Anti-Kerry Film Producer Accused of Libel

[FrenchieCat]

Please rate this up!

Maybe this guy can get an injunction against the broadcast, since
he's charging personal libel. Any lawyers here willing to give some
odds?

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Anti-Kerry Film Producer Accused of Libel
Mon Oct 18,11:18 AM ET
By DAVID B. CARUSO, Associated Press Writer

PHILADELPHIA - A Vietnam veteran shown in a documentary criticizing
Sen. John Kerry's anti-war activities filed a libel lawsuit against
the movie's producer Monday, saying the film falsely calls the
veteran a fraud and a liar.

Kenneth J. Campbell, now a professor at the University of Delaware,
said in the suit that "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal"
combines footage of him appearing at a 1971 war protest with
narration that claims that many of the supposed veterans who took
part in the event were later "discovered as frauds" who "never set
foot on the battlefield, or left the comfort of the States, or even
served in uniform."

The suit said viewers would be left with the perception that
Campbell had lied about his military service.

Campbell attached copies of his military records to the lawsuit,
showing that he received a Purple Heart and eight other medals,
ribbons and decorations for his service in Vietnam.

Film producer Carlton Sherwood's company, Red White and Blue
Productions, did not immediately return a call on Monday seeking
comment.

Campbell also threatened legal action against the Sinclair Broadcast
Group, an owner of 62 television stations that has announced that it
intends to pre-empt regular programming to broadcast "Stolen Honor."

The film explores Kerry's 1971 testimony before the Senate and links
him to anti-war activist and actress Jane Fonda. Vietnam prisoners
of war claim in the film that his testimony demeaned them and led to
prisoners being held longer.

The Democratic National Committee filed a complaint with the Federal
Election Commission contending that airing the film should be
considered an illegal in-kind contribution to the Bush campaign.
Kerry's presidential campaign asked that each station carrying the
program provide a similar amount of time to Kerry supporters.

Sinclair has contended that the program is news and has invited
Kerry to appear on a post-broadcast program. Kerry has declined.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?
tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041018/ap_on_el_pr/kerry_film

http://tinyurl.com/3tq9f