Damn that Liberal Media...

[jesse_ewiak 0]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/na...eadlines-nation

 

It's bad enough that Sinclair is ordering its stations to run an anti-Kerry movie produced by a Moonie Moonie apologist, but what's really bad is the "liberal media" will be quiet about it. Imagine if, say, an owner of a bunch of NBC affiliates ordered them to run "Going Upriver" or "Fahrenheit 9/11" the night before the election. A media shitstorm of epic proportions would erupt. Aside from the screeching right wingers, Howard Kurtz would write endless columns about it. They'd trot out hundreds of employees who were outraged by the decision (under cloak of anonymity if necessary) to condemn the horrible liberal bias of their affiliate owner. There would be talk of nothing else on the cable nets all the time. WE'd hear demands for "equal time" or other such nonsense. We'd hear screeching about biasbiasbiasbiasbiasbiasbiasbiasbiasbiasbiasbiasbiasbias until the election.

 

NEW YORK — The conservative-leaning Sinclair Broadcast Group, whose television outlets reach nearly a quarter of the nation's homes with TV, is ordering its stations to preempt regular programming just days before the Nov. 2 election to air a film that attacks Sen. John F. Kerry's activism against the Vietnam War, network and station executives familiar with the plan said Friday.

 

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.

 

....

 

Cable, however, doesn't have the reach of broadcast stations like Sinclair's, nor is it subject to the same federal regulations. Still, although broadcast stations are required to provide equal time to major candidates in an election campaign, the Sinclair move may not run afoul of those provisions if Kerry or a representative is offered time to respond. Moreover, several sources said Sinclair had told them it planned to classify the program as news, where the rules don't apply.

 

Calling it news, however, poses its own problems, said Keith Woods, dean of the faculty at the Poynter Institute, a journalism school in St. Petersburg, Fla., that teaches professional ethics. "To air a documentary intended to provide a one-sided view of Kerry's record and call it news — it's like calling Michael Moore's movie news," he said, adding that the closer to an election that a controversial news report is aired, the "higher the bar has to go" in terms of fairness.

 

Clearly, Sinclair's reach will bring a much wider audience to the film. The 42-minute film has only been available on DVD or for $4.99 through an Internet download, although fans had been mounting an Internet campaign to get it wider exposure.

 

"Stolen Honor" was made by Carlton Sherwood, a Vietnam veteran and former reporter for the conservative Washington Times who is also the author of a book about the Rev. Sun Myung Moon. On the website for the film, he tells viewers, "Intended or not, Lt. Kerry painted a depraved portrait of Vietnam veterans, literally creating the images of those who served in combat as deranged drug-addicted psychopaths, baby killers" that endured for 30 years in the popular culture.

 

Sherwood did not return calls seeking comment.

[Hogan Made Wrestling 0]

Anyone think this could totally backfire when people get pissed that their favorite prime-time program has been pre-empted to show this nonsense?

[Guest CronoT]

I posted a link to this thread in Mike's newest "OMG!! LIBERAL MDEIA BIAS!!!!" thread. Hopefully, it will shut down his annoyance generator for a while.

[Guest BDC]

I saw today on the ticker on CNN talk about how Moore is trying to get F9/11 aired on the evening of Nov 1.

[Guest CronoT]

I saw today on the ticker on CNN talk about how Moore is trying to get F9/11 aired on the evening of Nov 1.

It'll probably end up on CBS if it does.

[Guest MikeSC]

Man, that's almost as bad as using blatantly faked memos and then attacking your critics for mentioning it.

 

Or having the head of your news division's political team mentioning that they don't need to cover "lies" evenly.

 

Right?

-=Mike

[Guest CronoT]

Man, that's almost as bad as using blatantly faked memos and then attacking your critics for mentioning it.

 

Or having the head of your news division's political team mentioning that they don't need to cover "lies" evenly.

 

Right?

-=Mike

Tit for tat, Mikey boy.

[Guest MikeSC]

Man, that's almost as bad as using blatantly faked memos and then attacking your critics for mentioning it.

 

Or having the head of your news division's political team mentioning that they don't need to cover "lies" evenly.

