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KPCC Temproarily Lifts Planned Parenthood Commercials
Photo by Michael Yanow via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
As the government faced a shutdown yesterday, local news station KPCC quietly decided to temporarily suspend the spots that it runs for Planned Parenthood, whose services were being used as a wedge issue in the fight over spending in Congress.
LA Observed ran the dictum that came down from "programming honcho Craig Curtis":
It's unclear whether the ads will begin running again now that a temporary agreement has been reached by lawmakers. Curtis noted in his email that the spots would begin to run again on Monday.
LA Observed ran the dictum that came down from "programming honcho Craig Curtis":
Given that the budget debate in congress is focusing today on abortion in general and Planned Parenthood by extension, let us suspend airing any Planned Parenthood spots effective immediately. There is nothing wrong with the spots per se, or with our business relationship with Planned Parenthood, but for a few days their presence on our air might raise questions in the mind of the “reasonable listener” regarding our editorial and sales practices.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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