Sinclair to Air `A POW Story: Politics, Pressure and the Media'

[wicket]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041019/phtu047a_1.html

Sinclair Broadcast Group announced today that on Friday, October 22, 2004 at 8:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. central time) certain television stations owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. will air a special one-hour news program, entitled "A POW Story: Politics, Pressure and the Media." In order to minimize the interruption of normally scheduled programming in those markets where Sinclair owns and/or programs more than one television station, the news special will be broadcast on only one of those stations. A complete list of stations which will be airing the program and the times of such broadcasts is attached.

The news special will focus in part on the use of documentaries and other media to influence voting, which emerged during the 2004 political campaigns, as well as on the content of certain of these documentaries. The program will also examine the role of the media in filtering the information contained in these documentaries, allegations of media bias by media organizations that ignore or filter legitimate news and the attempts by candidates and other organizations to influence media coverage.

Contrary to numerous inaccurate political and press accounts, the Sinclair stations will not be airing the documentary "Stolen Honor" in its entirety. At no time did Sinclair ever publicly announce that it intended to do so. In fact, since the controversy began, Sinclair's website has prominently displayed the following statement: "The program has not been videotaped and the exact format of this unscripted event has not been finalized. Characterizations regarding the content are premature and are based on ill- informed sources."

-snip-

Mr. Smith further stated, "We cannot in a free America yield to the misguided attempts by a small but vocal minority to influence behavior and trample on the First Amendment rights of those with whom they might not agree. I have been encouraged, however, by the thousands of e-mails and other messages I, and others, received supporting Sinclair's efforts to hold firm to its ideals in the face of a firestorm of controversy which, ironically, was actually based on misinformation. We also took comfort in the positions of other media organizations which supported our right to present this story notwithstanding any disagreement they may have with the content, as well as in the words of Michael Powell, Chairman of the FCC, who refused to block the program, noting that to do so would be 'unconstitutional' and 'an absolute disservice to the First Amendment.'"
-----------------------------------------------------------

OMG, are they backtracking????!!!! Sure sounds like it!!!!

[Cerridwen]

1. I'd like to find a link to when Sinclair *did* say they

were going to air the "documentary" in its entirety.

Anyone have one?


edited: got a link to their announcement at the Washington Times

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20041009-060025-2603r.htm

[Ruby Romaine]

2. didn't they say 1st night of world series?

[BootinUp]

I thought it was originally an LA Times story

But I admit I don't know exactly how the story got started.

[Longhorn]

22. Here's the first link I could find on DU about it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=896855

[StrongbadTehAwesome]

86. also CNN

http://money.cnn.com/2004/10/11/news/newsmakers/sinclair_kerry/index.htm?cnn=yes

"Sinclair has ordered all 62 of its stations to air "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal" without commercials in prime-time next week, the Washington Post reported, just two weeks before the Nov. 2 election."

[4_Legs_Good]

3. Mwah hah hah! This is the first step to a big win here.

Great work everyone!

You lose 12% of your stock value in two days and you start getting nervous.

Keep it up everyone!

david

[fugop]

7. Making me nervous

I hope they're backing down. I had been relaxing a little though, having read reviews of the movie, thus knowing it had no surprises in store (since the film was already viewed). I don't trust freakin' Sinclair, though, and this announcement of a "new" program makes me nervous that they're going to try to drop some fake bombshell.

I hate these guys. I hope their stock continues heading down to hell.

[NeoConsSuck]

39. I shorted their POS stock today..

and will short more tomorrow. Thank you Smith morans, for allowing me to make money in the chimp stock money. LOL!!

[NeoConsSuck]

40. By the end of the week, PK.SBGI

[papau]

4. So a one hour dump on F911 and Going up River? With promos for

"Stolen Honor" (but not shown in its entirety!!!!) and other far right "documentary" efforts.

Cute

:-)

[Cocoa]

5. damage control

but probably too late, the name Sinclair means "shit."

