Beyond Propoganda

Hey, kids!

Do stories about Arctic drilling, ineffective energy policies and outrageous oil prices bum you out?

Well...don't worry!

BP, that little oil company with first quarter earnings of $79.81 billion has issued a little edict to newspaper and magazine publisher demanding that "ad-accepting publications inform BP in advance of any news text or visuals they plan to publish that directly mention the company, a competitor or the oil-and-energy industry."

In other words, any story that reflects negatively on the oil and energy business could garner a retraction of the $21.7 million BP spends in print advertising.

How does that make you feel?

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Days after financial services giant Morgan Stanley informed print publications that its ads must be automatically pulled from any edition containing "objectionable editorial coverage," global energy giant BP has adopted a similar press strategy.

According to a copy of a memo on the letterhead of BP's media-buying agency, WPP Group's MindShare, the global marketer has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward negative editorial coverage.

I, actually, am kinda relieved to hear that.

No more investigative stories that would make me mad and angry and discontent -- I bet there will be more happy stories about blissful white people driving Hummers in the well-lit cities of the future. They live in comfortable, stylish lofts during the week and jet off to exotic locales every weekend. Just like you and me!

As soon as take my bath in BP Gasoline and Dawn Dishwashing Detergent and wash away the residue left behind by some pesky, unreported oil slick, I'll get on living my Jesus-Loving Saving It All for Marriage American Life.