The Attack on Dr. Laura

The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC - a voluntary self-regulating organization of private broadcasters), known for its harsh and unreasonable criticism of the pro-family organization, Focus on the Family in December 1997, for speaking the truth about homosexuality (See Reality, September/October 1998, "Freedom of Expressions Curtailed by Homosexuals," p. 7) has now investigated complaints against radio personality, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, who is heard on 30 radio stations in Canada.

Dr. Laura is an Orthodox Jew who remains faithful to the beliefs of her faith, which include support of traditional marriage over homosexual arrangements. This has infuriated homosexuals, both here and in the US. Homosexual activists in the US have laid complaints against her and have picketed Paramount Studios which is planning to widen her influence by including TV broadcasts as well.

In Canada, the Ottawa-based homosexual lobby group, EGALE plaintively requested, through its e-mail messages, that its supporters provide names of the Canadian radio stations which carry Dr. Laura's program so that it could also lay complaints against her.

EGALE apparently obtained such a list, and gleefully laid the complaints with the CBSC, which has its own code of ethics, gender portrayal and television standards by which its approximately 430 radio and television stations in Canada are expected to abide.

The CBSC released a decision on May 10th that Dr. Laura had been "abusively discriminatory of homosexuals." It stated further that homosexuality, contrary to Dr. Laura's statement, was not a "disorder," and that her statements on paedophilia and homosexuality were factually incorrect. The radio stations broadcasting her programs are supposed to "apologize" on the air or face sanctions including the removal of their licenses by CRTC.

This decision is an outrageous attack on freedom of speech which cannot be tolerated. Homosexual beliefs are no different from other beliefs in that they should not be granted special protection. All views must be aired on our public airways on this and other issues of public interest. Anything less is an infringement on the Charter rights of Canadians to their freedom of speech and opinion.

1. Please write to the CBSC and object to their offensive decision.

Canadian Broadcast Standards Council
P.O. Box 3265, Station D
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6H8
Tel: 613. 233-4607 Fax: 613. 233-4826
e-mail: info@cbsc.ca

2. Procter and Gamble has announced that it will no longer advertise on Dr. Laura's program, either radio or television. According to its web page, it is doing so in order to seek a positive, non-controversial environment in which to advertise its brands. Please write to Procter and Gamble and let them know that position is prejudicial to freedom of speech, as well as common sense. Express your support for Dr. Laura and ask them to re-consider their decision.

Procter and Gamble
Consumer Relations Office
P.O. Box 599
Cincinnati, Ohio 45201
USA

You may wish to boycott Procter and Gamble products in the future (there are many other alternatives to their products). Their products are as follows (take the list with you when you shop):

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