It's Official: Sinclair to air Anti-Kerry film in PT, no commercials

[friesianrider]

http://money.cnn.com/2004/10/11/news/newsmakers/sinclair_kerry/index.htm?cnn=yes

Anti-Kerry film to air in prime-time
Nation's largest TV chain orders all 62 stations to show movie without commercials next week.
October 11, 2004: 12:40 PM EDT

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Sinclair Broadcast Group, owner of the largest chain of television stations in the nation, plans to air a documentary that accuses Sen. John Kerry of betraying American prisoners during the Vietnam War, a newspaper reported Monday.

The network has ordered all 62 of its stations to air "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal" without commercials in prime-time next week, the Washington Post said, just two weeks before the Nov. 2 election.

Sinclair's television group, which includes affiliates of all the major networks, reaches nearly a quarter of all U.S. television households, according to the company's Web site. But the affiliates owned by the major television networks reach a larger percentage of U.S. homes because they are in the largest markets.

A dozen of Sinclair's stations are in the critical swing states of Ohio, Florida, Iowa and Wisconsin.

-snip-

We need to organize something about this NOW.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[raysr]

84. What about satellite TV?

Does Dish or Direct TV carry any of these stations? Because if they do they'll be going out to states everywhere!

[Zhade]

110. Not quite.

I work for DirecTV, and our local channels don't work that way. Only the cities that the stations serve can see those channels.

For example, Portland, OR cannot see Sacremento, CA and vice versa.

[KurtNYC]

2. The whole thing is a commercial

but I know what you mean.

It should count as a campaign contribution to Bush by Sinclair.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

11. This simply can't be legal...

Fairness Doctrine or not, it's the equivalent of an enormous in-kind campaign contribution. I keep wondering when the DNC is going to go for an injunction -- but possibly they're thinking that fighting in the courts would create a bigger issue.

[Sinnerman]

83. This is nothing but a Carl Rove October Surprize

This is not legal and should be banned

[joeunderdog]

111. VOTE nay on CNN

It's being Freeped (supposedly) but heavily against
http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/paula.zahn.now/

[never cry wolf]

3. Wouldn't commercial free = corporate campaign contribution?..n/t

[Inland]

23. You would think, wouldn't you? After all, BUYING three hours of air time

would certainly be.

[donkeyotay]

99. Yes, I think this is a violation of the campaign laws

Three members of the Smith family own 40% of the company. They have already donated to the shrub's campaign. Clearly they are partisans, and clearly this gift to the campaign exceeds their legal limit.

Other Republican partisans are heavily invested in this company - James E. McKee and others under Mario J. Gabelli with undisclosed parteners. Furthermore, the company manages retirement funds worth $62.3 billion, so those employees are also being required to help Bush's re-election effort.

This has got to be illegal.

[mindfulNJ]

4. Well...this IS the October Surprise...

:mad:

Damn librul media!:puke:

[glitch]

19. I hope this is all they've got for Oct - because it will backfire on them

They had clips on Laura Flanders yesterday, they were so atrocious it was laughable. Only the most rapid bushbots will buy it.

Any swing voters or independents or even moderate bush supporters will be turned off.

[Mad_Dem_X]

30. That's what I'm thinking - BACKFIRE

People will see this for what it truly is: More desperate lies from BushCo. :mad:

[Democat]

101. Has anything ever "backfired" on Bush? Remember the Swift Liars?

Our side needs to stop thinking things are going to "backfire" - there is no evidence that anything, no matter how evil, will backfire on the right wing.

They control every branch of government after all the lies, scams, and dirty tricks they've pulled - if that's backfiring, we need some for our side.

[Amigust]

138. Rove says he has lots of them

eom

[progressivebydesign]

5. Mobilize... time to take it to their advertisers, friends.

Regardless of whether they run the ads on it or not, they need to be hit in the pocketbook over this. I'm glad that the head of Sinclair, the one arrested for "unnatural sex acts" with a prostitute, is all about Republican values.. Glad to see that he's continuing his good work.

Are we all realizing WHY the 60's was what it was? Our backlash against McCarthyism and the Vietnam War is bringing back the 60's with a venegance. I say.. BRING IT ON ASSHOLES! Don't fuck with our democracy!

[confuddled]

65. Who are the advertisers?

Can anyone living in places where Sinclair broadcasts provide the names of their national advertisers for those of us who do not live in one of Sinclair's broadcast areas?

[jaznme]

106. NATIONAL ADVERTISERS USED BY SINCLAIR (INCOMPLETE LISTING)

NATIONAL ADVERTISERS
AT&T wireless
www.monster.com
Pizza Hut
Enterprise Car Rentals
www.sears.com
www.tylenol.com
www.mitsucars.com
www.glade.com
www.freecreditreport.com
www.pringles.com
www.zatarain.com
www.oralb.com
www.dominos.com
www.duncanhines.com
www.lowes.com
www.olivegarden.com
www.levistrauss.com
www.pepcidcomplete.com
www.hotelchoice.com
www.swiffer.com
www.fisher-price.com
www.tridentgum.com
www.7up.com
www.wrangler.com
www.crest.com
www.pull-ups.com
www.revlon.com
www.minutemaid.com
www.whirlpool.com
www.moen.com
www.oilofolay.com
www.dell.com
www.tyson.com
www.bk.com (Burger King)
www.eharmony.com
www.rentacenter.com

[jaznme]

107. Listing of advertisers

I spent the afternoon watching my local Sinclair affiliate and recorded the above-mentioned advertisers today, 10/11.

