Cheers to NBC for resuming liquor ads

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NBC plans to break a network television ban on running hard
liquor commercials this weekend by airing an ad from Guinness
UDV’s Smirnoff vodka during an episode of “Saturday
Night Live.” We’ll drink to NBC for standing up to the
unpopular idea of running these commercials in the face of other
television networks’ censorship.

TV networks have an immense influence over their viewing
audiences, shaping public opinion and defining the boundaries of
American values. As the dominant media source in the country, they
have an obligation to ensure fairness in advertising and freedom of
speech. Alcohol and tobacco companies are legal businesses in the
United States, and as such, they’re entitled to the same
treatment by the media as other corporations. Beer makers, for
example, have been advertising on major TV networks for years
without significant public backlash.

It’s understandable that some may express reservations
about having tobacco and alcohol advertised on TV, but NBC is doing
this in a public-friendly manner. The ads are designed for programs
airing after 9 p.m., and can extend to other shows that have an
audience demographic of 85 percent aged 21 and older. The hard
liquor companies must also run advertisements warning of
alcohol’s side-effects and dangers as a part of their
contract. Also, ads making an effort to target younger,
impressionable viewers will not be run by the network.

All other TV networks must follow suit with NBC and stop playing
babysitter and censor with adult viewers.