 

Right?

        -=Mike

Tit for tat, Mikey boy.

Airing a propaganda movie is the same as blatantly twisting a "legitimate news story"? Wow.

-=Mike

[Guest CronoT]

Man, that's almost as bad as using blatantly faked memos and then attacking your critics for mentioning it.

 

Or having the head of your news division's political team mentioning that they don't need to cover "lies" evenly.

 

Right?

        -=Mike

Tit for tat, Mikey boy.

Airing a propaganda movie is the same as blatantly twisting a "legitimate news story"? Wow.

-=Mike

First, I completely doubt that anything and everything from Drudge is legitimate. Second, this election is going to go down as one of the dirtiest in history, so there are times when you have no choice but to fight fire with fire, or fight dirt with dirt. There is no one truly innocent in this election; but, the important question to answer is, who made it that way?

[Guest MikeSC]

First, I completely doubt that anything and everything from Drudge is legitimate.

Well, in a real shocker, the media doesn't care to look themselves. Guess the internet, yet again, will have to carry the water.

Second, this election is going to go down as one of the dirtiest in history, so there are times when you have no choice but to fight fire with fire, or fight dirt with dirt.

Except, of course, the media is SUPPOSED to be impartial --- oh, and McCain/Feingold gave them a ton of power.

 

But, since you admit that the press ISN'T impartial, I suppose that is a solid first step.

There is no one truly innocent in this election; but, the important question to answer is, who made it that way?

Well, you didn't have the right peddling rumors about 9/11...

-=Mike

...Or false stories about voter intimidation in 2000...

[Guest CronoT]

First, I completely doubt that anything and everything from Drudge is legitimate.

Well, in a real shocker, the media doesn't care to look themselves. Guess the internet, yet again, will have to carry the water.

Second, this election is going to go down as one of the dirtiest in history, so there are times when you have no choice but to fight fire with fire, or fight dirt with dirt.

Except, of course, the media is SUPPOSED to be impartial --- oh, and McCain/Feingold gave them a ton of power.

 

But, since you admit that the press ISN'T impartial, I suppose that is a solid first step.

There is no one truly innocent in this election; but, the important question to answer is, who made it that way?

Well, you didn't have the right peddling rumors about 9/11...

-=Mike

...Or false stories about voter intimidation in 2000...

Once again, Mike, you've managed to completely misinterpret what I said. When I said that part about fighting dirty, I meant the candidates, not the media.

 

Also, as we all know, the media is distorted further by it's owners. I seriously doubt we'll ever see a story on NBC Nightly News about how the gov't spends/squanders millions on missile defense, or military firepower; not as long as NBC is owned by GE, which is a major gov't contractor of weapons.

 

What you need to realize, Mike, is that there is no true Free Press anymore. They're all owned by large multi-national corporations that will distort the news services to further their own ends.

 

Fox News Channel is a perfect example. Do you think this channel will ever air a story that will show Rupert Murdoch in a negative light? It would be career suicide if they did.

[Guest MikeSC]

Once again, Mike, you've managed to completely misinterpret what I said. When I said that part about fighting dirty, I meant the candidates, not the media.

I EXPECT Kerry to lie.

 

The press' behavior has been borderline criminal.

Also, as we all know, the media is distorted further by it's owners. I seriously doubt we'll ever see a story on NBC Nightly News about how the gov't spends/squanders millions on missile defense, or military firepower; not as long as NBC is owned by GE, which is a major gov't contractor of weapons.

But how can you defend CBS doing a story on the e-mail hoax about the draft? There are stories in the press that make absolutely NO sense whatsoever.

What you need to realize, Mike, is that there is no true Free Press anymore. They're all owned by large multi-national corporations that will distort the news services to further their own ends.

Except that their lies are so blatant and they are so incapable of admitting when their stories are crap.

 

I'll go ahead and say it: Jayson Blair was not that different than a ton of "reporters" active today.

Fox News Channel is a perfect example. Do you think this channel will ever air a story that will show Rupert Murdoch in a negative light? It would be career suicide if they did.