[confuddled]

121. Thanks, jaznme,

for all your time and effort compiling this list. Much appreciated.
Hope it will be put to good use by many of us.

[BloodyWilliam]

127. Thank you.

I am currently emailing every company on that list that I can (some of them don't have readily available contact emails.

My letter:

Dear Sir or Madam:

As you might be aware of, the Sinclair Broadcast Group will pre-empt content on all of its stations two weeks before the November 2 elections to air an anti-John Kerry film called "Stolen Honor." Such an action is patently illegal according to federal campaign finance laws, and will be wholly unethical on the part of Sinclair. Since your company advertises on Sinclair stations, I will buy none of your products from this point forward, unless you withdraw your business from Sinclair. I hope you will be reasonable in abandoning this patently corrupt and dishonest broadcast company. I am aware of several thousand others who have expressed similar feelings regarding Sinclair's policies, and are following the same course of action as myself. I hope you will be reasonable.

[Guaranteed]

131. Nice, I'm just going down the list and sending each of them my

form telling them this:

I just wanted to tell you that I and my family will no longer be visiting your business due to the fact that you're advertising on stations owned by the Sinclair Broadcasting Group. SBGI has taken it upon themselves to run anti-John-Kerry propoganda in its primetime slots right before the election, and I, among many others that I know, refuse to patronize businesses that support this with their money.

[nomes]

133. California Protest of Sinclair, 10/21 in Sacramento!

Hello!

A protest is being held at the Sinclair station KOVR in Sacramento.

Location:

2713 KOVR Drive
West Sacramento, CA 95605
[phone]

Date and Time:

Thursday, October 21st, 12pm-3pm (or whenever we finish)


If you can make the drive, there will be refreshments, and we'll have a good time along with yelling ourselves hoarse. It will be a mostly student run event, but everyone is needed! Every body helps get the camera crews there! Speaking of the Media, letters and phone calls go out to them tomorrow informing local papers and stations of the event. Hope to see you there! And spread the word!

[CookieD]

6. Why doesn't Michael Moore air Fahrenheit 9/11 as counter-program?

He should just give it to any network to air for free, one time only, opposite the Sinclair broadcast.

I know that would be a great sacrifice for Michael but he obviously doesn't care about the $$$.

[Dogmudgeon]

9. Because he can't

He made the movie. Lion's Gate owns the film.

Last week, I believe they said, and I quote, "Fuck Michael Moore".

--bkl

[KC21304]

71. What does Michael Moore's F 9/11 have to do with Kerry ?

The smear is against Kerry, personally and the only antidote is to let Kerry read his 1971 testimony, all of it, not the snippets taken out of context the public has been seeing from the Swift liars.

If Sinclair offers to let Kerry do this I think he should take them up on it, but I doubt if they will. It would be awsome and prove once and for all what liars O'Neill and his Swiftbastards are.

[Steelangel]

7. we should take a action about that..

before it gets too late.

[Bragi]

8. Calling Michael Moore

Would Moore make F-9/11 available to Sinclair the following week, so Sinclair can run it and show balance?

- B

[OKNancy]

10. If Moore ran it on tv

that is not cable he could not win an Oscar. He might give up his Oscar hopes...it would be a big sacrifice.

Edit: "Going Upriver" would be much more effective anyway

[JusticeForAll]

13. If he doesn't run it on tv

Michael Moore's country will be sacrificed.

Something tells me you wanted this post to complete your thought.

[rfkrocks]

37. massive boycott needed

we need a list of all smith/sinclair holdings-boycott protest and make their product selling a living hell (legally of course)

[fleabert]

79. site

http://boycottsinclair.blogspot.com/

[rfkrocks]

96. Thanks!

:yourock:

[Carla in Ca]

136. I agree...who cares about an Oscar?

Michael Moore has already said he will show F911 on TV. He doesn't care about an Oscar; we are trying to save our country!

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

14. I think he's OK with that

I believe I read somewhere that he would be willing to give up a chance at a second Best Documentary Oscar in order to have the film aired. I believe its the distributor that won't allow it.

Besides, it's not like Sinclair is terribly interested in being balanced.

Perhaps the best thing to do is be ready to slam the makers of the movie and Sinclair as smear-merchants. Remind folks that the CEO of Sinclair is a known sex offender (more than one arrest for solicitation) and that it's really only natural that criminals like David Smith to migrate toward criminal like Bush and Cheney.

[OKNancy]

24. Moore

is not in the race for best documentary. He pulled out of that and hopes to win "Best Picture"...the big one.

