To the editor: It’s attention-grabbing how shortly companies are inclined to affix in on the cancel tradition so distinguished in our each day on-line, usually nameless social media lives (“ABC drops ‘Jimmy Kimmel Dwell’ indefinitely over host’s Charlie Kirk remarks,” Sept. 17). There’s apparently no room to pause, contemplate and digest the occasions of the day. It could be prudent to weigh the info, contemplate the proof and talk about the results.
That doesn’t appear to be the present plan of action by the most important companies whose positions of energy and privilege are vital. I, for one, will contemplate ending my monetary contributions to ABC and Disney until they will state with transparency and accuracy any intentions to restrict speech on their worthwhile platforms.
Is free speech now not included in our mission? Am I to really conclude the company choices are made wholly on a monetary equation and never based mostly on the political favor of the celebration in energy? Please communicate with a transparent and unequivocal voice, ABC.
Gina Szilak, Santa Monica
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To the editor: I’m deeply disillusioned by ABC’s resolution to “indefinitely” drop Jimmy Kimmel’s present. He has been greater than a comic — he has been a trusted voice who provided laughter, honesty and perspective throughout tough occasions. Silencing that voice doesn’t simply have an effect on him; it impacts all of us.
Late-night comedy has at all times challenged concepts and mirrored tradition, even when uncomfortable. Suppressing a voice as a result of it’s controversial undermines free expression and open dialogue. Historical past reveals that when speech is curtailed, societies transfer towards conformity and management — the highway to dictatorship, not democracy. I’m now contemplating not watching my native affiliate channels anymore due to this resolution. I can’t assist any station that operates on this means.
Andrea Herron, Pismo Seashore
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To the editor: What Kimmel really mentioned on the air in regards to the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk is irrelevant. Free speech is free speech. However only for the document, Kimmel didn’t actually say something about Kirk. What he did was name out MAGA’s politicization of his dying, query the depth of the president’s grieving course of and make a joke about it — which, by the best way, is his job. Federal Communications Fee Chair Brendan Carr then made a not-so-veiled risk — which, by the best way, is just not his job — simply as Nexstar seeks FCC approval for a multibillion-dollar merger with Tegna. That’s all it took for ABC/Disney to drag the plug.
It isn’t at all times doable to see the second when the tide turns in a rustic’s historical past, a lot much less to do something about it. If you end up within the water, one of the best technique is to remain calm and keep afloat.
Bart Braverman, Indio
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To the editor: Kimmel’s comment that “the MAGA gang [is] desperately attempting to characterize this child who murdered Charlie Kirk as something aside from certainly one of them” was not a joke. It was not commentary. It was merely a lie meant to disparage supporters of President Trump.
John Amato, Sherman Oaks
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To the editor: In case you are like me and also you want your Kimmel repair each evening, there could also be just one strategy to make that occur. Cease watching ABC, cease shopping for any merchandise which might be closely marketed on ABC and cease subscribing to Disney+ and Hulu. Most significantly, allow them to know why. It looks as if the one factor these corporations actually care about is the almighty greenback. On this nation, we will make our personal choices on what media to eat. We should take again our energy. It’s our constitutional proper.
Linda Cooper, Studio Metropolis
