RALEIGH—In the last week, several North Carolina television stations have refused to run the “Extreme” ad, including WRAL, WSOC, and WBT. 

“I think it’s offensive, and I’m not real comfortable with the implications around race,” said Joe Pomilla, general manager for WSOC-TV in Charlotte. “I just don’t think it’s appropriate to be on our air.”  (“Wright ad will run, repeats N.C. GOP” The Charlotte Observer, April 24, 2008 http://www.charlotte.com/109/story/594910.html)

 "In reviewing this spot we determined it was inflammatory," said Jim Hefner, WRAL vice president and general manager.  (“North Carolina GOP leadership divided over ad” The Fayetteville Observer, April 24, 2008   http://www.fayobserver.com/ article_ap?id=121693)

Because the ad is being purchased by a political party and not a candidate, these stations are under no legal obligation to run the ad.

On Sunday, Barack Obama appeared on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace.  In that interview, he said:

“Question: Do you think that Reverend Wright is just the victim here?

OBAMA: No. I think that people were legitimately offended by some of the comments that he had made in the past.

The fact that he is my former pastor I think makes it a legitimate political issue. So I understand that.”  (“Obama on ‘Fox News Sunday’” RealClearPolitics.com, April 27, 2008 http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/04/ obama_on_fox_news_sunday.html)

Chairman Linda Daves, North Carolina Republican Party, made the following statement:

“The comments made by Mr. Pomilla and Mr. Hefner are completely misinformed and off-base.  Our ad is not inflammatory nor does it involve any implications about race.  It is an ad about judgment that asks a question even Barack Obama has called a ‘legitimate political issue.’  Not one of the stations that have declined to run our ad citing its supposedly ‘inflammatory’ content have offered one shred of evidence or explanation about how it involves race.  I have repeatedly reiterated my position that this ad has absolutely nothing to do with race.  I challenge the station managers at these stations to release their full reasoning for declining to run the ad, including any evidence that they may muster to justify their claims that this ad is about race.  I challenge them to answer questions about what factors were involved in their determination and I challenge them to explain to me if an ad featuring Hillary Clinton and offensive comments by one of her associates would also be declined.

Though they are under no legal obligation to do so, it is in keeping with fairness and the principles of free speech that these stations give some manner of legitimate reasoning for their decisions in this matter.  Political speech should not be silenced without any basis or justifiable complaint.  No matter one’s position on this ad, the media should be the most protective of basic rights to free speech guaranteed both by the letter and the spirit of the Constitution.  Unfortunately, far too often, conservative political speech is discriminated against and silenced by liberal media outlets without any outcry or indignation.  I promise you that will not be the case here.”

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