As someone else posted, I don't think it is his decision to make anyway.

read this http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/gate/archive/2004/09/13/jnelson.DTL

explain a little better than I can ( and I may have it backwards anyway - lol)

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

35. I think you're correct...

For some reason, the "can't be played on television" rule only applies to Best Documentary and not to Best Picture. Perhaps it's the "Ken Burns Rule" to keep PBS from winning every year?

[Name removed]

82. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Amigust]

140. The problem is getting the same audience to hear

the retort.

[sleipnir]

17. I think Sinclair is trying to snooker Moore into losing his Oscar

They're trying to bait Moore into playing F/911 on air and thus losing Oscar eligibility.

[Bisonburger]

43. So let it run on PPV...

what stops us from creating a campaign of free PPV coupons for all - (i.e. we'll pay the fee for the bearer to watch F/911 on 01NOV) - mail them to all people in the Sinclair "target" areas - or better yet, use it as an opportunity to knock on doors and get the message out. Me, I'd be willing to kick in a few bucks for someone else to view F/911 - and I'm sure that Michael Moore would be willing to do the same...

[proud2BlibKansan]

115. He already announced

he would not submit F9/11 for Best Documentary so it could be shown on TV. But even if it is shown on TV, it is eligible for Best Picture.

Wouldn't that be sweet - F9/11 as BEST PICTURE???

[tokenlib]

47. If Michael could..he would...

It is out of his hands..sadly. Michael withdrew it for Best Documentary in the hopes of getting it on TV. Michael is NOT the problem...it is the corporate whores at Lions Gate.

[OKNancy]

12. I realize the FCC is not on our side

but surely this violates McCain-Feingold.

[Chiyo-chichi]

15. absolutely.

DNC needs to get an injunction.

[IndianaGreen]

16. Congress did away with the Fairness Doctrine years ago

which gave rise to RW radio, and that allows the owner of a broadcasting empire such as Sinclair and Clear Channel to push their ideology in their programming.

This is perhaps the most blatant attempt to manipulate public opinion that I have ever seen since Clear Channel had the "Support the Troops" prowar rallies last year.

[OKNancy]

22. I'm not talking about the Fairness Doctrine

but McCain -Feingold. I'm sure there are many Democratic lawyers working on this as we write.

[IndianaGreen]

27. McCain-Feingold did not cover broadcast owners

They can push their views in their programming without being held accountable.

[NeoConsSuck]

18. Get used to the new America..

Between Sinclair, Fox, and CNN polls, do you think this is a government by the people, for the people?

[NVMojo]

21. it will air on 62 stations says the NYT

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/11/politics/campaign/11film.html?adxnnl=1&oref=login&adxnnlx=1097513777-izY6Ff3mUq9vml+lAwlN3w

[Ohio rules]

117. not in my area, in fact, 74% of US housholds will NOT

see whatever is going to be shown.
?
This mauy only be a blant grab for ratings in Neilson households.

[KayLaw]

25. Yeah

By and for the people who like fascism; people who have been suckered into thinking they're " conservatives."

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

34. Sure i do...

The people are facist anyway..they are going to eat this stuff up...

[Ohio rules]

118. They are the dinosaurs of the old media

Main stream media must promise sponsers market share so they must appease the advertisers, not the public.

[Crunchy Frog]

20. How come I remember reading on here

a few months ago, that it would be illegal for TV to even run any commercials for Michael Moore's film during this period because it would violate some campaign law, and yet this is legal???????

Is there anyone here who remembers what I'm talking about? Do you know what the specific laws were that an F9/11 ad would be violating, but this apparently doesn't?

[Love Bug]

72. I remember that

I don't remember the details, but some RW whack-jobs were trying to get MM's F9/11 ads pulled because they were considered campaign advertising or something. Didn't make sense, and they didn't get anywhere with it.

I don't know if that would apply here.

[jgardner]

26. Here's a link to their station listings:

http://www.sbgi.net/business/television.shtml

I forwarded this article to everyone I know. Is there anything we can do?:shrug:

[fleabert]

39. boycott

Here in Sacramento, I contacted the Sinclair station, KVOR BTW, and they said it would air from 12-1 am, and if I wanted to discuss it further I would have to talk to Sinclair corporate (the number is 410.568.1500) to express my anger. I also asked for how to obtain a listing of advertisers, they referred me to Sinclair's legal counsel in Baltimore. I plan on watching and just writing down each advertiser. (and of course contacting them with my intent to boycott unless they pull their $$)

I have never done anything like this and if anyone has any suggestions on how to start an effective boycott, please let me know!

[medeak]

40. wow! and welcome to DU!

[fleabert]

50. thanks!

I have always been a wannabe activist, but as of now, I am active! I have a short list already from watching crappy tv...I will post if you think it is helpful...

[confuddled]

126. List of advertisers

Jaznme has posted a partial, but impressive, list of advertisers in post #107. You both have our gratitude for what you suffered through in order to compile your lists.

[mistertrickster]

60. Good job calling--12 to 1 AM!! Heh, that will get at least 22 viewers.

Sounds like the local station is following the letter of the home office but flouting its spirit.

