Unlike Oliver, I don’t think that CBS refusing to air the MoveOn.Org commercial during the SuperBowl is a sign of the decline of Democracy. Here are CBS’s reasons:
A CBS spokesman said the decision against broadcasting the spot had nothing to do with either the Super Bowl or the ad’s specific issue but was because the network has had a long-term policy not to air issue ads anywhere on the network.
If that is their policy, fine. What I do not understand, and where I agree with Oliver wholeheartedly, is how the government is able to air their hideous anti-drug agit-prop (like they did last year). How is that any different from what MoveOn.Org wants to air (and having some media experience I know what a Public Service Announcement is- it is a government sponsored issue ad).
*** Update ***
As was pointed out by Dimmy in the comments, last year the drug ads were on ABC, and not CBS.