Staples pulls ads from Sinclair News; caving to liberal pressure?
Update (1/6/05): According to a news release on Staples' website, the company is continuing to places ads with Sinclair. Excerpt: Our media buying process with Sinclair Broadcast Group stations has recently been misrepresented by an organization with no affiliation to Staples. ... Staples does not support any political party. We advertise with a variety of media outlets, but do not necessarily share the same views of these organizations or what they report. As we have done for a number of years, Staples will continue to advertise on Sinclair Broadcast Group stations.
The Washington Post is reporting that office supply retailer Staples Inc. is pulling its advertising from Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc., citing an email campaign alleging that Sinclair exhibits "right wing bias" in its reporting.
As you may recall, just prior to last November's election Sinclair aired parts of the controversial film "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal," which was critical of John Kerry and his war record. Sinclair has since been targeted by Media Matters for America, a liberal media group, which claims the company was abusing the public airwaves to promote a conservative agenda and not offering politically balanced news.
Amy Ridenour wants to know if Staples will pull its ads from CBS as well, given the networks obvious anti-administration bias.
Until they get a satisfactory explanation from Staples, the National Center for Public Policy Research is ending purchases from Staples.
I suppose that what's good for the goose is good for the gander, but I wonder what all of this boycotting will accomplish. We all -- individuals and corporations alike -- have the right to "vote" with our dollars, but the tricky part is finding a pristine alternative who is properly aligned with everything that we consider to be right [ahem]. It can lead to some hypocritical outcomes.
This issue is more worrisome when you're dealing with freedom of the press/freedom of expression, instead of ice cream.
If taken to its (il)logical extreme, the removal of ads by everyone who finds some objectionable programming will leave the outlet with no revenue.
Perhaps the self-correction in the process is the fact that the advertiser will soon run out of advertising outlets, as well, thereby shooting itself in the foot.
Posted by: Eric at January 6, 2005 01:01 PMAbout the publisher
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Sometimes there is no pristine choice. Then it comes down to what your core issues are and basing your purchases accordingly. Picking your fights, so to speak.
If there's two companies, one being rabidly in support of pro-choice groups and the other an enthusiastic contributor to "animal rights" groups, it's going to be a question of which company I dislike less.
...or finding a morally satisfying alternative to either.
I've found that generic "store brand" ice cream tastes a lot better than premium "Ben and Jerry's" which has an intolerably liberal aftertaste.
Posted by: Mr. Freen at January 5, 2005 09:38 PM