How do you spell hypocrisy? F-O-X (alternate spelling: C-B-S).
This is a real head-scratcher. The same TV networks that have no problem running shows chock full of gratuitous sex and violence draw the line at running condom ads. What’s up with that?
Here’s a recent message from Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (Planned Parenthood Health Systems of SC is a Network member group):
Here’s a pretty telling story from the world of media. There is a new condom commercial on the airwaves that starts with a bunch of women in a bar surrounded by some men who happen to look like pigs. One of these men then shuffles to the men’s room, grabs a condom from a vending machine, and all of a sudden is turned into a regular guy. But the message at the end is what I like: “Use a condom every time.”
As the nation’s leading reproductive health care advocate and provider, we’re happy to see advertisements that promote protection, but the catch, of course, is that two networks – FOX and CBS – rejected the ad. FOX explained its rejection of the ad by saying, “Contraceptive advertising must stress health-related uses rather than the prevention of pregnancy.”
Pretty shocking stuff, considering that we all know condoms do both – and since when is pregnancy not health-related? And in the double standard department, network programs (and Viagra commercials) are full of sexualized content, so why should an ad about protecting yourself from pregnancy and STIs be any different? Join more than 25,000 Planned Parenthood supporters who have made their voices heard by telling CBS and FOX to stop the hypocrisy and air ads that promote public health!
Since I first told you the outrageous news about FOX and CBS,
the response has been overwhelming. Together we have sent more
than 70,000 letters to the network heads at FOX and CBS urging
them to change their policies.
But FOX and CBS haven’t changed – yet. And we
are not giving up till they change their policies and agree to
air ads that promote pregnancy prevention AND disease
prevention. And I need your help to get us there.
Tell us what we should next do to convince FOX and CBS to put
public health first:
– Should we raise money to create and air our own condom ads?
– Should we hand out condoms outside the two networks?
headquarters?
– Should we hold letter writing or phone calling parties until
CBS and FOX are tired of hearing from us?
What do YOU think will be the most effective way to get the
message through to FOX and CBS?
(http://www.ppaction.org/ct/5da9F7K1eEnK/)
Preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted
infections are top public health priorities. Television networks
that pride themselves on public service should take every
opportunity to educate the public about safer sex. By airing
sex-saturated programs like Temptation Island and The O.C. but
rejecting condom ads that focus on pregnancy prevention, FOX and
CBS are making the wrong move for public health.
Let’s get FOX and CBS to pay attention!
(http://www.ppaction.org/ct/5da9F7K1eEnK/)
Emily Lockwood
Online Strategies Manager
Planned Parenthood Federation of America