No Ad for You

This page was last updated on October 23, 2004.

To increase awareness of TheBirdsEyeView.us, I decided to purchase advertising on the Beaver County Times web site.

I executed an advertising agreement for three months with Times iMedia on September 30, 2004, and was told they would probably have an ad for my review the next day, but no later than October 4^th. Cutting to the chase, after nearly three weeks of delays and unreturned phone calls, I received the following email notes.

In summary, the Times exercised its First Amendment right not to carry my advertisement. The reason cited was “the paper can be held libel [sic] for any defamation of character.” I’m no lawyer, but I guess this means the Times believes it can be held responsible for anything done by its advertisers. Who knew? Wait a second, though. The Times carries ads all the time. Hmm.

Do you believe the reason cited by Mr. Rabick? I report; you decide.

From: Joe Rabick [mailto:jrabick@timesnet.net]
Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 11:05 AM
To: 'Robin Cox'
Subject: RE: Online advertising

Hello Mr. Cox,

I truly apologize for the delay. As of Friday, I still do not have a decision from my manager, Patrick Bingle regarding the status of your advertisement. He placed a phone call to our legal department again on Friday asking for a decision.

Once again, I do apologize for this delay. I have never had an issue like this arise about placing an advertisement online. I do appreciate your patience during this period. I will contact you as soon as I get an answer.

Thank you,

Joe Rabick

Beaver County Times

Interactive Media Sales

Phone: 724-775-3200 ext. 291

Fax: 724-775-7212

Email: jrabick@timesonline.com

followed that afternoon by:

From: Rabick Joe [mailto:JRabick@timesonline.com]
Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 4:57 PM
To: Robin Cox
Subject: beaver county times

Hello Mr. Cox,

I finally got an answer regarding your advertisement.

According to legal counsel, the paper can be held libel for any defamation of character by running the advertisement on the paper’s web site.

Because of that feedback, I am unable to run your advertisement. I truly apologize for the inconvenience to you from this delay.