The constitutional right to advertise

Adbusters is suing the major Canadian television networks for infringing their freedom of speech, because CBC, CTV and Global won't run their anti-capitalist advertisements. (No word on whether any of the ads refer to the Jewish neoconservative cabal Kalle Lasn warned us about a few months ago.)

Adbusters, the Vancouver-based alternative media organization, is suing Canada's major television networks for refusing to broadcast advertisements that criticize consumerism.

It has hired prominent civil-rights lawyer Clayton Ruby to act as counsel in this case, which it describes as the opening salvo in a war for greater media democracy.

"For the last 10 years I've been trying to buy air time and by and large I've been unable to do that," said Kalle Lasn, editor-in-chief of Adbusters magazine.

"I think it's a violation of my right to freedom of speech."

The lawsuit, which was filed in Ontario Superior Court, names the CBC, CanWest Global, Bell Globemedia and CHUM Ltd. as respondents.

It also names the Government of Canada in its role as regulator of the airwaves.

Adbusters is seeking a declaration from the courts under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that the broadcasters have infringed on its right to freedom of expression.

So, if this lawsuit is successful, will that mean Nike, McDonald's and Lockheed Martin have a constitutional right to buy ad space in Adbusters?

Posted by damian at September 15, 2004 12:04 PM