KPCC suspends its own Planned Parenthood spots

KPCC has a "business relationship" with Planned Parenthood that involves running spots on the air that credit the group. With Planned Parenthood being used as a main wedge issue in the culture debate over shutting down the government, the station is going to, um, play down that particular relationship for a few days. Here's a note this afternoon to the operations, traffic and news staffs from programming honcho Craig Curtis:

From: "Curtis, Craig" Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2011 12:15:31 Subject: Planned Parentood credit suspension

Given that the budget debate in congress is focusing today on abortion in general and Planned Parenthood by extension, let us suspend airing any Planned Parenthood spots effective immediately.

There is nothing wrong with the spots per se, or with our business relationship with Planned Parenthood, but for a few days their presence on our air might raise questions in the mind of the “reasonable listener” regarding our editorial and sales practices.

I expect this will be a short-term suspension. In fact, let’s go ahead and plan to resume the Planned Parenthood spots on Monday. If we need to extend the suspension, I’ll let you know.

Traffic, please work with the sales department to arrange makegoods or adjust the contract dates when we resume the schedule.

Craig