Tell CBS Chief Executive Les Moonves: Take a Stand Against Hatred
In a moment of shameful honesty, CBS Chief Executive Les Moonves said that the Donald Trump circus "may not be good for America but it’s damn good for CBS."
"Bring it on, Donald. Keep going," Moonves added, happy to profit from the high ratings and negative advertising that are spurred on by Trump’s racist and xenophobic remarks.
Donald Trump threatens our democracy — and the media play a critical role in fanning the hatred that fuels his campaign.
Trump is getting away with attacking journalists, harassing protesters and stoking racism across America. A Secret Service agent assigned to the Trump campaign viciously assaulted a TIME photojournalist. During recent rallies Trump said he wanted to punch a protester in the face and urged his followers to rough up others who spoke out against him.
The campaign has profiled and ejected people from Trump rallies because of their race or religious dress. Is it any surprise that many of the nation’s most dangerous hate groups are endorsing Trump?
All good fun, according to Moonves — a response that shows what happens when mainstream media outlets put profits before accountability and journalistic integrity.
The media are supposed to engage and inform their audiences — especially during an election year. And their news divisions need to speak truth to power and defend the powerless from bullies.
CBS has a responsibility to help, not hurt America. It isn't OK for corporations like CBS to profit off hate.
Tell Chief Executive Les Moonves to put good journalism before his bottom line.
1. “CBS Chief Les Moonves Says Trump’s ‘Damn Good’ for Business,” March 1, 2016: http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/les-moonves-donald-trump_us_56d52ce8e4b03260bf780275/amp#fpstate=amp_viewer
Original image by Flickr user tua ulamac