[lachattefolle]

6. What a bunch of damn lying hypocrites

the only thing they love better than their stupid "conservative" values is money. I am not planning to forgive them or their advertisers any time soon.

[Ruby Romaine]

8. it sounds like it's no better- & still an attack on Kerry

[Ruby Romaine]

9. here's the details-still very anti-Kerry and Not Acceptable!

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/10-19-2004/0002288049&EDATE=

[jugami]

11. Agreed

What else would you expect form these bums.

[BootinUp]

13. agreed, its the same thing they have been saying

This is how they are trying to spin it as a news show. Still a horrendous political attack.

Obviously they haven't had enough yet.

[Zorra]

47. It appears that SBG told its executives and stations that it was going to

air the "Stolen Honor" documentary, but never made an "official" public PR announcement. Someone leaked this info to the press, and the story was published.

However, it seems Sinclair held back making a "public" PR announcement until after the leak so that they could first gauge public reaction.

After getting overwhelmingly slammed by a slew of outraged Americans, SBG decided to change their plan in a damage control spin maneuver, and not air "Stolen Honor", but instead air a somewhat related program.

It may be true that they never officially "publically" announced the airing of "Stolen Honor", but their method of testing the market waters, and the fact that they allowed their stock to radically drop before this recent announcement, indicates that they originally intended to air the "Stolen Honor" documentary and backed off due to financial and PR disaster.

Regardless of this lame attempt at damage control and covering up their original intentions, they are abusing their position as a private corporate media monopoly in control of public airwaves by airing any politically motivated propaganda program and passing it off as a news program.

Here is what I believe to be the original article that appeared in the LA Times:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-na-sinclair9oct09,1,4817545.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Here is a Washington Times/UPI article that appeared the same day, I believe:

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20041009-060025-2603r.htm

[54anickel]

56. Quote from Hyman - see post 22

Sinclair, based in the Baltimore suburb of Hunt Valley, decided to air the film after it was rejected for airing by the major broadcast networks, vice president Mark Hyman said. "This is a powerful story," Hyman said. "The networks are acting like Holocaust deniers and pretending don't exist. It would be irresponsible to ignore them."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22788-2004Oct10.html

[Zorra]

66. Thanks.

One more documented republican lie.

[PA Democrat]

10. Sinclair Broadcasting is the "victim"

Good thing those poor innocent little thugs have friends like Michael Powell and other corporate media conglomerates to defend them against the likes of us.

[sandnsea]

30. Liberal bashing piece???

I'm betting on a piece that tells the anti-Kerry POW story and for a bonus, how liberals attacked Sinclair because they didn't want the truth out. Anybody else?

[PA Democrat]

43. I think you're right

They will present themselves as the victims of a liberal attempt to silence Sinclair, the crusaders for the rights of the "free press". Oh wait.... just ignore how Sinclair refused to air the Nightline piece that honored the soldiers who had died in Iraq.

[CAcyclist]

60. Right - they must be stopped

Sinclair has to be driven bankrupt or the company broken up, no matter what they do, even if they sweeten the pot. They have proven themselves to be corrupt - that's not going to change.

I think the idea of people buying a share in order to get voting rights is an excellent idea. Any idea of how many shares are owned by the CEOs?

[SOS]

54. Yes

Mr. Smith stated, "We cannot in a free America...trample on the First Amendment rights of those with whom they might not agree. We also took comfort...in the words of Michael Powell...'unconstitutional' and 'an absolute disservice to the First Amendment.'"

Both Smith and Powell bring up the First Amendment. Seems that public ownership of the airwaves is a foreign concept to them.
CBS apparently does not share in these First Amendment rights. CBS cancelled a 60 Minutes piece on Iraq and the Reagan movie under pressure from these very same constitutional purists.

[shirlden]

12. Wait a friggin minute

If this "news" program is not biased against Kerry why are they only offering Kerry a chance for rebuttal??? Shouldn't all candidates and parties be given that same opportunity?? Their bullsh#t overrunneth their explanation. Gawd, these greedy pigs are really getting to me.

