Adoptees call for Boycott of FOX Advertisers

A protest by adoptees will take place at Fox Studios in Century City on January 2, 2005. One of the many demonstrators, Ray Buffer, an adoptee rights activist has spoken out regarding Fox's planned reality gameshow, "Who's Your Daddy".

The series tests an adoptee to see if he or she can guess who, out of a selection of men, is that adoptee's birthfather.

The man who convinces the adoptee that he is the birthfather recieves a cash prize. Buffer believes the concept to be heinous and calls for a boycott on goods which are advertised during the show; if it airs. "Any advertiser who supports this program is as guilty as Fox and the show's producers of exploiting adoption, and exercising reprehensible bad taste." states Buffer.

Buffer sent to Fox and posted an open letter to Fox on the internet, which reads, in part, as follows:

"On behalf of many outraged adoptees, I wish to protest Fox Television's descent into deplorable reality programming with its new, "Who's Your Daddy" game show. For millions of adoptees, the experience of having been adopted and the search for one's roots has never been a game."

"No matter how your network attempts to frame the content of this show, its intent is clear: attract viewers to a risqué topic, and thereby attract advertisers. "

"Defending your show by saying that the adoptees and the birthfathers involved volunteered does not make it right. Both parties are either so desperate for truth that they leaped at the producers offer, or desperate for money - that they sold out the millions of adoptees and birthparents who are reeling from the secrecy barrier presented by many laws in many states."

"Without question, the reunions of adoptees have been exploited by others in different formats and venues, but treating the quest for identity as a game show is like kicking a disabled person repeatedly."

"Adoptees are disabled from knowing their identities unless laws are changed, private investigators are hired, or rich and greedy producers choose to exploit them."

"I implore you to leave this show on the shelf, and strive to create quality programming rather than sensationalistic and insulting television."

This letter can also be viewed in its entirety at:
http://www.father.2ya.com