Topline
Streaming service Hulu has come under fire from Democratic campaigns and fundraising groups for rejecting political ads that deal with controversial issues such as abortion and the January 6 attack – marking the second controversy in recent months that parent company Disney has faced because of hot gambling. political topics button.
Craig Erwich, SVP and Head of Content at Hulu, speaks on stage at the Hulu 2015 Summer TCA … [+] Presentation on August 9, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. This may interest you : Google Offers to Separate Ad-Tech Business To Prevent Antitrust Suit.
Key Facts
Democratic fundraising groups criticized Hulu for refusing to air ads that focused on gun control and abortion, saying in a statement that the company’s censorship of the ads is “outrageous, offensive, and another step down a dangerous path for our country. Read also : Roe v. Wade decision sparks interest in state politics, hints at things to come – WSU Insider.”
The Democratic Senior Citizens Campaign Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic Governors Association sent two ads to Hulu on July 15, but the streaming service has not yet aired the ads and declined to offer more information, according to a national Democratic party official. , saying. only the question was “relevant.”
The ads were submitted to Disney-owned ESPN and Philadelphia affiliate ABC, as well as Facebook, YouTube, Roku and NBC/Universal, and aired on all platforms and networks except Hulu, according to the Democratic official.
New York congressional candidate Suraj Patel previously wrote to Disney and Hulu complaining about its advertising policy after the platform rejected his campaign ad that used the phrase “from abortion rights and gun laws to climate change” and showed footage of the January 6 uprising, Jezebel first reported.
Patel was required to change “climate change” to “democracy” — he argued for abortion and keep gun laws — and change the footage on Jan. 6 before the ad was approved and eventually aired, reports Bloomberg, after after the streaker asked him not to discuss it. “sensitive” topics.
Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-Ga.) had an abortion-related ad that Hulu censored in May, which she criticized as “dangerous and offensive.”
Chief Critic
Hulu and Disney have not yet responded to requests for comment. Hulu’s advertising guidelines state that the platform “reserves the right to display, approve, refuse and decline any advertising on a case-by-case basis.” Political ads are among the ads on Hulu that are reviewed individually, and the company takes into account “various factors, including, without limitation, advertising content and targeting restrictions,” the guidelines say.
Crucial Quote
“Voters have a right to know the facts about the MAGA Republican agenda on issues like abortion – and Hulu is doing the American people a huge disservice by preventing voters from learning the truth about the GOP record or even deny these issues from being discussed,” said Christie Roberts, Tim Persico and Noam Lee, executive directors of the DSCC, DCCC and DGA, respectively, in a statement. This may interest you : The FDA is warning companies across the U.S. about import violations.
Surprising Fact
Broadcast television networks are required by the Communications Act of 1934 to broadcast political ads from both parties and cannot legally censor them. “Television stations shall have no power of censorship over the content broadcast” by any candidate qualified in the law, the law states. Digital platforms like Hulu are not bound by those restrictions, however, which explains why Disney could block the ads from airing on Hulu but still air them on ESPN.
Tangent
Disney is rolling out an ad-supported version of its Disney+ streaming service later this year that will ban political ads entirely, according to several outlets.
Key Background
Disney’s handling of controversial political issues has already landed the company in hot water this year, as the media giant faced criticism from both sides of Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law that limit the discussion of sexual orientation and gender. recognition in schools. Disney was initially widely criticized from the left – including by its own employees – for refusing to take a political stance on the bill as it wound its way through the legislature, as Disney CEO Bob Chapek was said to prefer to keep the company away from pressing political issues. . The company eventually caved in and came out publicly against the policy in March, saying in a statement after the law was enacted that its “goal as a company” is to help get the law removed. That drew ire from the right, which led to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and the state legislature punished Disney by dissolving the special district that controls Walt Disney World. Regarding abortion, Disney has said it will help cover abortion-related costs for employees if they have to travel out of state for the procedure, but—like most major companies—has not accepted the company public position on the issue or the Supreme. Court reversing Roe v. Wade.
Further Reading
Dems fire at Disney’s Hulu for blocking ads on abortion, guns, January 6 (Washington Post)
Democratic Candidate Claims Hulu Cuts ‘Sensitive’ Issues Like Abortion and Guns from Campaign Ad (Jezebel)
Hulu Rejects Campaign Ads as Politics Pits Streaming TV (Bloomberg)