:argh:

[aquart]

23. Oh, VERY good point.

If it isn't an attack on Kerry, why is only Kerry offered rebuttal.

YES!

[CAcyclist]

61. Brilliant!

That's so obvious and yet it never occurred to me.

[Tropez]

14. Too Bad for Them!

It's too bad for them. They sunk their stock for something they were not even planning to show the entire video of. Serves them right for not speaking up sooner and just letting the stock tumble...

[ima_sinnic]

49. serves them right for even suggesting such a repugnant idea

... a fair and impartial press is priceless, not to be messed with.

[emulatorloo]

15. Nothing but SPIN. . .same old same old EOM

[tishaLA]

16. This is just more of the same

nothing has been won. Sinclair is making themselves look like rich victims of the evil liberal establishment.

Don't fall for it. Push harder to bring them down.

[bagnana]

17. David Smith the "principled" whoremonger

This guy is such an a-hole. Arrested for driving down the interstate getting a bj from a hooker and has the nerve to talk about principles. What a hypocritical, disgusting, horrible person he is!!!

[henslee]

59. Sure would like a" smoking gun" style mugshot & incident report on that

crime. It ought to be available.

[Ernesto]

18. Let us keep up the pressure Amigos!

Sounds like Sinclair is up against the ropes. Keep the E mails a coming. The sent of blood (theirs) is in the air!

[schultzee]

34. Ernesto, I wish you could talk to my nephew, Ramon, and get him to

be as much an activist as you are. I have been calling the advertizers this morning and now I am going to email the pigs who are supporting the destruction of our great democracy.

[daleo]

19. This is just Plan B

They can air lots of juicy anti-Kerry clips from the so-called movie, and claim that it is news. Then, they will get a pretend liberal to make a half-hearted attempt at balance for a few seconds here and there. This way they can get the message out in a format that uses less commercial time and doesn't strain the attention span of viewers, while claiming it is a serious examination of the media.

Diabolically clever.

[wishlist]

20. I am sure they announced on TV they were showing Stolen Honer at 9pmr

Seems like our local news anchors already announced they were showing Stolen Honor at 9pm on Friday. I will check their website to see what their scripts show, because this looks like a change from the original announcement despite what Sinclair is saying now.

[daleo]

28. It may well be a change of plan on their part

I guess I am just saying that their "remedy" will be manipulative propaganda as well. Perhaps they were playing this way all along, or maybe this will just be a hastily put together clip show from the movie with a few talking head moments sprinkled throughout - think of a Simpsons clip show. I tend to think the latter will be the case.

I do think it is an improvement over them showing the movie as originally announced, though. At least they will have had to respond to popular indignation, at least a little. But don't expect anything fair and balanced, except as that phrase is used in irony by Fox.

[RamboLiberal]

45. Here's what Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported on Friday

Sinclair advertisers face boycott over Kerry film
Friday, October 15, 2004

By Sally Kalson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Here are some recent developments arising from Sinclair Broadcast Group's decision to order its 62 stations -- including WPGH 53 and WCWB 22 in Pittsburgh -- to air the John Kerry-bashing film "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal" two weeks before the election.

Local air dates: The film will air in Pittsburgh at 9 p.m. on Oct. 21 on WCWB, Channel 22, and at 8 p.m. Oct. 22 on WPGH, Channel 53.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04289/396184.stm

Sally Kalson is a responsible reporter - I doubt she pulled the air dates from thin air. Well looks like they're only showing it on 1 of their 2 stations in Pittsburgh. Anyone know if Playoff Baseball goes beyond 6 games when 7th games air cause station here where it's airing is a Fox affiliate? I could hope baseball will bump it down to the WB station they own here. With Friday night HS football and other Friday activities(supposed to be decent weather here) I doubt locally if they'll get many viewers. That may be the only good thing. I just dropped WPGH another email and said it made no difference to this viewer - they and their advertisers were going to be boycotted by this viewer.

