During Healthcare ‘Special’ ABC Refuses Paid Ads That Oppose Obamacare
Posted on June 17, 2009
-By Warner Todd Huston
So, not only is ABC not planning to include opposing voices to President Obama’s healthcare proposals during its special presentation next week — though ABC does claim “those in the audience” will ask questions of the president — it is refusing to even allow groups that oppose Obamacare to purchase paid for advertisements to air during the healthcare special.
Rick Scott, chairman of Conservatives for Patients Rights, contacted ABC and inquired about purchasing some ad time during the Obamainfomercial, but was refused the sale. Scott wanted to air his 60-second ad before the healthcare show started. Though it was refused by the national Network, apparently it is still possible for Scott the buy time on local affiliates should he desire it.
Scott released a statement earlier today:
It is unfortunate–and unusual–that ABC is refusing to accept paid advertising that would present an alternative viewpoint for the White House health care event. Health care is an issue that touches every American and all potential pieces of legislation have carried a price tag in excess of $1 trillion of taxpayers’ money. The American people deserve a healthy, robust debate on this issue and ABC’s decision–as of now–to exclude even paid advertisements that present an alternative view does a disservice to the public. Our organization is more than willing to purchase ad time on ABC to present an alternative viewpoint and our hope is that ABC will reconsider having such viewpoints be part of this crucial debate for the American people. We were surprised to hear that paid advertisements would not be accepted when we inquired and we would certainly be open to purchasing time if ABC would reconsider.
One has to wonder why ABC won’t even permit a 60-second ad that opposes Obamacare to air? Is 60 seconds too much time for what might be considered an effort at a sort of “fairness doctrine”?
**Update**
An emailer notes that ABC World News does not feature local affiliate breaks during its air time. I am getting some conflicting info as to whether this healthcare “special” is included under the rubric “ABC World News” or if it is a separate deal, but it is possible that there is no local ad time available for opposing voices at all, unless the network accepts such ads.
» Filed Under 1st Amendment, Anti-Americanism, Anti-Capitalism, Delusional Dupes and DUmmies, Democrats, Economy, Fairness Doctrine, Healthcare, Hypocrisy/Situational Ethics, Journalistic Malpractice, Liberal Media/Bias, Liberal World, News, Propaganda, Socialism, Viewpoint discrimination, liberalism
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One Response to “During Healthcare ‘Special’ ABC Refuses Paid Ads That Oppose Obamacare”
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Does ABC fear that Obama’s health care plan won’t be able to stand on its own merits?
“To stack the playing cards” against the opposite view, only makes me wonder about this so called “national health care plan”. If the only way the plan is going to be accepted is to limit the views and comments, then the plan is not any good.
ABC’s actions have only substantiated my fears about Obama’s health care plan…a half baked idea that will cause American more trouble in the long run.