Sinclair employee decries planned program on Kerry

[tishaLA]

The Washington bureau chief for Maryland-based Sinclair Broadcast Group's news division angrily denounced his employer last night for plans to air an hourlong program that is to include incendiary allegations against Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry for his anti-war activism three decades ago. "It's biased political propaganda, with clear intentions to sway this election," said Jon Leiberman, Sinclair's lead political reporter for more than a year. "For me, it's not about right or left -- it's about what's right or wrong in news coverage this close to an election."

<...>
Leiberman spoke out yesterday after a mandatory staff meeting attended by Sinclair's corporate news division at company headquarters in Hunt Valley. "I have nothing to gain here -- and really, I have a lot to lose," Leiberman said. "At the end of the day, though, all you really have is your credibility."
<...>

Leiberman said he was anguished by his decision to speak out. But, he said, the influence of commentator Mark Hyman and Chief Executive David D. Smith has been devastating. "There is going to be a concerted effort on the part of my colleagues to make this as balanced a program as they can," Leiberman said. "But the selection of the material -- dumping it on the news department, and giving them four days, and running it this close to the election -- it's indefensible, in my opinion."

Leiberman said he told Sinclair's vice president for news, Joseph DeFeo, that he would not contribute to the program and that DeFeo suggested the reporter could lose his job. DeFeo did not return messages seeking comment. <...> Baltimore Sun

[Spirochete]

1. Well, it's good to see

one Lieberman will stick up for Kerry, anyway.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

2. It's going to hard for Sinclair to exist with John Kerry's FCC!!!

[Bluzmann57]

3. Way to go Mr. Leiberman!

The disgust against Sinclair is growing by the day. I hope that if Mr. Leiberman loses his job, he gets another one soon after with CBS or somebody like that and then he blows the lid off of Sinclair.

[acmavm]

4. Poor guy, he's gonna join so many of us in the unemployment line.

And just because he has a conscience.

Well, all I can say is I salute you Mr. Lieberman.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

5. Mr. Lieberman

We need help over here. It doesn't pay squat, but it beats your forthcoming unemployment. Way to show spine, sir!

[peacetalksforall]

6. So make that JON Leiberman = friend. of reason. Now, when it comes to

Joe Leiberman = we have a person who seems to delight in the way he leans to the right.

Jon L. Joe L.

[merh]

7. Bravo Mr. Jon Leiberman, bravo!

Thank you for standing up for what is right!

I salute you :hi: you are a man of courage and conscience!

[cali]

8. Bravo

Mr. Lieberman, and thanks.

[MSgt213]

9. Can we write letters to future employers if he does get fired? Anyone

know how to contact him. I would be willing to write letter saying I would watch, listen or read the guy's work no matter what his point of view because he has integrity and that should be rewarded.

[Kimber Scott]

10. He'll get another job in a minute. He's obviously a professional. Thank

you and your credibility Mr. Leiberman! You stand, a shining example of integrity, hopefully, many will follow.

[annabanana]

11. Wherever this guy lands, he will be bringing a sizable audience

with him. Anyone got his email address?

[wishlist]

12. The film must be really vicious- Leiberman's very conservative I think

I have noticed on several occasions on my Sinclair station that this guy's news summaries seem to have a slant generally positive to Bush and soft pedaling any news negative to Bush, so this is extraordinary for him to condemn the film so openly and refuse to be a part of the program.

[tishaLA]

13. It might be his Sinclair pose

He might jsut have to do it to keep his job.