Only show I watch on their station is 24(I didn't tell them that), and I'll wait till the DVD's on that.

[progressivebydesign]

21. They can lie all they want.. BUT WE WON!!!!!!

WE shut their slimy, lying asses down! NOW they have to come up with a "news" show. Even though it'll be anti-KERRY, it's NOT what they planned, and EVERYONE knows it!!

We won against them.. we did! Fuck them, and their attempt to spin this. WE KICKED SINCLAIR'S ASS!!!

Don't we all KNOW that Jon Lieberman will tell all about their original plans to air the film? And do they think we're stupid enough to believe that, if they hadn't planned to air the film, they would have corrected it sooner???

HA HA WE WON!!!!

[cali]

24. We didn't win.

It's as bad or worse than it always was.

[tishaLA]

31. No we didn't win

They're still smearing. But they're calling it a differnt name and making themselves the martyrs for the First Amendment.

They still need to sink lower.

[onenote]

46. its worse not better

now they're gonna show big hunks of Stolen Honor and wrap around it a "news" report about how the big "liberal" media is hiding this important "true story" from the American people. Its total crapola.

onenote

[donkeyotay]

55. Nail. Head

New York, NY, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- A conservative U.S. broadcaster whose outlets reach one-quarter of the nation's TV viewers is airing a film that attacks John Kerry just before the election. Sinclair Broadcast Group has ordered its 62 stations to preempt regular programming during primetime to air "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal," the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20041009-060025-2603r.htm

How typical. They never take responsiblity. They just spin, spin, spin. And, in a classic Republican two-fer, they will whine about the librul media while they smear Kerry.

[gavodotcom]

64. I don't know if that's worse.

I get visions of Ross Perot's informercials when it's said like that. Entertaining, but not very informative, considering the source.

Imagine watching F9/11 with some dork cutting in every 5 minutes explaining how Michael Moore's right and Bush is a bad man. It would totally destroy whatever sort of emotional response the viewer would have towards an unabridged F9/11. If they're going to do it that way, I welcome them to do so. $112,000,000 in stock value is a lot of money to coerce 0.1% of the Republican voters to vote.

Anyway, it'll be on Friday. People will be busy.

[progressivebydesign]

53. Sorry.. I still see it as a victory..

They can whine all they want about Free Speech, but the fact IS, they were going to air that piece of shit movie in its entirety, then have some lameass debate following. NOW they have to come up with a "news program". AND.. with the eyes of their advertisers, the other media, and US upon them, they have to AT LEAST appear to be somewhat balanced.

We made them blink. We exposed them to the Country for the scums they are. We won.

[onenote]

57. balanced?

why on earth do you think they give a rat's ass about appearing balanced? this p.o.s is going to tilt so far to the right you couldn't balance with Rush's fat ass.

onenote

[CAcyclist]

63. It's a step, but we need the whole thing

We need to bring them down completely one way or another.

[private_ryan]

25. They're nto backing down

just changing the name of what they palnned on doing. Keep up the pressure.

[WhiteCross]

26. Finally got a response from Pepsi...

Out of GE/NBC, Sinclair, McDonalds, Target, Energizer, Kraft, etc., it was actually one of the best:


Hello!
Thank you for taking the time to contact us at PepsiCo. Accurate and
balanced journalism is important to us, and we appreciate your thoughts regarding Sinclair Broadcasting Group's upcoming plans.
We have no national advertising buys scheduled with Sinclair
Broadcasting, nor do we plan to advertise on the program in question.
We will also make our bottlers aware of this situation and share these
concerns so they can take them into consideration as they plan their
local marketing efforts. We will follow the resolution of this issue
closely.
Given your concerns, we also would suggest that you communicate your
views directly to Sinclair Broadcasting Group's President and Chief
Executive Officer, David D. Smith. He can be contacted at Sinclair
Broadcasting Group, 10706 Beaver Dam Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21030, or
via email at [e-mail]
Again, many thanks for bringing this to our attention. We value your
comments, and equally, the constructive spirit in which they are
offered.

