Kansas City TV station KSHB is in the midst of a major controversy after the NBC affiliate ran a controversial ad Super Bowl Sunday from presidential hopeful Randall Terry that showed graphic images of aborted fetuses.
According to TV Spy, while at least two NBC affiliates (KSHB and KFOR in Oklahoma City) aired the controversial ad despite dozens of stations across the country refusing to run it.
NBC-affiliates in Missouri–including KYTV in Springfield and KOMU in Columbia–denied his attempts to purchase time during Sunday’s Super Bowl.
The FCC had ruled that stations did not have to run the ad.
TV Spy reported a number of stations, most notably WMAQ in Chicago, declined to run the ad because they did not consider Terry to be a serious candidate (Terry is a lifelong conservative who is now running for president as a Democrat).
“Political discourse is crucial in an open and democratic society,” KSHB general manager Mike Vrabac said in a statement, explaining the station’s decision to air the commercial during its 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts.
“While some individuals may not agree with his position, under FCC regulations, Mr. Terry has the legal right to run the ad in our state,” Vrabac added. “The station cannot legally deny access or edit the spot in any way.”
According to the FCC, though, KSHB probably did have the right to deny the ad. (Link to video ad)
KSHB RUNS CONTROVERSIAL AD
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I didn’t see the ad on Ch. 41, but I commend the station for running it. I am glad that Ch. 41 is committed to freedom of speech and access for all points of view. I’m going to switch to watching Ch. 41 for news.
Running the ad was the right decision.
I find it funny that you will run adds of dead babeies but won’t run condom commercials..To me all your station is saying is that you support taking away peoples right to make medical decisions and that our government should have that right. I WILL NOT be giving you any support or watching your station. Only in this part of the country could this go on.
…NONE…of the stations, run condom commercials.
You’re saying that like ONLY KSHB doesn’t air condom commercials. I don’t know ONE station in the country that airs condom commercials!
Paul R-you are absolutely correct. Condom ads will never air on the teevee. Can’t have men being responsible for their sexual activity. And you are also correct that this is all about denying women the right to make personal, private medical decisions, with their physician and family members.
The ad should not have been aired during the Superbowl, when children are most likely watching. This is an adult discussion and the psychopathic Randall Terry knows that the entire charade of running this ad as some sort of “Democratic??” political commercial is BEYOND UNETHICAL. I suppose that has not occurred to the other commenters. I’m quite certain that Kansas City TV station KSHB already knows that fact.
Randall Terry is an extremist, virulently anti-choice hatemonger who is partly responsible for the murder of Dr. Tiller. That he and his disgusting organization have the right to partake of so called “political discourse,” is beyond laughable. The images of the late term aborted fetus were edited-and used for the ultimate fear-mongering affect. Late term abortions account for an extremely small amount of all abortions-usually when the health of the fetus or the life of the mother is at stake. The majority of teevee affiliates refused to air this ad. What’s next-airing an ad of an already born individual being murdered?
Kansass is beyond help.