Comcast refuses to air anti-war ads during State of Union

AP | 1/28/03 | JOHN CURRAN

[kattracks]

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- An anti-war group accused the nation's biggest cable company on Tuesday of refusing to air TV ads opposing a U.S. war with Iraq.

Peace Action Education Fund spent $5,000 for air time for six 30-second ads to be aired by Philadelphia-based Comcast Corp. beginning Tuesday night.

The ads were to be broadcast over CNN in the Washington, D.C., area. They were bought to coincide with President Bush's State of the Union speech Tuesday night, in which Bush was expected to reiterate his case for war.

But Comcast's legal department notified the group Tuesday morning that the ads would not air, saying they were "unsubstantiated," according to the Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of the 2,000-member peace group, which is based in Princeton.

Comcast officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Two telephone messages and an e-mail request for response went unanswered.

The ads show citizens expressing their opposition to war with Iraq and were to run twice on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.

The idea was to reach Congress members, Cabinet members and other Washington, D.C., decision makers, he said.

"This is an outrageous infringement on our First Amendment rights, in the center of our democracy, Washington, D.C.," Moore said.

"Obviously, the president and the administration are ratcheting up their advocacy for war, culminating with the state of the union address. We thought it was a good time to ratchet up our opposition. If people are going to see his message, there's no reason they shouldn't see ours, too," said Moore, a United Church of Christ minister.

[ewing]

Time Warp that, Susie Sarandon!!

[Jonathon Spectre]

"This is an outrageous infringement on our First Amendment rights, in the center of our democracy, Washington, D.C.," Moore said.

You can say whatever you want. A private business is not obligated to carry your pro-Saddam tripe.

[wideawake]

"This is an outrageous infringement on our First Amendment rights, in the center of our democracy, Washington, D.C.," Moore said.

You need to read that Constitution, buddy. Comcast isn't required by law to provide you with any forum at any price.

[Inspectorette]

Comcast is my cable company. Think I'll send them a thank-you e-mail.

[TomServo]

"This is an outrageous infringement on our First Amendment rights, in the center of our democracy, Washington, D.C.," Moore said.

I love dumbasses like this who don't recognize the difference between the 1st Amendment and private property.

[NorCoGOP]

But Comcast's legal department notified the group Tuesday morning that the ads would not air, saying they were "unsubstantiated," according to the Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of the 2,000-member peace group, which is based in Princeton..."This is an outrageous infringement on our First Amendment rights, in the center of our democracy, Washington, D.C.," Moore said.

Nope...it's in the same vein as yelling "fire" in a movie theatre...

[Jay D. Dyson]

Damn straight! It's great to see that Comcast has some backbone. :)

As for the Left calling it an abridgment of their "Free Speech," need I remind them that they wanted to *PAY* Comcast to run their anti-American hate speech? Comcast chose not to take their blood money.

Comcast folks: you did the right thing! Keep it up!

-Jay

[narby]

"This is an outrageous infringement on our First Amendment rights, in the center of our democracy, Washington, D.C.,"

You guys don't have a right to demand the use of someone elses air time. If you want to get out your message, then buy a cable company.

[Diddle E. Squat]

And how many of those whining about this were all in favor of CFR, which would not even give a company a choice in the matter, completely banning this type of ad 60 days before an election?

[BearCub]

"This is an outrageous infringement on our First Amendment rights, in the center of our democracy, Washington, D.C.," Moore said.

No Mr. Moore(on), it's not. You have no first amendment right to broadcast anything at all on CNN. If you'd like to enjoy your 1st Amendment rights, then go yell from a soapbox outside the capitol.

If anything, this is about Comcast's first amendment right to not associate with losers like you.

[BullDog108]

Can you share Comcast's email address with us? I would also like to send them a ThankYou note.

[Green Knight]

How is NOT wanting to air their drivel an infringement of the First Amendment? Nobody's stopping them from saying what they like. They're just not airing their crap. Nowhere in the Bill of Rights does it say that the Press HAS to publish whatever it is that you want to say. And nowhere does it say that people running a business can't refuse business from people, which is what they're doing. They OWN those airwaves. They can put whatever they want on air. And if they don't want to put that ad on the air, then that's their choice.

[amused]

"This is an outrageous infringement on our First Amendment rights, in the center of our democracy, Washington, D.C.," Moore said.

"This is an outrageous display of ignorance of the 1st Amendment by a member of clergy, in the center of our Constitutional Republic....."

[NC Conservative]

"This is an outrageous infringement on our First Amendment rights,

Don't they have a right not to show it. It is their company. Get a refund and shut up.

[My2Cents]

Since when have any of the networks aired ads during the state of the union? Maybe some thought they needed to do so during Clinton's addresses, or at least pause for station identification on the hour, during his addresses.

[Eva]

Cavuto reported that FOX is not airing them either, unless local FOX stations take the iniative to run them themselves. He said that FOX has no control over local affiliates.

Cnn won't air the commercials either.

[Southack]

"...said Moore, a United Church of Christ minister."

Since when did the Church of Christ start attacking pro-life Republicans?

[soozla]

GOOD FOR COMCAST!!!!

....and I hope it holds up in court.......it's "freedom of speech" not freedom to slander & LIEbel!

I've had my fill of the mis-guided and mis-informed...thank goodness COMCAST has the cahones to stand up to them........let's fight fire with fire!!

[tet68]

But Comcast's legal department notified the group Tuesday morning that the ads would not air, saying they were "unsubstantiated,"

Hmmmmmm, testimonials.......run them on the infomercial channel, between the prostate enhancer and the thigh master.