-Pepsi-Cola Company

[wishlist]

27. I tried to pull up transcripts where they announced Stolen Honor at 9 pm

I checked my Sinclair station website where you could always pull up transcripts of their broadcasts because I was sure I heard them on several occasions announce showing of Stolen Honor at 9pm Friday including this morning, but I couldn't find any! So I called their 800 number and was told that they have a new computer system not yet compatible with posting transcripts! Very convenient so there is no online proof that they previously announced plans to show Stolen Honor at 9pm and that this is a clear change in their agenda contrary to what David Smith says in the letter. Tapes can be ordered from the station but I am sure some people have been taping their broadcasts because they have run stories about this and interviews with protestors outside the station yesterday and today.

[PUFF N STUFF]

52. LOL - Check out how much their stock has tanked in the last 5 days

A 5 day history, look at the chart on the page...

http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?pg=qu&sid=14752&osymb=SBGI&time=5dy&uf=0&x=38&y=12

Now look at the last 6 months...

http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?pg=qu&sid=14752&osymb=SBGI&time=6mo&uf=0&x=34&y=1

Can you say Chapter 11!

[sonicx]

29. do they think we're dumb?

take the WHOLE program OFF!!! :grr:

[schultzee]

32. I have been callilng their advertizers on my own dime. I hate those

greed pigs. P&G even has created its own PAC for GW. Boycott them. They advertize on Sinclair too.

[SiouxJ]

33. Oh, I hope they mention that Reagan movie

;-) That the Right had a fit about. Yeah right.

[Bandit]

35. I think they must have edited out the part with the GI that is suing

them for libel. If they didn't edit out that section they may have been court ordered to halt the airing of the film. Now they can say they are only airing selected portions and everyone was wrong all the time. They are propaganda masters no doubt. I doubt many people will watch their "News" show anyway but it still reeks to high heaven.

[wicket]

36. They are so damn shady

[Laelth]

37. It's amazing what one good lawsuit will do ...

Notice that they don't care what we think (they said so). And they have Powell in their pocket (as they're so proud to display). They're not even scared of losing revenue (they sold much of their stock early, knowing that the stock price would tumble).

And then one good lawsuit get filed and wham!!!! Reverse course!

This is why it's so important not to allow our legislators to set caps on punitive damages. Cuz the courts are fair! And a jury of 12 has real power to make corporations behave like good citizens by slapping offenders with a stiff punitive damage award.

That's what tort law is supposed to do!

Love it! :toast:

-Laelth

[Tatiana]

58. EXCELLENT POINT!

During times when our FCC has failed us in regulating legislation that is on the books, our only recourse is court. The courts are the people's last chance at preservation of justice.

[JDPriestly]

38. This does not sound good

"In fact, Sinclair has been in private communication with Senator Kerry's
campaign, including a recent face-to-face meeting with senior campaign
officials, for approximately two weeks in order to negotiate participation in the special by either Senator Kerry or his designee. Although the Kerry campaign declined to participate, Sinclair has left the invitation open and will make every effort to accommodate the Senator up to the air date for the program should he become willing to present his viewpoint for Sinclair's audience."

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&S...

Not believable that Kerry declined to participate unless the "participation" offer was a sham. What are the Kerry campaign and the DNC saying about this?

[ElectroPrincess]

41. This link goes nowhere. Like the rumor?

[w4rma]

42. They wanted to sit Sen Kerry in a room surrounded by a bunch of rw whackos

and insult him for about an hour after they run a nasty infomercial about him and then call it "equal time". These people are sick. And this bullcrap press release by them is just an attempt to muddy the water. It's not a reverse as far as I can tell. In fact, they seem to be acting nastier, now.

[Zorra]

50. Sinclair is FOS. They could have announced that "Stolen Honor" would

not be shown days ago, before their stock took a dive.

Sorry, I ain't buyin' what they're sellin'.

