
 |
|
February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
|
| |
Jewish World Review
Nov. 9, 2005
/ 7 Mar-Cheshvan, 5766
Why do network TV and the federal government pick on some vices and not on others?
By
Froma Harrop
| 
|
|
|
|
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
"Good Night, and Good Luck" is a movie tribute to CBS news
legend Edward R. Murrow. It's about journalists in the 1950s who were not
afraid of smoking, drinking or Joe McCarthy. The red-baiter is no longer
with us, and other than stomping on his memory, TV is done with him.
But what about the smoking and the drinking? CBS today is more
likely to pay an hour's homage to the demented commie hunter than to air a
30-second ad for Johnnie Walker Scotch, which it is allowed to do. (The 1965
Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act still prohibits tobacco ads.)
A few questions arise. For starters, why do network TV and the
federal government pick on some vices and not on others? Gambling used to be
a vice, and in many minds still is. Yet the airwaves carry lots of ads for
state lotteries and commercial casinos. TV even offers live coverage of the
Powerball picks a state-run version of what mugs in the '50s called a
"numbers racket."
Tobacco and booze get censored because the censors have changed.
They have long been targets of the puritanical right. But starting in the
'60s, nanny-state liberals joined the fight, purportedly for public health
reasons. That means no is one left to defend the right to use or advertise
these legal products other than a ragtag gang of libertarians and First
Amendment freaks.
The activists have gone beyond opposing ads for such products.
They now protest even the portrayal of them. Commercial Alert, a group based
in Portland, Ore., has called on schools to ban advertisements of movies
that show people smoking. The ads appear on Channel One TV programs now seen
in many schools.
As a social issue, this is a big onion to peel. First off, the
showing of commercial television in classrooms probably does students more
harm than would seeing their teacher light up. But once you get past that,
you note that the ads Commercial Alert wants banned don't show smoking. They
only refer to movies that do. The damned include "Mr. Deeds," "Charlie's
Angels" and "Pearl Harbor."
Many of the movies display murder, mayhem and the horrors of
war. They include gross sexual references and disgusting manners. But the
appearance of a smoker is deemed beyond the pale. (Actually, movie critics
have complained that "Pearl Harbor" has far less smoking than would have
been expected among soldiers in 1941.) Given the smoky haze that hovers over
"Good Night, and Good Luck," Commercial Alert would give the film a far
lower classroom rating than "Sex and the City."
That's a shame, because the movie covers an important piece of
American history. That journalists back then weren't much into
self-preservation shouldn't detract from their accomplishments. And, if at
the end of the day, they calm themselves with a belt of Scotch, what's that
to anyone else?
Speaking of self-preservation, it seems odd that the networks
don't crusade for the right to run ads for legal products. The states have
the power to prohibit the sale of cigarettes - or for that matter,
alcohol. None do so, because they tax these products like crazy and want the
revenues. It seems hypocritical to deny broadcasters the revenue from their
ads.
In 1991, the Distilled Liquor Council of the United States
lifted its members' voluntary ban on TV ads. And still the big-four
television networks would not air them. Where's the courage? In December
2001, NBC ventured forth and accepted liquor ads (attached to cautionary
messages). Four months later, it backed down.
Over at satellite radio, meanwhile, executives breathe free. XM
Satellite Radio now runs ads for Jack Daniel's whiskey. Sirius Satellite
Radio will soon be airing jingles for Tanqueray gin, as well as Howard Stern
saying gross things that the Federal Communications Commission wouldn't
allow on broadcast media.
One can imagine the ghost of Edward R. Murrow, cigarette in
hand, urging the network executives to demand their First Amendment right to
free speech, which should include running advertisements for Marlboros.
Sadly, the controversial Murrow, were he alive today, would probably have
been exiled to satellite radio, along with the ads for his Scotch.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Froma Harrop is a columnist for The Providence Journal. Comment by clicking here.
ARCHIVES
© 2005 Creators Syndicate
|
|

Arnold Ahlert
Mitch Albom
Jay Ambrose
Michael Barone
Barrywood
Tony Blankley
Lori Borgman
Stratfor Briefing
Mona Charen
Linda Chavez
Richard Z. Chesnoff
Ann Coulter
Greg Crosby
Alan Douglas
Larry Elder
Suzanne Fields
Frank J. Gaffney
Bernie Goldberg
Jonah Goldberg
Julia Gorin
Jonathan Gurwitz
Paul Greenberg
Argus Hamilton
Victor Davis Hanson
Betsy Hart
Ron Hart
Nat Hentoff
Marybeth Hicks
David Horowitz
Jeff Jacoby
Renee James
Paul Johnson
Jack Kelly
Ed Koch
Ch. Krauthammer
Michael Ledeen
John Leo
David Limbaugh
Kathryn Lopez
Rich Lowry
Michelle Malkin
Jackie Mason
Ann McFeatters
Dale McFeatters
Dana Milbank
Jeanne Moos
Dick Morris
Jim Mullen
Deroy Murdock
Judge A. Napolitano
Bill O'Reilly
Kathleen Parker
Star Parker
Dennis Prager
Wesley Pruden
Tom Purcell
Sharon Randall
Robert Robb
Cokie & Steve Roberts
Heather Robinson
Pat Sajak
Debra J. Saunders
Martin Schram
Culture Shlock
David Shribman
Roger Simon
Michael Smerconish
Thomas Sowell
Ben Stein
Mark Steyn
John Stossel
Cal Thomas
Dan Thomasson
Bob Tyrrell
Ben Wattenberg
Diana West
Dave Weinbaum
George Will
Walter Williams
Byron York
ZeitGeist
Mort Zuckerman

Robert Arial
Chuck Asay
Baloo
Chip Bok
Dry Bones
Lisa Benson
John Branch
John Cole
J. D. Crowe
John Deering
Brian Duffy
Everything's Relative
Mallard Fillmore
Glenn Foden
Jake Fuller
Bob Gorrel
Joe Heller
David Hitch
Jerry Holbert
Lee Judge
Steve Kelley
Jeff Koterba
Dick Locher
Jimmy Margulies
Rick McKee
Michael Ramirez
Kevin Siers
Jeff Stahler
Ed Stein
Danna Summers
John Trever
Gary Varvel
Kirk Walters

Mr. Know-It-All
Dr. Peter Gott
GET A JOB! by Marty Nemko
Richard Lederer
Frugal Living
Tech Maven
On Nutrition
Bookmark These
Bruce Williams
|