February 3, 2004 Letter to CBS President Leslie Moonves
PO Box 8208
Alexandria, VA 22306-8208
February 3, 2004
Ms. Leslie Moonves
President
Columbia Broadcasting Service
7800 Beverly Boulevard, Suite 343
Los Angeles, CA 90036
As a viewer of the CBS network, I wish to express my concern that you have refused certain ads from non-profit groups as controversial while allowing the government to place ads on issues that are no less controversial. Because CBS plays a national role as a broadcaster, I urge you to support the open dialogue of diverse ideas.
I strongly believe that broadcasters should support the open, diverse and free dialogue of ideas. The issue is not whether CBS agrees with the ad, but whether ads on important issues like these should be made available to the largest TV audience of the year.
I also believe that media consolidation places greater responsibility on corporations. As control of the nation’s airwaves is vested in a smaller number of companies, broadcasters should strive to allow for as broad a debate as possible to be presented.
Political pressure should not be used to shape commercial free speech. While CBS certainly does have First Amendment rights to choose what to air, it should be sensitive to allegations that its decision was politically motivated in this case.
As a viewer of your network and an independent journalist, I hope you will reconsider your decision to ban some issue-oriented ads while allowing others. A free society relies on the honest debate of controversial issues.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this important issue.
Sincerely,
James Landrith