Many of my non-US readers may not even be aware that an effort is afoot to build a 13-story mosque on 'Ground Zero,' the site of the former World Trade Center.
Two of the major US television networks - NBC and CBS - are refusing to run the ad.
In her letter rejecting the spot, NBC Universal advertising standards manager Jennifer Riley wrote:Sorry, but that's ridiculous. Unless there's actionable libel involved (which this wasn't) or incitement to criminal activity (none of that either) there is no reason for a major network to refuse a political ad. This strikes me as yet another instance of pre-emptive political correctness.
"An ad questioning the wisdom of building a mosque at ground zero would meet our issues of public controversy advertising criteria. However, this ad which ambiguously defines 'they' as referenced in the spot makes it unclear as to whether the reference is to terrorists or to the Islamic religious organization that is sponsoring the building of the mosque. Consequently, the ad is not acceptable under our guidelines for broadcast."
A CBS official, Marty Daly, also rejected the ad, according to e-mails shared by NRT PAC executive director Scott Wheeler.
"They have very selective standards — they’ll run anything MoveOn.org throws out there," said Wheeler, also citing a controversial 2004 NAACP ad invoking the slain James Byrd.
The word "they," he said, "is a reference to the people who are putting up the money with the intent of provoking us."
