The Parents Television Council sent letters Wednesday to advertisers that sponsored the April 6 episode of FX’s The Shield, which contained a graphic male-rape scene.
Sponsors such as Visa International Inc., Microsoft Corp., Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America Inc. were asked “to stop underwriting extremely violent and sexually graphic program material.”
“These shocking and disgusting depictions of sexual violence on The Shield were broadcast into millions of American homes,” PTC president Brent Bozell said in a prepared statement. “There is simply no plausible reason or excuse for FX and the creators of this program to air such nauseating and disturbing content.”
Bozell continued, “Our message to corporate advertisers is clear: The type of programming you sponsor is a direct reflection of your corporate values. Is this the type of content consumers should associate with your products?”
