NBC and CBS and freedom of speech

It's amazing to me how a television Network can tell others they can't air an ad because it is too controversial.

United Churches of Christ put together and ad showing bouncers excluding gays and minorities from a church and said that Jesus didn't exclude people and neither do they.

With all the garbage on TV today, I can't see how this ad is even in it's league.

Watch the Ad here.

Here's an article that talks about it.

Here's my favorite quote from the head of UCC

“It’s ironic that after a political season awash in commercials based on fear and deception by both parties seen on all the major networks, an ad with a message of welcome and inclusion would be deemed too controversial,” said Rev. John Thomas, UCC’s general minister and president. “What’s going on here?”

I think this former head of the FCC hit the nail on the head as to why we should be concerned about the network's action. I'm not saying that we should support the Ad in and of itself. BUt, that we should support the ability of a group trying to deliver a message.

“The consolidation of TV network ownership into the hands of a few executives today puts freedom of speech and freedom of religious expression in jeopardy,” says former FCC Commissioner Gloria Tristani, currently managing director of the UCC’s Office of Communication. “By refusing to air the United Church of Christ’s paid commercial, CBS and NBC are stifling religious expression. They are denying the communities they serve a suitable access to differing ideas and expressions.”