Sinclair to air anti-kerry show days before election, page 1

Truly Shocking.

Sinclair Broadcasting plans to air an anti-Kerry show just days before the election. Well, why don't I let the article speak for itself?

The latest for OhioStop Sinclair Broadcasting!
10.12.04 Derik Hertel
COLUMBUS-- Sinclair Broadcasting is at it again. As you may have heard on the news, Sinclair is forcing its local TV affiliates to air an anti-Kerry �documentary� called �Stolen Honor.� It�s an obvious attempt to influence the election and is nothing more than an illegal campaign contribution. In fact the Electioneering Restrictions and Disclosure Under The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA), states: "funds from corporations (whether nonprofit or for-profit entities) and unions may not be used to pay for 'electioneering communications', which are broadcast, cable, or satellite communications that:

- refer to a clearly identified Federal candidate;

- are broadcast within 60 days before the general election of the candidate or within 30 days before the party primary, convention, or caucus that nominates the candidate;

- are targeted to the "relevant electorate," i.e., over 50,000 persons in the State or district that the candidate seeks to represent.

Exemptions are provided for news stories, commentaries, editorials, and candidate debates and forums. BCRA gives the FEC authority to make additional exemptions, so long as they do not promote, support, attack, or oppose a Federal candidate."

You may remember that Sinclair was the company that would not allow its local stations to air the episode of ABC�s �Nightline� on which the names of all the soldiers who had died in Iraq were read aloud. The company�s top executives are all major Bush supporters and have given hundreds of thousands of dollars to right-wing candidates and almost none to Democrats. Locally, Sinclair owns WSYX. You may have seen their political commentary �The Point w/Mark Hyman� during their evening news programs. The views expressed in these commentaries are very biased and usually distort the truth. Mr. Hyman has just been admonished by the Anti-Defamation League for some comments he recently made in a statement to the press.

So, what can we do to stop this obvious attempt to illegally influence the election? We�re going to take on Sinclair right here in Columbus. We�re going to hit them where it hurts. We�re going to go after their advertisers. We need everyone to call Sinclair�s advertisers and tell them to pull their advertising from WSYX or we will boycott their businesses. Remind them that Ch. 4 and 10 will be more than happy to take their advertising money.

Here are some Web sites that you can use to find a list of local and national Sinclair advertisers and other related resources:

stopsinclair.org This is a resourceful site - lists their advertisers by market, their shareholders, corp. contacts, licenses, and affiliates.

boycottsbg.com -- Link to the Columbus market advertisers. Note the need to be respectful - but direct - with advertisers.

boycottsinclair.blogspot.com Lists major investors in Sinclair stock. This is another way to pressure Sinclair by going after investors.

Also, www.democracyforohio.com...

I just cannot believe they would stoop so such a wolf tactic. It's official- both parties have completely lost my respect.