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Reader comment on:
Ms. Magazine Decision Is Called 'Contemptible'

Submitted by Maria L., Jan 16, 2008 14:51

This is ridiculous--screening advertisements. Why do the magazine's editors fail to recognize a difference between the commercial and editorial sides of their magazine? Obviously the "role at Ms. magazine is not to promote countries," as they say, but the ROLE of the magazine is also not to sell makeup, or whatever other products are featured in their advertising. That's where the separation between ads and actual content comes into play. The New York Times carries all kinds of ads--jewelry ads, dating service ads, wedding dress ads--but the role and mission of the publication (to inform the public of the news) is separate, and still executed quite nicely. I don't see what business the magazine has in screening this ad, which is not offensive in any way. It would be different and more of a controversy if it was an ad placed by the KKK, but the ad seems well-tailored to the interests of Ms. magazine's readers... at least more than the make-up ads are.


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Other reader comments on this article

Comment By Date

I do not believe that Israel suffers from any lack of American support. I have a friend that works at... [MORE]

Rowland Miller 

Feb 13, 2008 14:50

I applaud Ms for their decision, and I'm certain they knew that it would lead to more endless baseless charges... [MORE]

Bill Diggs 

Jan 22, 2008 03:13

Shame on you MS Magazine. And shame on your naive view of mid-east policies and politics. [MORE]

mike 

Jan 20, 2008 01:00

for staying within your mission - you were right to do focus on the individual (great women) and not the... [MORE]

Tina 

Jan 17, 2008 23:08

Good for Ms. for be willing to draw a line and risk the usual backlash of anti-semitic claims. Ms. Magazine's... [MORE]

Barbara 

Jan 17, 2008 08:23

I would have to agree with Ms. magazine on refusing the ad. It would appear that Ms. was taking sides... [MORE]

koolwoman 

Jan 17, 2008 02:28

It's almost unbelievable that a magazine that purports to support women's issues chooses to be anti-Israel and pro Arab countries... [MORE]

RS 

Jan 17, 2008 00:47

What were these liberal (Jewish) women thinking? Don't they realize that it is a condition precedent for liberal-left activity to... [MORE]

David S. Levine 

Jan 16, 2008 20:31

Liberals, women or otherwise, need to read Ayaan Hirsi Ali's "Infidel" for a reality check on the absolutely suppressed status... [MORE]

Marty 

Jan 23, 2008 14:09

Does anyone have an idea how we can press her to respond? [MORE]

IL 

Jan 16, 2008 19:59

The supposed firestorm over this is a complete nonissue. Having worked with the magazine in the past, I know for... [MORE]

DNA 

Jan 16, 2008 19:49

What's really sickening is that far too many people equate "pro-Palestinian" with "anti-Israel," on both ends of the political spectrum.... [MORE]

Paul 

Jan 16, 2008 16:39

I am also saddened by the direction the magazine has taken in the last ten years. I remember buying the... [MORE]

Helen Chronister 

Jan 16, 2008 15:01

This is ridiculous--screening advertisements. Why do the magazine's editors fail to recognize a difference between the commercial and editorial sides...

Maria L. 

Jan 16, 2008 14:51

Political views notwithstanding...hasn't Ms. always been an advertising-free publication? That alone should be justification enough to decline placing the ad. [MORE]

Aimee 

Jan 16, 2008 13:32

I don't know if Ms. Spiller's comments were taken out of context, but I will follow up and email Ms.... [MORE]

Dena Barisano 

Jan 16, 2008 12:53

Now I'm going to have to go to the newsstand and look at Ms. to see if each of their... [MORE]

Lynne Foster Shifriss 

Jan 16, 2008 12:26

Yet another example of special interest groups going on PC witch hunts against everyone and anyone that doesn't kowtow to... [MORE]

NS 

Jan 16, 2008 12:02

This decision is doubly ironic in that if the current Hamas-led Palestinian faction got its way, there'd be no Ms.... [MORE]

Scott Baker 

Jan 16, 2008 11:38

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