Blogregation

The blog ad on left-leaning blogs states "SIRIUS Silences African-American Voices" and features a photograph of and quote from the Reverend Martin Luther King Jnr. The ad leads to a solicitation page (which doesn't ask for money, but appears to collect e-mail addresses) asking the reader to complain to SIRIUS. That page states:

For five years, The Word Network has provided African-Americans and other underserved minority communities around America and the world with positive family programming. Our mission was simple -- to stand with our community and support our values.

Today, The Word Network is asking you to stand with us during a time of struggle. We're looking for more than prayers -- we need your voice.

In early September, Sirius Satellite Radio kicked The Word Network off the air -- for good. Their reason for dropping us was our supposed "poor ratings" -- however, soon after we were told that our place on the satellite might be regained, but only for millions of dollars.

The Word Network has chosen to make a stand -- and to not turn the other cheek. Sirius' license requires it to serve the "public interest, convenience, and necessity." Clearly, Sirius hasn't -- so we're suing to see that they do. Our lawsuit seeks to hold Sirius accountable for its unjust decision and to return The Word Network to the air.

On the wingnut blogs, the ad reads "SIRIUS Cancels Christian Programming" and features an illustration of an old-timey wooden radio with a halo (which picks up the satellite signal, I guess).

From those sites, the solicitation reads:

For five years, The Word Network provided positive, Christian family programming to more than 40 million homes in America, the U.S. Armed Forces, and throughout the world. Our mission was simple -- to spread the Word and to stand up for our shared family values.

Today, The Word Network is asking you to stand with us during a time of struggle. We're looking for more than prayers -- we need your voice.

In early September, Sirius Satellite Radio kicked The Word Network off the air -- for good. In the meantime, Sirius is adding programming that insults the values of The Word Network and our millions of listeners. Their reason was our "poor ratings" -- but apparently our ratings weren't that poor. The Word Network was told by Sirius soon after that our place on the satellite might be regained, but only for millions of dollars.

The Word Network has chosen to make a stand -- and to not turn the other cheek. Sirius' license requires it to serve the "public interest, convenience, and necessity." Clearly, Sirius hasn't -- so we're suing to see that they do. Our lawsuit seeks to hold Sirius accountable for its unjust decision and to return The Word Network to the air.

So the Word Network thinks progressives don't want to hear about Christianity, and the right doesn't want to hear about African-Americans. But it's got a solution. I'm a pretty cynical bastard, but consider me impressed.

So what's on The Word Network? Most of the programs feature African-American clergy, although there's room on the schedule for phony faith healers Benny Hinn, Peter Popoff and Heinrich Bonnke. There are also a couple of shows featuring the Reverend Jesse Jackson. And a show featuring Bush's Katrina apologist, T.D. Jakes. (I'm not certain, but the network appears to a cable television channel, which would make the radio version an audio feed of teevee programs.)

For its part, Sirius has three Christian music channels (including one rock and one gospel channel), English and Spanish versions of a Catholic talk channel, and a talk channel carrying "[i]nspirational programming that appeals to people in a wide variety of Protestant, Catholic and Messianic Jewish denominations." That's six channels for Christians, none for any other religions. So, I wouldn't equate Sirius with George Wallace and Jesse Helms, but that's just me.

But, to The Word Network: Well played!