My letter to local TV editor re Sinclair and Milwaukee

[elfin]

and his response.

Dear Mr. Cuprisin,

I am a regular reader, but I cannot remember if you have addressed the
topic of local TV affiliates being directed by their owners to change
their scheduled programming to suit their owners - in particular the
recent stories that Sinclair Broadcasting is going to make local
stations owned by them preempt programming in the last week before the
election to air a negative show about Kerry.

I find this appalling and wonder if this is allowed by the FCC etc. and
what a local station can do to avoid being used (by either side) for
such shenanigans.

I understand that Sinclair owns both WB and UPN in Milwaukee. Before I
start badgering them about this, I thought maybe you would have more
information on the topic.

Thank you,
Response -

It's an issue I'm following. At this point, as sleazy as it sounds, I'm thinking they'll be within FCC guidelines by making some offer to allow some Kerry response in a way he's likely to decline.

[bryant69]

1. They can probably pull it off

It also depends on whether the movie explicitely says he shouldn't be elected, or if it just tears him down. It's pretty sleazy though.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[shoelace414]

2. I read it's "labeled" a news story

no response needed

[Warpy]

3. Remember this when the station licenses are up for review

Lodge a formal complaint with the FCC. Telling only one twisted, partisan, and probabaly slanderous side of a story right before an election is not serving the public interest. Airing this stuff and offering a 5 minute defense by the candidate is not balance.

These are our airwaves. We can and should protest the misuse of them.

[hlthe2b]

5. Let the shareholders know if you live in a local SInclaire coverage area

that you intend to do everything possible to ensure the FCC does not renew their license if this proceeds.

[randr]

4. Kerry needs to take a page from the repug book

and demand equal time. He must then use that time to smear the messenger. Paint the producers and others as still suffering post-traumatic syndrome. Paint Sinclair as an unAmerican billionaire who acts as if he lives back in the USSR.
It has always worked for Rove and gang to smear the messenger and Kerry needs to jump out front so most of the coverage centers on the integrity of the program and its producers.