Free Speech and the Super Bowl

"SOUTHWARK.TV" has no policy other than to promote the possibility of the ordinary citizen having their say. In that cause we help people young and old to acquire some skills that may aid them.

The following story from the United States of America as it prepares for its annual American Football jamboree might give you pause for thought.

Ever felt that the big boys are serious about playing the game the way they want - and never mind transparency, accountability and free speech ?

This article is passed on from an organisation that some may dislike because it uses labels such as 'activist'. Read the piece anyway and make up your own mind.

- - - - -

CBS plays politics with speech

-----Original Message-----
From: freepress_e_activist-bounces@mediareform.net
[mailto:freepress_e_activist-bounces@mediareform.net]
On Behalf Of Robert McChesney
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2004 11:28 AM
To: freepress_e_activist@mediareform.net
Subject: [FP] CBS plays politics with speech

Last week, CBS censored free speech by refusing to sell airtime to the MoveOn Voter Fund for a political ad during the Super Bowl. The ad is critical of the Bush Administration's run-up of the federal deficit.

CBS -- owned by media giant Viacom -- says it doesn't run
"controversial" ads during the Super Bowl. But it plans to air a White House drug policy spot during the game. The last such ad linked marijuana smoking to terrorism... hardly uncontroversial.

It is no coincidence that the White House and the FCC are pushing through new media ownership limits at the behest of CBS and other media giants -- efforts that MoveOn and Free Press activists have been fighting. CBS/Viacom spent ?subject=From Website'>4 million lobbying Congress in the last four years alone.

CBS is playing politics with the right to free speech: another example of media monopoly's chilling effect on democratic debate.

We need your help to spread the word about CBS and the growing media crisis. Many members of Congress continue to fight media consolidation because millions of Americans have raised their voices. This recent insult proves that we need millions more.

First, forward this email to everyone you know who cares about free speech and democracy.

Next, go to http://www.mediareform.net/media to learn more and sign up to be a Free Press E-Activist if you are not one already.

Help us expand the number of activists working to build a media system that serves the public interest, not just corporate interests. Our democracy depends on it.

Onward,
The Free Press Team

P.S. Stay up to date on news relating to media reform with our free daily headline service. Sign up at
http://www.mediareform.net/news/deliveries.php . Give it a try; both subscribing and unsubscribing are easy.

P.P.S. Support media reform by becoming a Free Press Action Fund member at http://www.mediareform.net/support.php