Shamefully, NBC has categorically rejected a positive, uplifting pro-life ad which a private organization wanted to run during the Superbowl. An NBC representative said that they are not interested in “advertisements involving ‘political advocacy or issues.'” Inconsistently, however, NBC is in discussion with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA — an advocacy group for animal rights) about how their commercial might be played, if they tone down the overt sexuality.
Here’s the rejected pro-life ad:
Brian Burch, President of Fidelis, the pro-life group which sponsored this ad, observes: “There is nothing objectionable in this positive, life-affirming advertisement. We show a beautiful ultrasound, something NBC’s parent company GE has done for years. We congratulate Barack Obama on becoming the first African-American President. And we simply ask people to imagine the potential of every human life.” Burch responded to the rejection further by saying, “NBC claims it doesn’t allow advocacy ads, but that’s not true. They were willing to air an ad by PETA if they would simply tone down the sexual suggestiveness. Our ad is far less provocative, and hardly controversial by comparison.”
Send your complaints about the rejection of the ad to Victoria Morgan, Vice President, Advertising Standards, NBC Universal, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 1825 E. New York, NY 10112. Call (212) 664-4267 or fax (212) 664-6366 or email victoria.morgan@nbc.com
HT: Mike Poterma