Good for them.

[fleabert]

69. not enough for me!

yeah, but they were very quick to not want to talk to me after I got that one question answered. I hope that information is accurate, or better yet, they decide not to carry it at all.

[Maine-ah]

88. sinclair phn #

so (he,he) I just called the # listed for sinclair, and after about 30 rings, someone answered. I said, Hi, I need to file a complaint, and instantly I was sent to an answering maching, stating that this program has not yet been set to be aired (or something to that efect) and it is not scripted (?) that they asked John Kerry to participate, and so far he has declined, if you want to reach Kerry to try to get him to participate (ect.. ect..) here is the phone #. What I think is so funny, is that all I said was that I wanted to file a complaint, I didn't tell the woman what I was complaining about, and was sent directly to that message. after the message was over, it beeped, and I assumed I could leave a message, and I did so. Anyway, any one else call and get the same?

[fleabert]

91. yep

Sure did, same exact thing happened to me, something tells me they have a full mailbox

[Carla in Ca]

137. Wow, that's interesting. From 12 to 1am

That is hardly prime time. How did they arrive at the decision for that time slot? Do they have any recourse if they choose not to show it?

[silverpatronus]

48. that page is gone

404 error gone. methinks somebody pulled a fast one.

[silverpatronus]

49. ok, it's back now n/t

[MADem]

28. IT's OFFICIAL!!!! DNC HAS FILED COMPLAINT

...with the FEC. DIRECT ALL OF YOUR ANGER AND OUTRAGE AT THE FEC. Fuck Sinclair--we need to let those clowns who are the "stewards" of OUR AIRWAVES--not theirs, OURS--know how we feel.

[henslee]

32. Found this FEC contact #'s & e-address. Any better ones?

Federal Election Committee website: FEC.gov

tel: [phone] in Wash,DC 202-694-1100

email [email protected]

[Blogd]

36. There a source for that?

MADem: Where did you hear that? I'd like to add it to my blog, but I need a source first. Thanks!

[Maeve]

41. Here you go

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=37872

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

42. I saw it on "Daily Kos" this morning but don't know his source

http://www.dailykos.com/

DNC will file FEC complaint against Sinclair
by kos
Mon Oct 11th, 2004 at 17:28:14 GMT

The DNC will hold a conference call at 1:30 p.m. ET to announce an FEC complaint against Sinclair Broadcasting. More details as they become available.

[Pachamama]

29. I suggest an absolute boycott of any advertiser & all Sinclair affiliates.

I believe that we together with MoveOn and other organizations could garner atleast several million signatures and folks who can let the advertisers and Sinclair know that because of such actions they have lost us.

Meanwhile, I would love to see either F9/11 &/0r "Going Upriver" shown on one of the major networks....Lets all get into action and make this happen....

:kick:

[fleabert]

51. this lists some of Sinclair's subsidiaries

http://www.sbgi.net/business/ventures.shtml

[OKNancy]

31. Good article about FEC - relates to F9-11

Please read the whole article

In August, the Federal Election Commission rejected a complaint by a conservative group that "Fahrenheit 9/11" is political advertising. According to the FEC, the complaint alleged that corporate distributors of the film ran broadcast advertisements that contained images of Bush and other federal candidates, which would violate federal electioneering laws if they were aired after July 30, 2004.

The commission dismissed the complaint, stating that Lion's Gate, the film's distributor, did not plan to run any ads during the electioneering communications period. However, should Moore and Lion's Gate run ads for the DVD and home video on radio or television that mention Bush, the commission response to a new complaint could be entirely different.

This week, Moore announced that he was taking his documentary out of the running for the "Best Documentary" Oscar, intending to try to win the "Best Picture" award, instead. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' rule that prohibits films attempting to win "Best Documentary" award from playing on television within nine months of their theatrical release played a large part in his decision, according to Moore.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/gate/archive/2004/09/13/jnelson.DTL

[mistertrickster]

57. This article was informative, but it was also totally right-wing.

I e-mailed the author to see if she were going to write a scathing denunciation of Sinclair Broadcasting next.

Something tells me the answer will be "no."

[glitch]

67. no kidding! I anxiously await her column on sbg

she ends her column:
"They can have their red carpet, star-studded movie premieres for their political ads. But they still need to play by same rules just like the rest of America. That's democracy, John Sayles."

Jennifer Nelson, an Oakland writer, worked in policymaking positions in the Deukmejian and Wilson administrations. She can be reached at [email protected].

[donkeyotay]

102. That article does give some food for thought, but this caught my eye

"New federal guidelines require a content-based analysis of ads. "Timing, intent and content all come in play," says Hiltachk."

To my completely biased mind, here's how I see it. I see a political backlash in all sorts of media that is in response to the mainstream media, which has become a full time promoter of this administration and the military-industrial complex. They have an unending and loud voice, one which people have started to try and counteract.

Sinclair is using its monopolistic power on public dialog to air a movie made for one purpose - to smear Kerry - and timed to influence the election. The content will be inflammatory, one-sided, and possibly untruthful.

