More Christo-Fascist Propoganda

James Dobson's "Supernanny" Ad, a history in Letters

To: Deanna Banas Kluk, Director of Programming, WTNH-TV New Haven, CT

Deanna:
The following letter has been forwarded to the Federal
Communications Commission...

Commissioner:
Last night, WTNH-TV Channel 8 in New Haven, CT broadcast the ABC Show,
"Supernanny", a broadcast which contained a paid advertisement from the
group "Focus on the Family", promoting, among other things, a book by Dr.
James Dobson entitled "Dare to Discipline".

I find it both patently offensive and tragically ironic that WTNH, as an
ABC affiliate, can along with its network in blocking an ad from the
United Church of Christ last promoting universal tolerance, and a few
months later, refuse to block an ad from "Focus on the Family" promoting
child abuse. The book, Dare to Discipline contains instructions for the
corporal punishment of children, such as...

"Minor pain can provide excellent motivation for the child. There is a
muscle, lying snugly against the base of the neck. When firmly squeezed,
it sends little messengers to the brain saying, 'This hurts; avoid
recurrence at all costs."

Here, Dobson is advocating piching off the arteries providing blood to the
child's brain, causing pain, as well possible fainting and brain damage.

I contend that allowing the public airwaves to be used to sell torture
manuals of this nature to parents for use against children constitues
indecency, and a gross violation of the public interest and necessity. I
recommend that WTNH, "Focus on the Family",and the Walt Disney Corporation
be fined for this violation.

Mike Reynolds


RESPONSE:
"Deanna Banas" wrote:

Dear Mike,

This is Deanna from WTNH. I returned your phone call today. Thank you for
taking the time to e-mail us. Because WTNH is an affiliate of ABC, we have
little to no control over what ABC airs. In many cases, the viewers have
more influence on the network than the affiliate. I encourage you to e-mail
your comments regarding SUPERNANNY to ABC directly at netaudr@abc.com. I
have sent this e-mail to our public file and to our representative at the
ABC Network.

Also, WTNH has no record of blocking any United Church of Christ
commercials. ABC might have but not WTNH.

Sincerely,
Deanna Banas Kluk
Program Manager


MY RESPONSE TO HER...

Hi, Deanna:

Thanks for responding to my concerns so quickly. I have to disagree with your point somewhat, though. There have been recent occurrances where affiliates have voluntarily pre-empted network programing on grounds of ethics, providing a better service to their viewers, or of bowing to political and economic pressure. The examples that come most recently to mind concern the ABC Affiliates belonging to Sinclair Broadcasting pre-empting "Nightline" last July, (happily, not WTNH), 6 ABC Affiliates refusing to Run "Saving Private Ryan" last Veterans Day, (again happily not WTNH), and the refusal of the UCC spot I mentioned in my original letter.

My point is that it is, (though a bold and possibly costly move), POSSIBLE to make a stand for broadcasting in the greater public interest by resisting the urge to run unbalanced political and religious, (and as I've cited, possibly dangerous), christo-fascist propoganda such as Dobson's. ABC affiliates have made similar moves recently to benefit right-wing interests and have an ethical, (though sadly no longer regulatory), responsibility to do so for the other, far larger part of your viewing audience.

Thanks again,
Mike


Keep those cards & letters going out, Folx!