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An open letter to Mr. G. Richard Wagoner Jr., President and CEO, General
Motors Corporation
Dear Mr. Wagoner, As corporate citizens, I’m sure that General Motors
Corporation is aware of public concern about excessive violence in the media,
and its negative impact on our community. Recent
local and national events involving domestic abuse, workplace and school
shootings emphasize how important it is for individuals and companies to take a
position against violence. Numerous studies have linked watching graphic
violence to antisocial conduct and an increased probability of acting out
violent behavior. Every day,
America is deluged with headlines detailing the ravages violence on our society. As a consumer, I am writing to express my concern and
disappointment over General Motors Corporation’s Pontiac division’s
sponsorship of the television show Survivor 2 on CBS.
I was offended by GM’s association, through sponsorship, of the
February 15 Survivor broadcast showing the graphic slaughter of a pig.
This graphic brutality in a popular prime time television show, which was
seen by millions of adolescents and young children, encourages inappropriate and
violent behavior. Are you aware
that the day after the broadcast, two separate stabbing incidents occurred in
the Boston public schools? Pontiac’s sponsorship of CBS Survivor 2 makes it appear
that General Motors Corporation endorses inappropriate and violent behavior.
I would like an explanation of your company’s policy regarding
sponsorship of graphic violence as entertainment.
I would also appreciate an explanation of your company’s position on
promotion of violence in the media, and request that you inform your media
outlets that this material offends your customers. I hope that General Motors Corporation will see this as an
opportunity to take a leadership role on this important issue. A reasonable response would be for you to inform your media
outlets that your customers are offended by graphic violence, and to avoid
sponsorship of such programming in the future. An exemplary response would be
for you to organize all of the sponsors of Survivor to send CBS a clear message
that sponsorship of this type of programming is a corporate liability that will
not be tolerated in the future. If
a reasonable response is not provided, I will take my family’s future
business, and encourage others to take their business to companies that take a
strong position against violence. Although
some may argue that advertisers should not have a role in determining media
content, I take the position that market pressure is urgently needed to balance
a runaway situation. I am looking
forward to your response. Sincerely, Chuck Anastasia |
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