I hate Bush and am currently living to see him defeated. If I wrote a play or book reflected that reality, I am still exercising my right to speech. Moore's outspoken opposition to Bush doesn't negate his right to free speech. But if he owned 70 television stations and required his shareholders to provide 2 hours of free coverage for a movie whose only purpose (they had what 35 years to make this?) is to defeat Kerry, then I would question its "timing, intent, and content."

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

33. This must be Roves "October Suprise".

Rove said they had some suprises in store for Kerry. This must be one.

Im impressed! The GOP is playing serious kick-ya-in-the-balls hardball this year.

So, wonder what Kerrys countermove will be?

[nyhuskyfan]

38. Somehow, it violates campaign law...

For any affiliate to air a rerun of the Cheers episode that John Kerry appeared in back in 1982. Yet this is OK?

Mind boggling.

[JPZenger]

44. Advertisers hate controversy

Corporations know how divided the U.S. public is at this time. That is why every consumer products corporation has taken great care to avoid partisanship before the election.

When this boycott gets publicized, they will avoid Sinclair. The other corporations won't say they are boycotting Sinclair, because that will start a counter-boycott. Instead, they will just quietly not make new ad purchases.

The fact that Sinclair would show the movie without advertisements shows that it is a partisan political decision to show it, not a business decision. Law firms should be considering a shareholder lawsuit against Sinclair management for threatening the value of the shareholders investment.

So far this year, the Smith brothers who run Sinclair have sold off over $23 million of their Sinclair stock. The stock price has been tanking for the last several months.

[donkeyotay]

104. Yep, Sinclair is similar to Clear Channel

They both spontaneously generated from printed paper. Then a controlling family hides behind the image of a publicly traded company, and uses the asset to generate political capital.

I forget the name of the Texas family that controls Clear Channel, but it's the Smiths who own at least 40% of Sinclair, and they contribute to the repugnants.

It's all done with smoke and mirrors, and yes their stock has been tanking. So, I'm sure the shareholders want to go for this ride. Don't they have a fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders, which probably includes many unsuspecting people's retirement funds?

[jwirr]

45. If there are no commercials

then this is an outright donation from Sinclair to the bushie campaign and should be treated that way by the FEC. Wouldn't that give us equal time? This is not a movie that people pay to see - this is an ad that comes into our homes via TV. They have no morals what so ever. Oh well I guess I will just have to talk all the members of my family and my friend into boycotting all Sinclair stations and programing as well as advertisers to any of their drivel.

[Ohio rules]

120. ...then there are no sponsers

It is a blatant move to grab viewer ratings.
How many choices are there on cable?

People won't tune out the home shopping network in droves to watch ;)

[sister moon]

46. Did my bit...

I sent an email to the Tampa affiliate (I live in Orlando) expressing my displeasure and my intent to boycott advertisers. Hope it helps!

[HuckleB]

52. Where's the FCC? This has to be an equal time issue.

This is absolutely ludicrous. Their licensing should be pulled, if they go ahead with this.

[Divine Discontent]

62. I CALLED & SPOKE WITH A REP FROM THE FEC

Hi
I spoke with a gentleman at the # listed above. It's option #6 by the way. Before you call, perhaps you should read what I gathered and make a call asking how to file a complaint or other action. I asked what is going on with that "anti-viet nam war" airing, and he said, "I don't know what you're talking about", I got nervous! I was like what? Then I got more articulate and said, the "40 minute anti-kerry movie being shown by sinclair days before the election", and he said, "OH!".

He said, that Lions Gate VOLUNTARILY said they wouldn't show any COMMERCIALS for F9/11 and the FEC didn't have to get involved because of that action, but he said a complaint takes 60 days to make a ruling on. He said that if the Sinclair Group goes ahead and it's proven that they are doing something deemed as just a Bush Ad attacking Kerry (with no commercials, made by pro Bush folks), then the FEC would levy a heavy fine against that entity. He said it could be millions IF they are at fault. I said, well we're talking the presidency here, so what do they care if they sway 2 million voters that Kerry is something he's not, a commie! He said, I understand your being upset. He said there will be an initial comment from the FEC soon since he believes the Kerry camp has made a complaint.
All in all folks, he told me what I needed to know, the fact is, this PIECE OF DEVIL'S WORK, will air. We just have to criticize it constantly as propaganda, use that word over and over in emails to the stations, the government commissions and pray to God Almighty they don't steal this election. PERHAPS, they will back down under the pressure as Lions Gate did by not showing any F911 ads (which I agree with, it's so close, those should be seen as pro kerry ads just like Moore said about why he made the film to begin with), but if this 40 minute work of the devil gets aired with no commercials and is shown prime time (although I hear some may not show it at that time?), then I will be so righteously angry if Bush wins.

If you believe in a Maker, pray every day.

Godspeed

[Love Bug]

73. Slightly off topic

I saw a F9/11 ad this weekend on TV for the DVD release. I don't recall seeing any images of Boosh, so maybe that is how they get around this so close to the election.

