In this story from Canada - Adbusters (see story) have been refused the sale of airtime by the various networks including CBC - the one owned by the Canadian people via the Government. Seems like the networks are protecting their advertising customers and corporate breathern and hiding from the truth....
- Ads activist goes to court
Sues networks for refusing air time
Lawyer cites freedom of speech
RICK WESTHEAD
BUSINESS REPORTER
A Vancouver social activist group is suing Canada's four largest TV broadcasters for rejecting ads that address obesity, environmental destruction and other social issues.
Adbusters Media Foundation has asked an Ontario court to demand that BCE Inc., CanWest Global Communications Corp., CHUM Ltd. and the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. be required to "air Adbusters' advertisements in the same manner as it does other paid advertisements."
Last fall, when Adbusters tried to buy ads on the networks, three of the broadcasters rejected the prospective ads outright. Only one advertiser that wasn't identified in the court filing accepted the ads, but "with severe restrictions" about when the ads could be aired.
Clayton Ruby, a Toronto lawyer who represents Adbusters, said it could be six months or more before the case goes to trial.
"They (the broadcasters) are going to fight like mad and let's face it, they're rich," Ruby said in an interview. Ruby said that the case amounts to a freedom of speech debate.
"The government is taking public property in the airways, licensing them to a small number of people, and is looking the other way as those people advance their own commercial interests and won't allow room for questioning."
Adbusters' claims haven't been proved in court. None of the four broadcasters have filed a statement of defence.
CTV on April 12 told Adbusters that it would sell ad time for three selected commercials, said a network spokesperson. It's unclear whether Adbusters responded to the network.
"We reserve the right to determine commercial acceptance and the right to reject commercials that CTV deems may have any kind of negative impact on its business," a CTV spokesperson said.
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