Posted on 04/01/2003 11:40:10 AM PST by rwinant
I am asking all who are concerned about media bias to boycott ABC, including its television shows, the Disney Corporation, ESPN, and any other affiliation with that network that you are aware of. Here's why.
On March 30, I was watching a television show on our local ABC affiliate out of Boston. A break came on and they had a news "teaser" about an interview with Tariq Aziz. In the teaser, it showed the logo "ABC News Exclusive" and it focused in on Aziz. He made a statement to the effect that the suicide bombings would continue. While this was not really news, as we had heard that before, what incensed and outraged me was that the AMERICAN Broadcasting Company was allowing a major leader in the government our country is at war with use the resources of the network to directly threaten our soldiers. Following is an email I sent to WCVB (the Boston ABC affiliate) and ABC World New Tonight.
***Enclosed message***
I am outraged at a report I just saw on your channel with the "ABC News Exclusive" logo. I saw one of the major leaders of the country our nation is at war with being allowed to use the resources which are paid for, in large part, by citizens of the United States to threaten the lives of our soldiers! This was done by a news reporter associated with a network known as the AMERICAN Broadcasting Corporation.
I am referring to the interview with Tariq Asiz. While I didn't see the whole interview, as the portion I saw was used as a "teaser" lead in for the late evening news, I saw enough to make me realize that the "impartiality" of the reporters is being carried too far. We are at war! Our soldiers are at risk of their lives so these "impartial" reporters can have their lives preserved! The very fact that Tariq Asiz was allowed to use ABC News to directly threaten the lives of our soldiers puts a lie to that "impartiality."
As of tonight (March 31, 2003) I will no longer knowingly use the services of any organization affiliated with ABC, including Disney, ESPN, or WCVB. In addition, I will encourage everyone I know to do the same. I believe that everyone has the right to their opinion, but I also believe there comes a time where their opinion borders on treason when it comes to protecting the lives of the brave men and women of the United States military.
***Enclosed message***
Interestingly, this occurred at approximately the same time the firestorm about Peter Arnett was heating up. While I deplore what he did and consider it an act close to treason, I believe the actions of ABC news are more heinous. I believe Peter Arnett acted on his own volition without the blessing of the network, while ABC News deliberately allowed Aziz to use their resources to propagandize and threaten our soldiers. This is absolutely outrageous and is why I ask the help of all like minded people to join me in the boycott.
Instead of boycott threads, we should just have a thread that lists things that we are "allowed" to purchase or use. It would be much shorter.
Less Americans Get Accurate News From ABC News than From any Other Source.
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