[Philostopher]

78. For Kerry to dignify this smear with his presence

would be very, very stupid. He does, it seems, pick his battles well. My guess is, this isn't one he feels is worth fighting in person.

Now, if they want to send one of the vets who's been stumping for Kerry, that's the campaign's business -- but I think it's wise for Kerry not to walk into this charade. It would legitimize it.

[PUFF N STUFF]

44. Another article from USAToday about Sinclair

Here is a link to another article form USAToday.com

http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2004-10-19-sinclair-kerry-film_x.htm

[yardwork]

48. This sounds worse than their previous plans!

And I do think it is a response to the lawsuits.

I am going to redouble my pressure on SBG advertisers. More lies from the lying liars.

[clydefrand]

51. See how Sinclair is doing. Link to chart of stock activity

http://quotes.nasdaq.com/quote.dll?page=charting&mode=basics&selected=sbgi

[StupidFOX]

68. Holy crap! Down to $6.20, already pretty low before that.

Looks like they're trying to be martyrs.

[bagnana]

62. I truly hate these people

I wish they would lose all their money and poor 'ol David would have to beg for some ho to give him a bj instead of getting one in his company car. I keep harping on this, I know, but it just makes my head explode the way this sanctimonious jerk talks about the station being victimized. No, David, you are the villain. You are the one who put your selfish interests above those of your company and shareholders. You are the one who apparently insider traded, Enron style. You are the ho-bag who cheated on your wife with a paid prostitute in a company car. You are the villain, and your god surely knows it.

[Amigust]

65. Entire or not, it's already clear Sinclair will use the footage that is

most critical of Kerry, even though the claims about Kerry's statements making POW lives more difficult are, in the long run, likely false. The reverse may be more likely true, that his testimony, as a vital part of this nation's awakening to the Vietnam horror, probably helped bring that war (and therefore the POW confinements) to an earlier conclusion than otherwise would have occurred.

As to the accuracy of Kerry's 1971 testimony, history has already well established its accuracy.

The movie outrageously distorts Kerry's testimony by claiming that Kerry was painting all Vietnam service members with the same brush. Absolute rubbish, as any honest inquirer can discern.

View the October 13 Democracy Now! report for coverage of the issue.
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/10/13/144229"

John Kerry Then: Hear Kerry's Historic 1971 Testimony Against the Vietnam War (Democracy Now!)
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/02/20/1535232

The official movie website
http://www.stolenhonor.com/documentary/background.asp

[symbolman]

67. PLEASE

Get my flash out to as many people as possible - it stresses the fact that THEY Would not allow the Nightline program to HONOR the fallen troops -- THIS IS AS IMPORTANT as spamming advertisers..

THIS is what will piss off even freepers..

Here's the Link, get it to as many people as possible -

All the links are clickable, the more people that get it the more damage we can do to those bastards!

Turn up your speakers and get the word out with MEDIA as well..

Don't forget to WRITE to the Advertisers that have folded and THANK THEM -- when we did our Limbaugh Boycott we found that that is what helps them feel like they did the right thing..

Here's "Our Media is Broken"

http://web.takebackthemedia.com/geeklog/public_html/staticpages/index.php?page=20041013042650709

[Amigust]

70. Great flash, symbolman !

eom

[fishwax]

69. They are still showing Stolen Honor in OKC

At least, it is still listed in the 7 pm time slot on tvlistings.zap2it.com.

[Flammable Materials]

75. Sinclairs own web listings for both stations in Nashville still show it.

[BUSHOUT]

77. HAVE A LOOK AT THIS PEOPLE. GET INSPIRED TO ATTACK ADVERTISERS!!!

Go here if you haven't yet: http://www.dkosopedia.com/index.php/Sinclair_Broadcast_Group

PM me if you want more links.

[donkeyotay]

85. "America needs a Leader, not a Letter" LOL, that's great! (nt)

[wicket]

71. kick!