[nomes]

134. Protest with us!

If you live in California come to the big rally at the Sinclair station in Sacramento!

If you don't, arrange your own protest!

Yes let's pray, but let's act too!

:) :) :)

[lizzieforkerry]

53. Please help!

Hi! I'm new. I am so outraged by this! I live in Cincinnati- very conservative- and we have one channel that is planning on airing this "movie" They told me they that not very many people had voiced any concern so they will continue with their plans to air it. They tried to get me to call Sinclair (they just have a recording now). I was hoping I could get some of you guys to call our stations too! Cincinnati WSTR (WB) 1-513-641-4400 and Dayton Fox 45/ABC 22 1-937-263-4500. Thanks

[fleabert]

63. boycott help

Call sinclair back and leave a message, yes there is a beep after all the crap about inviting Kerry to speak. I suggest telling them you will be boycotting all advertisers on your local affiliate, then do it! I have a list of the adverts from last hour of broadcasting here in Sacramento, I will post tomorrow once I have phone numbers and addys for all the companies. I also encourage everyone to watch for at least one hour and write down the local adverts at the very least so you can call them directly to complain.

[Divine Discontent]

66. Help for LIZZIE in CINCY

I called the WB in Cincy. I was born and raised in Ohio. I told her that I believed it was wrong to show ANYTHING like this 10 days before an election, and it was unAmerican, against a military hero, and I wouldn't watch anymore of there station if they showed this. She said, "I understand, thank you". Everyone call once, please. Give more #'s I'll keep calling. I called Sinclair, or, as we call them now, Agents of Evil, about a dozen times after the Nightline bulls*it and said that was sick that they wouldn't show the names and faces of our dead soldiers. The man that I spoke to then sounded like he agreed but couldn't say anything.

The more we call, the worse it gets.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

GO KERRY!

And for those who have a faith in God, pray for a good outcome and acceptance of what God has planned. I see so much anti-poor pro-wealth action from this "Administration", that it would be hard to think God approves.

[nomes]

135. get some friends and picket on the 21st with us

... this can generate local media attention. And if there are enough of us protesting at the same time, national attention.

[jimbot]

54. Wow, I boycotted their news without evening knowing they were Sinclair.

In Portland, ME I remember watching the early morning news on WGME channel 13 (CBS)...they had some inane arseface foaming Reich wing rhetoric on a little early snippet called something like "The Point" or "The View"...can't remember the exact name. I remember specifically stating to myself -- I will never watch the local CBS news again. That was about 8 or 9 months ago and I have held true to my statement.
Now I find out that they are a Sinclair shill and it all makes sense.

--JT

[genius]

55. This is a campaign contribution in violation of FEC laws

[Oddman]

56. Time for Soros and Moore to team up and get Fahrenheit 9/11

on national TV before the election.

[NVMojo]

59. if you haven't logged your vote, please do so, the numbers are growing

http://www.stopsinclair.org/index.php

and pass this link on to other Dems and Kerry supporters. Thanks!

[donkeyotay]

108. Thanks for a very helpful link

They also have good information on the shareholders and a list of companies that advertise on their stations.

[Oddman]

129. done - eom

[prolesunited]

68. How could they do that?

They don't control the airwaves. Who is going to air it?

[Divine Discontent]

70. soros & moore

AGREED!
why not just show f911 by satellite and tell people it will show the same night as this crap, I don't know, but they'll come up with something, heck, show free midget porn on another station! (I'm kidding of course)

[KC21304]

74. I don't see what good F9/11 is going to do in this situation.

This is a personal smear against Kerry, and that is how it needs to be addressed. Now if Soros could get Going Upriver on tv, that would do it.

[seasat]

58. The WB in the Tampa Bay Area is a Sinclair Station.

I knew that contacting Sinclair wouldn't make a difference so we contacted the WB and let them know that we blocked that channel on our set due to this outrageous breach of fairness. If you have one of those stations, boycott them and let the network know. Maybe Sinclair will lose their franchise to a more fair stations in your market.

[NVMojo]

61. good idea about telling them you blocked their station on your set!

now we need to tell their advertisers the same.

[MADem]

64. CALL YOUR CABLE COMPANY AND COMPLAIN

They will act like they do not give a shit, but if you send enough emails, they may sit up and take notice and realize they just may end up with a Janet Jackson boob problem--and they know AHEAD of time that this boob is gonna pop out of the Sinclair bustier. Ask why they are aiding and abetting violation of FEC regs in an election year. Tell them that by knowingly airing it, they are breaking the law, and they need to tell Sinclair that they cannot participate in this illegal activity.

THEN, GO TO THIS WEBPAGE

http://www.fec.gov/info/contact.shtml

It lists a kazillion email addresses and phone numbers for FEC officials. Start emailing and dialing, this is IMPORTANT!!!

[Divine Discontent]

75. Email addys for relevant FEC employees

write an email to

[email protected]
Joseph Stoltz, Asst. Staff Dir. of Audit Division

[email protected]
Mary Dove, Secretary of the Commission

stating that you are against this type of manipulation and propaganda(sp?) days before the election with no commercial advertising is obviuos media manipulation, etc.

