The Jefferson Muzzles

Printer-friendly versionSend by emailThe Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression chooses April 13, the anniversary of Jefferson's birth, to issue its annual "Jefferson Muzzles" award to call attention to "those who in the past year forgot or disregarded Mr. Jefferson's admonition that freedom of speech 'cannot be limited without being lost.'" This year's awards included:

• CBS Television, which passed on the miniseries "The Reagans" amid conservative pressure, and which also refused to air Moveon.org's 30-second commercial criticizing the Bush administration during the Super Bowl, while it allowed erectile dysfunction commercials and the halftime show featuring Janet Jackson's bared breast.
• Martha Stewart's trial judge.
• Baseball Hall of Fame President Dale Petroskey, who canceled a 15th anniversary showing of "Bull Durham" because of opposition to the Iraq war by its stars, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins.