama approved spot vs. independent hit job.) I told him if he was so concerned, maybe he should just air ones that end with "...and I approve this message." In this manner, the American people could hear the rhetoric coming directly from the campaigns, and then decide for themselves. His response:
crickets
Yeah, pal, that's what I thought. Anyway, it seems we're getting under their skins a bit, at least. Don't quit, Kossacks. I'm a frequent reader, but seldom a poster, so I know I'm not well known, but if you live in Western PA/Eastern Ohio/Northern WVa, keep up the full court press on local media!