Census Bureau will not advertise on "controversial talk" or sexual/violent programming

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"Census Has Ad Money, But Not For Controversial Talk" by John Eggerton, Broadcasting & Cable, October 9, 2009

Attention broadcasters (and others) -- anyone wanting the chance to get in on a Census Bureau media buy needs to contact the bureau ASAP. But you can't have too much sex, or violence, be a reality show (unless it can be prescreened) or be a "controversial talk format," according to a questionnaire on the 2010 Census Web site.

The FCC's Office of Communications Business Opportunities put out an e-mail Friday saying that the Census Bureau is compiling a database of media outlets to publicize the census, including via paid media buys.

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It also identifies as a restricted environment "controversial talk formats." It does not go into further details, but it does say that among the requirements each vendor must meet in order "to be considered to receive business," is whether or not the programming meets the "content appropriateness guidelines."

The following, it says, are "restricted environments for all Census paid media and value-added opportunities":

--Excessive sex or violence

--Anti-U.S. government sentiments or supporting any violent acts toward the government or the American people, including but not limited to terrorism

--Questionable moral or ethical values, particularly dealing with bigotry or prejudice

--Denigration of any cultural group or faith-based communities (imams, ministers, nuns, priests, rabbis, etc.)

--Anticipated controversial programming that cannot be pre-screened (i.e. reality programming)

--Controversial talk formats