You have a much better chance of that than you have of NBC or ABC seriously investigate the memo problem at CBS.

 

And, if you think about it, that's a much bigger problem.

-=Mike

[Guest CronoT]

Once again, Mike, you've managed to completely misinterpret what I said. When I said that part about fighting dirty, I meant the candidates, not the media.

I EXPECT Kerry to lie.

 

The press' behavior has been borderline criminal.

Also, as we all know, the media is distorted further by it's owners. I seriously doubt we'll ever see a story on NBC Nightly News about how the gov't spends/squanders millions on missile defense, or military firepower; not as long as NBC is owned by GE, which is a major gov't contractor of weapons.

But how can you defend CBS doing a story on the e-mail hoax about the draft? There are stories in the press that make absolutely NO sense whatsoever.

What you need to realize, Mike, is that there is no true Free Press anymore. They're all owned by large multi-national corporations that will distort the news services to further their own ends.

Except that their lies are so blatant and they are so incapable of admitting when their stories are crap.

 

I'll go ahead and say it: Jayson Blair was not that different than a ton of "reporters" active today.

Fox News Channel is a perfect example. Do you think this channel will ever air a story that will show Rupert Murdoch in a negative light? It would be career suicide if they did.

You have a much better chance of that than you have of NBC or ABC seriously investigate the memo problem at CBS.

 

And, if you think about it, that's a much bigger problem.

-=Mike

I expect Bush to be a moron. Anyone surprised when he does that so well?

 

The possibility of the draft being reinstated was a legitimate news story. I've never heard about some e-mail "hoax."

 

Show me an honest Executive Board member, and I'll show you an honest major news network executive. Enron, anyone?

 

Why would NBC or ABC have a news story about the failures of CBS's Lead Anchor? Ever hear of slander? It's a nice little thing you can be taken to court for.

[Guest MikeSC]

The possibility of the draft being reinstated was a legitimate news story. I've never heard about some e-mail "hoax."

How in the hell was it a "legitimate news story" when EVERYBODY happily goes on record saying that a draft IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

 

Why no mention that the ONLY people submitting bills for a draft were DEMOCRATS?

 

It's as legitimate a news story as doing a long news piece on whether the moon landing was faked.

 

The ENTIRE story was rought up because there have been NUMEROUS stories of college kids getting e-mails claiming Bush wants to reinstitute a draft, when even the most cursory of reviews indicate that these claims are bullshit (they were thoroughly debunked LONG before CBS even touched the story).

Show me an honest Executive Board member, and I'll show you an honest major news network executive. Enron, anyone?

Enron's people are getting prison sentences for their violation of the public's trust.

 

What do network execs get?

Why would NBC or ABC have a news story about the failures of CBS's Lead Anchor? Ever hear of slander? It's a nice little thing you can be taken to court for.

Not slander if THE STORY IS TRUE.

 

Like it or not, the memos WERE faked and CBS was warned IN ADVANCE of the problems.

 

They ran with the story.

 

Why an investigation of CBS by its rivals has yet to happen is a bit disconcerting.

 

It seems odd that slander is, in your eyes, a legitimate problem in investigating Rather --- but investigating, oh, the tobacco companies, slander ISN'T a problem.

 

However, I did like one radio host's response to Peter Jennings' "You shouldn't just a man by one incident in his career" --- so, I suppose Watergate references when discussing Nixon were mean and cruel, eh?

-=Mike

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

This is a reprehensible attempt at abusing power. That's pretty much the bottom line.

[Guest MikeSC]

This is a reprehensible attempt at abusing power. That's pretty much the bottom line.

Yes, Sinclair, quite honestly, should have its broadcasting license revoked.

 

HOWEVER, this hardly excuses the overwhelming bias of the media and THEY need to be held accountable as well.

-=Mike

[CheesalaIsGood 0]

"The media is only as liberal as the conservative white men who own it."

 

 

 

 

Plus, they are there to ONLY serve advertisers. Rating folks! It's what its all about. All of it. It's sad when the news is no longer there as a public service, instead competing for ad revenues. Just like everything else, those involved in the news have sold out.

