Networks refuse election ad

Australia's commercial television networks are refusing to run an advertisement that accuses Rupert Murdoch of printing "misleading crap" in his newspapers ahead of national elections, the activist group behind the ad said on Wednesday.

The Australian-born Murdoch, now a US citizen, owns large-circulation newspapers in his former homeland. His Sydney tabloid, The Daily Telegraph, has called for voters to "kick out" Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's Labor government in Saturday's polls. "It was great when you could pick up the paper and get ... well ... news," says the man in the ad by activist group GetUp as he stands on his front lawn to collect his newspaper, later using it to scoop up his dog's droppings.

"Don't let the crap decide your vote. Stand up for what you want. Tell Rupert, 'We'll choose our own government.'"

The GetUp is complaining to the competition watchdog after three major commercial networks refused to air the video, which has been viewed more than 340,000 times on YouTube.

AFP

(China Daily 09/05/2013 page11)