UPDATE: Wednesday – 2/29/2012, 6:02pm ET
WMATA issued a statement saying its advertising has been ruled by the courts as protected under the First Amendment, and the Authority does not decline ads based on their political content.
“WMATA does not endorse the advertising on our system, and ads to not reflect the position of the Authority,” says the statement.
In response to their statement, Congressman Jim Moran says, “I am disappointed by WMATA’s defense of this inappropriate advertisement. If their current advertising guidelines do not prohibit profane advertisements on taxpayer-funded property, then WMATA should take the initiative and update them. Profanity has no place in the public forum.
“The specific language in the WMATA-approved ad that should be removed is not political, it’s profane. It defames the President of the United States in a way that coarsens the public discourse. All Americans have the right to make their voice heard under the First Amendment. But when we are talking about an advertisement on tax-payer funded facilities, as is the case with Metro, it should meet the minimum standards of propriety. I repeat my call on WMATA to exercise appropriate judgment and remove this offensive ad.”
Adam Tuss, wtop.com
Wednesday – 2/29/2012, 4:06pm ET
WASHINGTON – It’s a Metro ad that a local Congressman says goes too far.
Northern Virginia Democrat Jim Moran says an ad in the Clarendon Metro station aimed at President Obama that contains the phrase “Go to hell Barack” should be taken down immediately.
The context of the ad centers on the recent health law.
Moran says families and tourists should not have to be subjected to the ad.
WTOP has contacted Metro for a comment.
Read Moran’s letter below:
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