[Guest GreatOne]

But I kind of did like Crono's little 'fight fire with fire' quip.

 

As if Terry McAuliffe was just sitting over here writing THE JOHN KERRY PLAN!~ when those evil Repubs came and defamed him...................

[CheesalaIsGood 0]

Enron's people are getting prison sentences for their violation of the public's trust.

 

What do network execs get?

Are the network execs shareholders? Just a bunch of rich fucks screwing over other rich fucks. Let them all rot.

[AndrewTS 0]

"The media is only as liberal as the conservative white men who own it."

Wisdom from a bumper sticker on the back of a pot-smoking hippie's car.

[Guest Cerebus]

You're all dumbasses.

 

The media is biased towards one thing. Money.

 

If it's vogue, simple, and will sell they'll sell it. There's the bias.

[Guest CronoT]

"The media is only as liberal as the conservative white men who own it."

Wisdom from a bumper sticker on the back of a pot-smoking hippie's car.

Uh-oh; you said hippie. Now KKK will come in here with his hippie-detecting attack dogs.

[AndrewTS 0]

"The media is only as liberal as the conservative white men who own it."

Wisdom from a bumper sticker on the back of a pot-smoking hippie's car.

Uh-oh; you said hippie. Now KKK will come in here with his hippie-detecting attack dogs.

I meant that in the most literal sense. At my campus--I saw a broken down, rusted piece of crap with a ton of bumper stickers slapped on it including that one. Out of it stepped a scraggy, scrawny, messy-haired-and-bearded stereotype come alive that smelled like he lives in a hemp patch. There were crinkled up bags of FunYuns and Hostess cakes on the floor of the guy's back seat.

[Guest CronoT]

"The media is only as liberal as the conservative white men who own it."

Wisdom from a bumper sticker on the back of a pot-smoking hippie's car.

Uh-oh; you said hippie. Now KKK will come in here with his hippie-detecting attack dogs.

I meant that in the most literal sense. At my campus--I saw a broken down, rusted piece of crap with a ton of bumper stickers slapped on it including that one. Out of it stepped a scraggy, scrawny, messy-haired-and-bearded stereotype come alive that smelled like he lives in a hemp patch. There were crinkled up bags of FunYuns and Hostess cakes on the floor of the guy's back seat.

Well, it seems some stereotypes are true. Did he look like Comic Collector Guy from The Simpsons? Because if he did, that would just be too funny.

 

Speaking of which, this reminds me of the Simpsons episode where CC Guy took his car to the car wash, told the service attendant not to remove the bumper stickers, and the attendant said "No hablo ingles" after CC Guy left. Funny, and, sadly, true.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

"The media is only as liberal as the conservative white men who own it."

Wisdom from a bumper sticker on the back of a pot-smoking hippie's car.

Uh-oh; you said hippie. Now KKK will come in here with his hippie-detecting attack dogs.

Uh, sic 'em Rant...

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Oh, I guess I might as well respond to jesse's topic, since he is a liberal that brings the content, imo.

 

In the Pittsburgh area, the Infinity network forced all their news/talk stations to run these fucking retarded Bill Clinton excerpts from his book, and made them all air a special that featured a powder-puff interview with Bill and hand-selected callers. I don't have a link to this, but seeing how I heard about this for weeks at KDKA, which is an Infinity-owned station, I think we can abide by the honor code here...

[Guest MikeSC]

You're all dumbasses.

 

The media is biased towards one thing. Money.

 

If it's vogue, simple, and will sell they'll sell it. There's the bias.

I actually disagree.

 

The networks have seen their audiences plummet and are completely and thoroughly unconcerned about change.

 

I'm not convinced that money is their top priority.

-=Mike

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

Mike, you could make a good Vince McMahon/WWE comparison with the media.

 

Just saying

[Guest MikeSC]

Mike, you could make a good Vince McMahon/WWE comparison with the media.

 

Just saying

Which is a sad condemnation.

-=Mike

[Guest CronoT]

Mike, you could make a good Vince McMahon/WWE comparison with the media.

 

Just saying

Which is a sad condemnation.

-=Mike

But completely honest.