[VegasWolf]

119. Congrats! I grew up in Tampa & my entire family still lives there,

they are all rural republicans with at most a high school education.
Tampa, especially the Trib, used to be an extremely conservative place. I would like to move back to Fla some day but it would definately have to be somewhere further south!!

[MonkeyJoe]

76. Here's my response sent to my Sincalir affiliates

Sent the following to WSYX-6(ABC) and WTTE-28(Fox), the Sinclair Broadcast Group stations in my area:

A decision to follow Sinclair's reported mandate that your stations show "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal" during prime time the day before the election would result in me never again watching your networks. To screen this piece of blatantly politically-motivated film on the eve of the election would violate your mandate for impartiality, so I could no longer ever trust your news or any of your content. I will be sad if I have to take this action, but I cannot be a number that you will cite as someone to advertise to. I will very much miss being able to watch Ohio State football, Monday Night Football, the bowl games, Desperate Housewives, Boston Legal, and Nightline. This is not to mention the MANY shows I also enjoy on WTTE. But if you are to be so hypocritical as to refuse to air Ted Koppel's touching tribute to the victims of 9/11 because it is politically motivated and turn around and take this ovbiously political move yourself, I can no longer deal with your broadcast group ever again. I plan on being in Columbus for the rest of my life, so my only hope is that one of three things happens -

1. You decide not to air "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal" (my preferred option)

2. You lose your FCC license for blatant politcking.

3. Other ABC or Fox affiliates come up in the area and I can watch them instead.

I am not alone in my strong feelings against these actions and I would strongly advise you not to take them.

Thank you,
Joe McNally

[fleabert]

78. kudos

That's great! do you mind if I lift some of your content for my own use?

[MonkeyJoe]

87. Go right ahead

[fleabert]

77. boycott

http://boycottsinclair.blogspot.com/

[jimbot]

80. I added a discussion to post Sinclair emails.

The thread is located at: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1036085

Basically an attempt to get everyone affiliated with the trash on an email list to annoy them into compliance :)

--JT

[ktowntennesseedem]

81. What if an affiliate said "no" to Sinclair's order?

It would take guts and courage, and I have no idea how this whole TV / Affiliate thing works; perhaps they have no choice. But I was just imagining the publicity if just one of their station chose to stand up for what was fair and right and refuse to air the anti-Kerry crap. They wouldn't need to air anything anti-Bush or pro-Kerry; doing so would make them no better than Sinclair. Just show their regularly scheduled line-up.

Perhaps, along with all the negative incentives of boycotts and protests, we could also offer some positive incentives of publicity and support...

:think:

[SemperEadem]

85. then someone would lose their job right before the holidays

and you know no one is going to place themselves in that position on purpose for principle--it's just not in them to do that. The person with the authority to make that call is not about to cash in his/her cushy lifestyle and little serfdom over 'fairness', especially since Reagan dismissed fairness back in the 80's with deregulation.

[ktowntennesseedem]

94. Your exactly right

All the publicity and notoriety it would generate, while fantastic, would be short-lived compared to the backlash from the right.

But what a story it would make...

[coreystone]

93. .

[Ohio rules]

124. Then they could apply for a job with Donald Trump

and become the next apprentice

[bri_in_austin]

86. I have good news...

check out this article:

Dems Cry Foul Over Anti-Kerry Film
Documentary Will Run On 62 Stations


Oct 11, 2004 3:52 pm US/Eastern
WASHINGTON (AP) The Democratic Party and 18 senators are objecting to a broadcasting company's plan to air on 62 TV stations a critical documentary about John Kerry's anti-war activities after he returned home from Vietnam three decades ago.

Sinclair Broadcast Group has asked its television stations -- many of them in competitive states in the presidential election -- to pre-empt regular programming to run the documentary as part of an hourlong program two weeks before the Nov. 2 election.

To see more of the article, check out this link...

http://cbsnewyork.com/entertainment/entertainment_story...

Hopefully, these senators and the DNC will put an end to Sinclair's plans.

[bling bling]

97. I contacted both Sentators in my state

And asked them to please "represent" me by doing whatever they could to take action to prevent Sinclair from airing it.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

130. I emailed both senators for my state and my rep.

Not sure if they'll notice my letter, but I hope they do something. They're all democrats at least. I also filed a complaint with the FCC.

I'm not sure if I should write to any of the stations. I don't actually get any Sinclair channels in my area. They probably won't care about my opinion if I'm not a potential viewer.

[sweetheart]

89. Direct Action

Who do the executives of Sinclair feel they are somehow above the
constitution? I sure hope they realize that they are personally
subverting the constitution, and that makes them guilty of treason,
IMO. In that case, they should worry more about a lynching than some
errant phone calls.

Some of these people who slander the president, are criminals, and
should be rounded up before they get in any deeper trouble...

[JetCityLiberal]

90. This sucks

:puke: :puke:

I had to call both the Cincinnati affiliate listed in post #53, the corp Sinclair number [phone], and signed the petition post #59.

