We all saw the numerous funny commercials during the Superbowl, but there is one commercial that NBC rejected.
Imagine spot
The video begins with showing a fetus at conception and explains how that baby would be abandoned by his father and taken care of his mother. The ad ends with "That Baby would be the first African American President" and a picture of President Obama is shown.
Why would NBC reject a commercial like this? Is this another example of the biased media? Are they too afraid the advertisement goes against President Obama's beliefs about abortion?
It almost seems to me that censorship is widespread in the media, and is emerging even more through advertisements. Where should the line be drawn in the censoring of advertisements? What is too much truth? How does the media decide what advertisementsand shows are worthy of censorship?
If the media is worried about offending individuals, then my personal opinion is that many advertisements offend Americans today. The media is full of offensive material. Who cares if you get your feelings hurt?
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Interesting questions. The media constantly attract attention for being too liberal in voting, social positions, and a general anti-religious sentiment. Demographic analyses of reporters tend to confirm that they are left of the majority of Americans. At the same time, one has to wonder what role business decisions played in rejecting this ad. Most advertisements are completely innocuous, offending few if anyone. Can you imagine how other advertisers might have reacted knowing that an ad about a polarizing subject like abortion appeared next to an ad for car tires or Doritos or Miller beer? I am not trying to suggest that only business determined the decision about this ad, but it may have played a role. Has anyone seen any interviews with TV people about this decision?
ReplyDeleteInteresting that NBC banned this commercial. It is, after all, a true story. I find the advertisement in and of itself a little risky, probably because the topic of abortion is so controversial, and it fuels arguments, debates, and even fights. Like you said, I sometimes think the media is afraid of offending people, hence the wild outbreak and insistance of political correctness, but I don't understand how this could be offensive. It doesn't seem to be advocating pro-life or pro-choice. It's simply a biographical story, is it not?
ReplyDeleteNot that I agree in censorship, but I can see why they did not show this commercial during the Super Bowl. Like it was stated above, abortion is a very controversial topic and serious topic. Many people do not like it thrown in their face, let alone during the middle of the biggest game of the year. The commercials that they often show during the game are not, in my opinion, meant to make you think. They are purely there for entertainment. There is always a time and place for things, and the Super Bowl was just not it for this commercial.
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