Sinclair's programming plan, communicated to executives in recent days and coming in the thick of a close and intense presidential race, is highly unusual even in a political season that has been marked by media controversies.
Sinclair has told its stations -- many of them in political swing states such as Ohio and Florida -- to air "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal," sources said. The film, funded by Pennsylvania veterans and produced by a veteran and former Washington Times reporter, features former POWs accusing Kerry -- a decorated Navy veteran turned war protester -- of worsening their ordeal by prolonging the war. Sinclair will preempt regular prime-time programming from the networks to show the film, which may be classified as news programming, according to TV executives familiar with the plan.
Executives at Sinclair did not return calls seeking comment, but the Kerry campaign accused the company of pressuring its stations to influence the political process.
"It's not the American way for powerful corporations to strong-arm local broadcasters to air lies promoting a political agenda," said David Wade, a spokesman for the Democratic nominee's campaign. "It's beyond yellow journalism; it's a smear bankrolled by Republican money, and I don't think Americans will stand for it."
Sinclair stations are spread throughout the country, in major markets that include Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Las Vegas; its only California station is in Sacramento. Fourteen of the 62 stations the company either owns or programs are in the key political swing states of Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where the presidential election is being closely fought.
Station and network sources said they have been told the Sinclair stations -- which include affiliates of Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, as well as WB and UPN -- will be preempting regular programming for one hour between Oct. 21 and Oct. 24, depending on the city. The airing of "Stolen Honor" will be followed by a panel discussion, which Kerry will be asked to join, thus potentially satisfying fairness regulations, the sources said.
Sinclair was the same organization that, in late April, ordered its eight ABC affiliates to pull the Nightline broadcast when Ted Koppel solemly read the names of all American soldiers killed in Iraq. It has close ties to the Bush administration, and was instrumental in the recent decision by the administration to deregulate the FCC. It has donated over $200,000 to the RNC.
Here is a complete list of all Sinclair television stations. If you live in one of those media markets, contact the station immediately to tell them that not only will you never watch their channel again if they air this ad, but that you will lead a loud and organized group of locals to hold protests, and encourage others to boycott.
Two sites have already been created to help organize this protest, both against Sinclair affiliates and against Sinclair advertisers. Please visit and bookmark them both:
Boycott Sinclair Advertisers
Stop Sinclair is purchased, and under construction.
We only have two weeks to stop this corporation from trying to steal the election. Act now.
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