Sinclair Network to Air
Anti-Kerry film
on Election Eve
According to NewsMax.com, [LINK]
the anti-Kerry documentary “Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal” will
be shown on Sinclair Broadcast Group’s stations:
Sinclair Broadcast Group, one the nation's largest broadcasting
groups, has instructed its stations to pre-empt their regular
programming just days before the upcoming presidential election to air
the anti-Kerry documentary "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal."
The Sinclair network reaches about a quarter of the nation's homes.
The Los Angeles Times reported this weekend that the network's airing
of the unflattering documentary about John Kerry’s Vietnam service and
his anti-war activities may have much greater impact. Many Sinclair
stations broadcast in key swing states such as Florida and Ohio.
The documentary attacking Sen. John F. Kerry's anti-Vietnam War days
was reportedly funded by Pennsylvania veterans and produced by a
veteran and former Washington Times reporter.
Featuring former POWs accusing Kerry of betrayal, Sinclair plans to
classify the airing as news programming.
The liberal media and Kerry supporters are livid about Sinclair's
decision.
"It's not the American way for powerful corporations to strong-arm
local broadcasters to air lies promoting a political agenda," argued
David Wade, a spokesman for the Democratic nominee's campaign. "It's
beyond yellow journalism; it's a smear bankrolled by Republican money,
and I don't think Americans will stand for it."
Sinclair has 14 affiliated or owned stations in Ohio, Florida,
Pennsylvania and Wisconsin – key venues in the tight 2004 race.
According to the Times report, the documentary will be preempting
regular programming for one hour between Oct. 21 and Oct. 24 --
depending on the city.
A panel discussion will follow the airing of the controversial program
– a panel that reportedly Kerry will be asked to join.
Thus far, however, Kerry campaign officials advise they had been
unaware of Sinclair's special programming and claim candidate Kerry
has not yet received an invitation to appear.
This is not the first time Sinclair has ruffled establishment media
feathers. Last April Sinclair took the spotlight when it ordered its
ABC affiliated stations not to air Ted Koppel's "Nightline" special
that offered a roll call of all U.S. military who had died in Iraq.
Sinclair argued that "Nightline's" broadcasting of the names and
pictures of more than 700 U.S. troops was a political statement rather
than a tribute. The Times' noted Sinclair's Republican leanings and
said that Sinclair executives have given nearly $68,000 in political
contributions, 97 percent to Republicans.
Criticism is already pouring forth.
Keith Woods, dean of the faculty at the Poynter Institute, a
journalism school in St. Petersburg, Fla. Said, "To air a documentary
intended to provide a one-sided view of Kerry's record and call it
news — it's like calling Michael Moore's movie news."
Thus far the documentary has only been available on DVD or through an
Internet download.
The film’s producer, Carlton Sherwood, a Vietnam veteran and former
reporter for the conservative Washington Times tells viewers,
"Intended or not, Lt. Kerry painted a depraved portrait of Vietnam
veterans, literally creating the images of those who served in combat
as deranged drug-addicted psychopaths, baby killers . . ."
“Slanted” ABC memo draws ire
The NY post [LINK]:
ABC News was under fire last night after an internal memo surfaced
suggesting President Bush should be held more accountable for his
statements than John Kerry.
The memo to staffers from the network's powerful political director,
Marc Halperin, noted that while both campaigns are distorting the
truth, Kerry's bending of the facts shouldn't be hit as hard.
"Kerry distorts, takes out of context, and mistakes all the time, but
these are not central to his efforts to win," Halperin wrote.
But "the current Bush attacks on Kerry involve distortions and taking
things out of context in a way that goes beyond what Kerry has done,"
Halperin added.
Halperin further advised the ABC staff to keep that in mind when
reporting.
"We have a responsibility to hold both sides accountable to the public
interest, but that doesn't mean we reflexively and artificially hold
both sides 'equally' accountable when the facts don't warrant that,"
the memo continued.
"It's up to Kerry to defend himself, of course. But as one of the few
news organizations with the skill and strength to help voters evaluate
what the candidates are saying to serve the public interest, now is
the time for all of us to step up and do that right."
A spokesman for ABC news insisted "we are not interested in taking
sides, we are only interested in getting at the truth."
Halperin plays a mostly behind-the-scenes role at ABC, and is known as
the father of "The Note," a daily political memo that is read by
thousands of D.C. insiders, political players and journalists.
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