No Advertising for the "Dixie Chicks"?

Pop band "Dixie Chicks" became famous in 2003 for making disparaging remarks about GWB in London. They have now made a film about their subsequent experience and are trying to advertise that film.

Many TV networks have approved the ad for airing but two have refused it. The ad repeats the disparaging remarks about GWB and one network gave that as the reason for rejecting the ad. Representatives of the "Chicks" have said that the rejection was a breach of the free speech rights of the "Chicks" and have blamed the rejection on a "climate of fear".

They are probably right about the "climate of fear" but fear of what? Fear of falling foul of McCain/Feingold's political advertising restrictions before an election, I would think.

As private companies, the TV networks are not of course bound by the First Amendment. Details here.