Israel Matzav

US networks reject Ground Zero mosque ad

Many of my non-US readers may not even be aware that an effort is afoot to build a 13-story mosque on 'Ground Zero,' the site of the former World Trade Center.

Here's a television ad in opposition to the mosque. Let's go to the videotape and then I'll have more.



Two of the major US television networks - NBC and CBS - are refusing to run the ad.

In her letter rejecting the spot, NBC Universal advertising standards manager Jennifer Riley wrote:

"An ad questioning the wisdom of building a mosque at ground zero would meet our issues of public controversy advertising criteria. However, this ad which ambiguously defines 'they' as referenced in the spot makes it unclear as to whether the reference is to terrorists or to the Islamic religious organization that is sponsoring the building of the mosque. Consequently, the ad is not acceptable under our guidelines for broadcast."

A CBS official, Marty Daly, also rejected the ad, according to e-mails shared by NRT PAC executive director Scott Wheeler.

"They have very selective standards — they’ll run anything MoveOn.org throws out there," said Wheeler, also citing a controversial 2004 NAACP ad invoking the slain James Byrd.

The word "they," he said, "is a reference to the people who are putting up the money with the intent of provoking us."

Sorry, but that's ridiculous. Unless there's actionable libel involved (which this wasn't) or incitement to criminal activity (none of that either) there is no reason for a major network to refuse a political ad. This strikes me as yet another instance of pre-emptive political correctness.

On Wednesday, Pam Geller of Atlas Shrugs appeared on CNN to debate the mosque with Ibrahim Ramey of the Muslim Society of America.

Let's go to the videotape.



Ramey's attempt to make the 9/11 attacks something other than Islamic is totally disingenuous.

There is no way that a mosque belongs at Ground Zero. Why should Ground Zero be turned into an Islamic Holy Site as happened in Nazareth and as nearly happened in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity?

The amount of political correctness in America today is appalling. I read Pam's blog fairly regularly and I am amazed at how difficult she's finding it to get the message out regarding militant Islam. I'm not suggesting that people don't have a right to disagree with her - I'm suggesting that it's amazing how many entities are not willing to run her ads.

Wake up America, before it's too late. Your mainstream media is clearly on the wrong side. I don't care how 'divisive' the fight is - if militant Islam is not fought, you will end up like Europe.

P.S. Extreme Leftist Eric Bohlert's Media Matters site used the occasion to argue against allowing Pam to appear on American television (Hat Tip: Memeorandum). I wonder if there are any spokespeople for the Right that Media Matters would find acceptable. I suspect not.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:51 PM