Group asks advertisers not to do business with CNN Student News

Posted 1:54PM on Tuesday 12th March 2002 ( 23 years ago )

ATLANTA - A nonprofit group opposed to commercialization in schools is asking advertising agencies not to do business with ``CNN Student News,'' which is seeking paid sponsorships. The educational news program was started in 1989 by Ted Turner as ``CNN Newsroom'' for students in public schools. It was commercial-free and not intended to make a profit. But Turner no longer oversees CNN, and the program, which is used in 18,000 U.S. schools, is now a part of AOL Time Warner. ``It's absolutely inappropriate to force children to watch advertising in schools,'' said Gary Rushkin, executive director of Commercial Alert. The group sent letters to the nation's 50 largest advertising agencies Monday, asking them not to put sponsorships on ``CNN Student News.'' The letters were signed by several other organizations and individuals, including consumer activist Ralph Nader, activist Phyllis Schlafly and Consumers Union, which publishes the magazine Consumer Reports. Program executives will be careful about what sponsorships they accept as they try to add a new source of revenue, said Mitch Leff, a spokesman for the TV show. ``Our credibility in the classroom is key to us,'' he said. ``We recognize if we lose that credibility, teachers will not use us.'' So far, no companies have signed up to become sponsors, said Leff. The sponsorships are part of a renewed push by CNN parent AOL Time Warner to profit from money-losing operations that are part of the corporation's Turner Learning unit. ``CNN Student News'' is broadcast at 4:30 a.m. for teachers to tape and use later for classroom instruction. It is aimed at middle and high school students.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/3/197606