DNC: Sinclair Broadcasting Group

[Kimber Scott]

http://www.democrats.org/news/200410110001.html

The Sinclair Broadcasting Group is a conservative broadcasting network that controls television airwaves in dozens of major television markets, including markets in battleground states such as Florida and Ohio. Recently, it has banned shows that are critical of the war on terror, ordered its stations not to air a tribute to our fallen U.S. soldiers, and now plans to air an anti-Kerry movie days before election day. The Sinclair Broadcasting Group has historically contributed thousands of dollars to Republican causes and its CEO also contributed the maximum to Bush-Cheney.

--snip--

Previously, Sinclair Group Ordered Its ABC Stations Not To Air American Soldier Tribute. While millions of viewers across the country watched a moving ABC special honoring the 500 U.S. soldiers who had died in Iraq at the time, the Sinclair Group forced its ABC affiliates to not show the program.

--snip--

Previously, Sinclair-Owned Station Refused to Air DNC Ad. Sinclair Broadcasting decided not to air a DNC ad criticizing George Bush. "While three Madison TV stations are airing an ad this week from the Democratic National Committee criticizing President Bush for his Iraq war policies, one station — Fox 47 — is taking heat for deciding not to air the ad. The 30-second spot, which is now only being aired in the Madison market, includes a clip of Bush's State of the Union address regarding Iraq's acquisition of uranium from Africa. Executives of the Maryland-based Sinclair Broadcast Group, the parent company of Fox 47, did not return phone calls."

Previously, Sinclair Forced Stations to "Broadcast Spots Declaring Support for President Bush and Other Government Leaders." "Sinclair Broadcast Group directed its more than 60 stations, including WBFF-TV and WNUV-TV in Baltimore, to broadcast spots declaring support for the efforts of President Bush and other government leaders. The spots direct viewers to log on at www.supportournation.com or to call a 900 number to register their views. (Officials said the 50-cent fee for each call simply covered its costs.) At WBFF, anchors were drafted to tape the messages in support of the White House, stirring internal fears they were compromising their professional objectivity."

--much more--

http://www.democrats.org/news/200410110001.html

[NVMojo]

1. over 11,000 have signed

the Stop Sinclair petition that will be taken to the FCC on Friday.

http://www.stopsinclair.org/index.php

[Carla in Ca]

12. 12,500 have signed the petition.

n/t

[Mikeinduburgh]

2. They posted a POLL at Sinclair News!

I'm watching my local Sinclair news station (collecting contact info for its local advertisers) and they said they posted a POLL on the Anti-Kerry film!

Here it is:

http://newscentral.tv/

Go vote.

Mike

[ORprogressive]

3. Boycott?

This will take more than polls or signatures. We need to speak in a language they understand. $$$$$.

[Longhorn]

4. Welcome to DU, Mikeinduburgh!

And thanks for the heads up on the poll! No is winning, about two to one!

[Amigust]

15. That poll won't stop them.

The only thing that could stop them would be something they recognized as a threat greater than the value of AWOL's doggie biscuits thrown their way.

They will see controversy only as free advertising.

The risk of an FEC complaint would have to represent mucho $$$$ to offset the biscuits. If the sponsors pull out, I'm sure there are others who would gladly step in.

There are $trillions$ in benefits riding on this election. Sinclair and thousands like it are willing to sell their country down the river for those $benefits$ and are NOT going to be pushed silently into the night.

[Kimber Scott]

5. 38% Yes, 62% NO

Welcome to DU! Did you post this poll in the GD, and GD Campaign 2004 forums?

[Mikeinduburgh]

7. Newscentral Poll

No, I didn't post it anywhere else.

Feel free to post it wherever you want.

[Kimber Scott]

8. Will do.

[Sydnie]

6. Done

Do you think Sinclair Broadcast Group should run the documentary?

37% Yes
63% No

[Bjornsdotter]

10. Done....

....and Welcome to DU!

Cheers,
Kim :toast:

[Carla in Ca]

11. 65% NO 35% YES

n/t

[acmavm]

13. Poll numbers 12:00 a.m. CST

Do you think Sinclair Broadcast Group should run the documentary?



35% Yes
65% No

[MaineDem]

16. 33 Yes; 67 No at 5:40AM ET

I doubt this will help though. It's a start.

[Systematic Chaos]

9. I have signed the petition

Called my wife at work and she will also be signing it when she gets home tomorrow morning.

[BUSHOUT]

14. I was number 12172.

[serryjw]

17. This can't be legal........

Is this a documentary or a docudrama? ONE has an interpretive perspective to it. Stating that Kerry testified in Congress is a fact. The potential impact of the testimony is NOT fact but interpretation. Employee of the Network/station runs NEWS out of the NEWS dept. Is this commentary? When you have political commentary on NEWS show the person is IDENTIFIED as a news correspondent for the station (Richard Clark) has anyone at Sinclair checked the facts? Did they have ‘approval rights” on content? How can an independent film maker produce a ‘documentary’ out of the news department. When has this ever been done before?

[Jose Diablo]

18. I would say that with its 40% ownership

of the broadcast media outlets in the USA, this corporation is a prime candidate for dissolution.