"Media chiefs back Kerry campaign" Guardian Feb 10, 2004

[batman]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/story/0%2C13918%2C1144797%2C00.html

"Unsurprisingly, the donation from News Corp's boardroom came not from chairman Rupert Murdoch, a committed Republican, but from the company's chief operating officer, Peter Chernin.

Mr Chernin, one of Mr Murdoch's most trusted lieutenants, is among several media chiefs who have pledged to raise between $50,000 and $100,000 to support the Vietnam war veteran's campaign for the White House.

Others who have pledged to raise more than $50,000 include the Viacom chief executive, Sumner Redstone, and Sony chairman Howard Stringer, whose name has recently been linked with the vacant chairmanships at ITV and the BBC.

US political commentators have speculated that Mr Kerry has enjoyed the support of the media community in an effort to head off the challenge of Howard Dean, who has fallen back in the race despite being the frontrunner before the primaries began. Mr Dean made statements last year about wanting to break up media conglomerates."

Sorry if you have already seen this.

[mzmolly]

1. I haven't seen this. Thanks.

It's all become far to clear hasn't it?

This part says it all...

"US political commentators have speculated that Mr Kerry has enjoyed the support of the media community in an effort to head off the challenge of Howard Dean, who has fallen back in the race despite being the frontrunner before the primaries began. Mr Dean made statements last year about wanting to break up media conglomerates."

The puzzle is fitting together.

[Tinoire]

2. URRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

no comment even possible.

[bicentennial_baby]

3. No words necessary for this one

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[stickdog]

4. 2 + 2 = We report. You Decide (nt)

[SadEagle]

5. Ahh, such media independence...

... such integrity. Such avoidance of conflicts of interest...

[Algorem]

6. Is this not a huge story?

[Algorem]

7. Gee,might be why I keep hearing over and over again today on CBS(Vi-

acom) the poll that says Kerry would beat Bush("electable,electable,electable...submit,pee-ons,submit...")

[BuelahWitch]

8. Yep, I think so n/t

[janx]

9. There's some kind of law--or is there?--about people in the

media not expressing their political preferences or participating in political activity, isn't there?

This is probably a bit unrelated to the subject, but I know someone who works at a radio station in Oregon who wanted to go to Dean rallies but could not.

[NashVegas]

10. It's Not a Law

But it's considered highly unprofessional, puts your credibility at stake. Some individual stations may have it in their company policy, however ..

One thing I can thank Rush et al for, I guess. If they can be so vocally partisan, there's no reason for the "professionals" to hold back any longer, while their station owners contribute to the candidate of their choice and attend fund-raisers.