:kick:

[Flammable Materials]

72. WHY, THEN, DOES THIS SHOW UP ON MY DISH NETWORK GUIDE?

And on not one, but both Sinclair-owned stations in Nashville?

No stated plans to run it, my ass.

[WLKjr]

73. Because they rarely ever

update the damn program guides. I could point out many a channels that had the wrong info for the wrong show for the wrong time.

[Flammable Materials]

74. I dunno, things seem to get updated pretty regularly.

They may not be correct, but they're updated. :)

[dave502d]

76. I'm so glad i found this site.

You Guys and Girl have Power.

[BUSHOUT]

79. Go HERE and HERE for boycott info. Renaming the "event' is insulting.

http://www.boycottsbg.com/

http://www.dkosopedia.com/index.php/Sinclair_Broadcast_Group

[Dem2theMax]

80. Folks, just go to the horse's mouth - Sinclair.

Here is the schedule:

Market & Stations To Air "A POW Story"

Baltimore WBFF Friday 10/22 8PM
Birmingham WTTO Friday 10/22 7PM
Buffalo WUTV Friday- 10/22 8PM
Cedar Rapids KGAN Friday 10/22 7PM
Champaign, IL WICD Friday 10/22 7PM
Charleston, SC WMMP Friday 10/22 8PM
Charleston, WV WCHS Friday 10/22 8PM
Cincinnati WSTR Friday 10/22 8PM
Columbus WSYX Friday 10/22 8PM
Dayton WKEF Friday 10/22 8PM
Des Moines KDSM Friday 10/22 7PM
Flint WSMH Friday 10/22 8PM
Greensboro WXLV Friday 10/22 8PM
Greenville/Asheville WLOS Friday 10/22 8PM
Kansas City KSMO Friday 10/22 7PM
Las Vegas KVWB Friday 10/22 8PM
Lexington WDKY Friday-10/22 8PM
Madison WMSN Friday-10/22 7PM
Milwaukee WVTV Friday-10/22 7PM
Minneapolis KMWB Friday-10/22 7PM
Nashville WZTV Friday 10/22 7PM
Norfolk WTVZ Friday 10/22 8PM
Oklahoma City KOKH Friday 10/22 7PM
Paducah KBSI Friday 10/22 7PM
Pensacola/Mobile WEAR Friday 10/22 7PM
Peoria WYZZ Friday 10/22 7PM
Pittsburgh WPGH Friday-10/22 8PM
Portland WGME Friday 10/22 8PM
Raleigh WLFL Friday 10/22 8PM
Richmond WRLH Friday-10/22 8PM
Rochester WUHF Friday 10/22 8PM
Sacramento KOVR Friday 10/22 7PM
St. Louis KDNL Friday 10/22 7PM
San Antonio KABB Friday 10/22 7PM
Springfield, MA WGGB Friday 10/22 8PM
Springfield, IL WICS Friday 10/22 7PM
Syracuse WSYT Friday 10/22 8PM
Tallahassee WTWC Friday 10/22 8PM
Tampa WTTA Friday 10/22 8PM
Tri Cities WEMT Friday 10/22


There is also a long 'explanation' as to what they are and are not doing. hahaha.

Forgot to mention - Oct. 22 is the ONE night NO BASEBALL will be on.


http://sbgweb2.sbgnet.com/press/release_20041019_87.shtml

[tom_paine]

81. In other words: The Usual Bushevik Ploy: Lie and just do the same thing

under a different name.

But at least they moved the date of their Uber Pravda back, I believe.

