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PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 27 May 2017

Company faces backlash for pulling Hannity ads

DAVID BAUDER the ads could be placed
AP Television Writer in at least four opinion-
NEW YORK (AP) — Financial based shows in violation
services firm USAA, facing of the company’s policy;
a backlash to its decision he didn’t immediately re-
to pull advertising from spond to a question about
Sean Hannity’s show on whether there were more.
Fox News Channel, says it Since the liberal advocacy
is withdrawing from other group Media Matters for
opinion-based television America posted a list of
programs. more than 150 of Hannity’s
The company, which sells advertisers earlier this week,
insurance and other prod- nine companies have said
ucts to members of the they no longer wanted to
U.S. military, veterans and be sponsors.
their families, had cited its That’s only a fraction of the
aversion to opinionated companies that backed
programming in backing out of the since-fired Bill
away from Hannity. O’Reilly’s Fox show last
The veteran talk show host month after news of settle-
has become a liberal tar- ments paid to women to
get because of his focus on quiet harassment claims.
a discredited story about a USAA’s decision was par-
murdered Democratic Na- ticularly disappointing
tional Committee staffer. since Hannity has support-
Yet the conservative ed veterans organizations,
watchdog Media Re- said Brent Bozell, president
search Center noted that of the Media Research In this March 4, 2016 file photo, Sean Hannity of Fox News appears at the Conservative Political
USAA ads had run in re- Center. Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Md.
cent weeks on left-lean- The decision provoked an Associated Press
ing shows hosted by Ra- angry response. A Memori-
chel Maddow, Lawrence al Day posting on the com- One woman wrote: “with than I expected it would USAA’s decision on Hannity
O’Donnell and Chris Mat- pany’s Facebook page one boneheaded move, be,” Bozell said, “and I was not the result of outside
thews on MSNBC. had nearly 500 comments you’ve made me start expected it would be in- pressure.
The ads were placed in er- Friday afternoon, many looking for a new house tense.” “We will continually review
ror and that mistake is be- from people protesting the and auto insurance, a new USAA noted that other our ad placements to en-
ing corrected, said Roger Hannity decision and vow- bank, a new investment companies had seen a sure we are consistent with
Wildermuth, USAA spokes- ing to move accounts from manager.” backlash from their deci- our policy,” he said.q
man. It wasn’t clear how USAA. “It was even more intense sions, too. Wildermuth said
Ben Stiller and wife Christine

Taylor announce separation

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ben and respect for each other, and the 18
Stiller and his wife an- years we spent together as a couple,
nounced Friday that they we have made the decision to sepa-
are separating after 17 rate. Our priority will continue to be
years of marriage. raising our children as devoted parents
Stiller and actress Chris- and the closest of friendswrote.q
tine Taylor released a joint
statement Friday announc- In this May 2, 2016 file photo, Ben Stiller, left,
ing their breakup. They and Christine Taylor arrive at The Metropoli-
were married in May 2000 tan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit
Gala, celebrating the opening of “Manus x
and have two children, Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology”
who they said will remain in New York.
their priority. Associated Press
“With tremendous love