[Text only of letters sent from the Commerce Committee Democrats]
Mr. David C. Kohler
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Cable News Network
One CNN Center
Atlanta, GA 30348
VIA FACSIMILE
Dear Mr. Kohler:
I am writing with respect to the Cable News Network's October 2 decision to suspend certain advertisements on the issue of global climate change.
In your letter discussing your decision, you state that in connection with a review of the advertising in question, "it became apparent that the subject of global warming and the upcoming U.S. conference in Kyoto, Japan has become the subject of intensified news coverage by CNN. Therefore, CNN has decided not to accept any further advertising on either side of this subject until the news story has run its course."
This logic is problematic. The policy it represents raises more questions than it answers.
First, does this constitute a change in policy on the part of CNN, given that your network broadcast widely the so-called "Harry and Louise" advertisements opposing President Clinton's health care plan when that plan was very much in the news? Is it now CNN's policy to air issue ads only when they concern a subject that is not in the news and not of interest to the public?
Second, Presidential, Senatorial, Gubernatorial, or Congressional election campaigns are quite often the subject of intense and intensified news coverage by CNN, and properly so. Does CNN propose to reject advertisements by political candidates for the same reason? Does this policy govern only advertising arrangements made directly with CNN or does it cover those made by others, such as local cable systems, for the purchase of time on CNN programming?
Finally, I am in receipt of a press release from the environmental group Greenpeace stating that they will air climate change advertisements on CNN October 5 and 6. In light of your October 2 letter, will those advertisements now be rejected or suspended?
While CNN does not have the same kind of legal or regulatory obligations assumed by broadcast networks, these issues go to the question of the fundamental responsibilities to the public of all media. As you probably know, they have been the subject of intense debate within the House Committee on Commerce, on which I now serve as the Ranking Minority Member. For that reason, I would appreciate a response to these questions at the earliest possible time.
Sincerely,
JOHN D. DINGELL
RANKING MEMBER
cc: Timothy A. Boggs, Senior Vice President, Public Policy
Time Warner Incorporated
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