[Algomas]

82. In response to the weasels at General Mills...

>>>>>>>
Subject: Re: General Mills' Position Regarding Sinclair Broadcast Group
Date: October 20, 2004 12:17:26 AM MST
To: [e-mail]

It's fascinating to see the selective patriotism expressed in your reply. The American media is pathetically weak but Sinclair Broadcasting is so obviously partisan it stands out. They (and Fox) are run by extremists. The VP of Sinclair is ex CIA! If you think the media is peachy now, just wait till its completely in the grip of fascist corporatism. It will be "All advertising, all the time." Welcome to the one party democracy....
If any of you at General Mills really consider yourselves proud and free Americans, I urge you to take a look at our constitution. We all, as citizens, have a responsibility to uphold it. Should we feel proud to live in a country which is hated and feared round the world.? A world that is under terrorist attack from giant corporations extracting its resources and labor. An America whose democracy may all too soon resemble Argentina or Chile?
The forces behind Sinclair may steal all the money in the world but it will never comfort them. This consumption machine of American greed run amok is shameful. Why can't they realize that to be in total control of the world is to kill the world. Instead of devoting our unprecedented wealth and power to global tyranny we must use it to heal the wounds we have caused others. It is the right thing to do. As a nation, we can do better.
I hope you reconsider your decision regarding Sinclair. Our country depends on it!
Best wishes for better days ahead,
Al Gomas
>>>>>>>>>>>>>

On Oct 19, 2004, at 1:56 PM, Consumer Services-Help wrote:

Thank you for contacting General Mills.

Many consumers have written to share their views on this issue.  Some have   urged General Mills to use its influence as an advertiser to ensure that the media reports the news in an unbiased manner. Some have urged General Mills to continue advertising, and have threatened to withdraw support for our products if we alter our advertising plans.  Passions run deep on both sides, particularly this close to an election.   

Whenever possible, General Mills does strive to preview the programs on which our advertising appears.  We do so to assure that we do not advertise on programs inconsistent with the family-oriented nature of our products. This works well with entertainment programs produced and available for advance screening, but pre-screening of news broadcasts is usually not possible.

Our view in this area is clear.   We believe one of the fundamental elements of our society is the freedom of the press.  Companies such as ours, in our view, should not attempt to influence, control or pre-empt the content of news through the leverage of advertising sponsorship. To do so would undermine that fundamental freedom.

From time to time, any one of us as viewers may consider a particular news story to be inaccurate or imbalanced.  News organizations do err.  Judgment is not always well applied.  One major news organization recently acknowledged that errors were made in stories relating to the current presidential election.  When such errors occur, certainly a price is paid in terms of reputation.  But errors and questionable judgment are an acceptable price to pay, in our view, to assure the presence of a free and independent media in our society. 

As viewers, each of us is free to make a choice.  We can choose to patronize or not patronize programs with our viewership.  We can choose to patronize or not patronize particular television stations, or even entire networks. 

Similarly, advertisers may choose not to sponsor certain broadcasts, a particular network or specific publications because of their journalistic standards and judgment. But advertisers should not attempt to control or pre-empt news programming prior to broadcast or publication. That, in our view, would be inappropriate.

In this instance, as in the example cited earlier, passionate voices are calling on advertisers to insert themselves into the election by threatening to boycott those who remove or who do not remove their advertising.

We choose to stand with freedom of the press.

We welcome the views that you and others have shared with us.  You may rest assured that we will remind the networks we sponsor that the integrity of their reporting reflects on the companies that advertise during their broadcasts.

Hopefully, you will understand our views – and the importance we place on a free press.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact us and share your views.

Sincerely,



                                    General Mills

[Moderator]

83. Kick

:kick:

[wicket]

84. How about a:

:kick:

[struggle4progress]

87. Contrary to numerous inaccurate political and press accounts, ...

... the Sinclair stations will not be airing the documentary "Stolen Honor" in its entirety. At no time did Sinclair ever publicly announce that it intended to do so. <snip>

Horseshit. The weekly channel guide in my hometown newspaper listed "Stolen Honor" as the Thursday offering, and this was repeated again in the daily TV listing in Thursday's paper, although the station finally showed "Charmed" instead. The daily TV listing in Friday's paper then listed "Stolen Honor" for 8P Friday. The paper, of course, gets its info from the stations.

[GinaMaria]

88. So what were their numbers tonight?

Anyone know the number of viewers who tuned in to their horse$%@* tonight?