This gave me some relief from my anger, but I plan to call again tomorrow and the next day and the next until they see we can make a difference.

Thank you for the great info in this post!

JetCityLiberal

[NVMojo]

92. don't give up!

http://cl.cnn.com/ctxtlink/jsp/money-story.jsp?domId=contextualLinks&time=1097526799769&origin=money&site=cnn_monnews_dyn_ctxt&category=moneynews&url=http://robots.cnnfn.com/2004/10/11/news/newsmakers/sinclair_kerry/index.htm

got this one from somewhere else on here but this is disgusting. Keep fighting!!!

[coreystone]

95. I would suggest calling the FCC......

I called the number that "Henslee" had mentioned in post #32. Although, it is "Indigenous Americans Day, (a Federal Holiday) I was refereed to the Michael Powell and the FCC gang. I was given two numbers:

202-418-1440
The Media Bureau

AND


202-418-0270
The Public Reference Room


I would suggest hitting these guys up tomorrow when it will be "working" day for Federal employees.

[roguevalley]

98. Go to www.americablog.org and see the list. John wants to get something

going NOW.

[Democat]

100. Will John McCain stand up for campaign finance reform now?

This is an illegal campaign contribution to Bush.

Will right wingers be allowed to break the law like usual?

[daleo]

103. It is a free press

Especially if you own it.

[coreystone]

105. Robert Ritter, CIA Deputy Director, says, “You’re Such a Boy Scout”

to Jack Ryan. This is a very clear and present danger on so many levels!

What has happened to my childlike delusion of fair play??

What a pain to see the reality that the media lies and cheats with governmental partiality!

I’m not being náive!

But, it won’t change for the better, unless the money changes hands. It has gone too far!!

[jaznme]

109. SOME COMPANIES WHO ADVERTISE W/SINCAIR AFFILIATES

NATIONAL ADVERTISERS
AT&T wireless
www.monster.com
Pizza Hut
Enterprise Car Rentals
www.sears.com
www.tylenol.com
www.mitsucars.com
www.glade.com
www.freecreditreport.com
www.pringles.com
www.zatarain.com
www.oralb.com
www.dominos.com
www.duncanhines.com
www.lowes.com
www.olivegarden.com
www.levistrauss.com
www.pepcidcomplete.com
www.hotelchoice.com
www.swiffer.com
www.fisher-price.com
www.tridentgum.com
www.7up.com
www.wrangler.com
www.crest.com
www.pull-ups.com
www.revlon.com
www.minutemaid.com
www.whirlpool.com
www.moen.com
www.oilofolay.com
www.dell.com
www.tyson.com
www.bk.com (Burger King)
www.eharmony.com
www.rentacenter.com

[Ohio rules]

123. beating a dead horse...no comercials...to be shown

with no breaks.


...Burger King..."Wake up with the King"...eggs and meat and cheese...and meat and cheese.... ;)

[0007]

112. I doubt that this film will change many to vote for junior.

but it will show the majority just how stupid this stunt is!....and the majority will be voting for John Kerry.

[greyl]

113. Sinclair statement: "The program has not been videotaped"

<We welcome your comments regarding the upcoming special news event featuring the topic of Americans held as prisoners of war in Vietnam. The program has not been videotaped and the exact format of this unscripted event has not been finalized. Characterizations regarding the content are premature and are based on ill-informed sources.

Massachusetts Senator John Kerry has been invited to participate. You can urge him to appear by calling his Washington, D.C. campaign headquarters at
[phone].

if you would like to make further comments on this matter, you may do so at:
[email protected]>

http://www.sbgi.net/




I'm doubtful of the truth of this statement, however...

[vetwife]

114. My letter to the FEC and FCC

Dear Officials,
As the wife of a 100 percent disabled combat VN vet, and CEO of a Veterans organization, do you realize what damage can be done to the mental health and emotional health of veterans suffering from PTSD if Stolen Valor airs? Many vets do not have someone at home to screen what they watch (per their psychiatrists advice).

Do you realize that over 110,000 VN vets have died by their own hand since the war was over and have been so traumatized and you all have allowed those ads to go on channel after channel without a disclaimer. Do you realized people can die from this sort of thing? Ask any mental health professional who deals with combat vets who have nightmares and flashbacks. The families of these emotionally distraught veterans have even considered suing.

This is your job to see that the health of the people..ALL the people, not just the republicans are protected from this type of exposure to relived trauma. It really does not matter if you are a democrat or republican or no party affiliation, what matters is people's mental and emotional health. The tobacco companies had to pull ads for less. This affects the entire veterans families and who knows what kind of hospitalizations or deaths this could bring about.

This is not a democratic issue, nor republican. This is a moral and health plus American issue.

[MsMagnificent]

141. My letter

(It's not near as moving or heartfelt as yours mi'lady, and I don't have the beloved Vietnam vet at my side anymore; so sarcasm and threats are all I have -- I hope it will at least make them think about their bottom line; I dare say that has replaced their hearts.)

Subject: It's very simple

FCC rules dictate equal air time for each candidate.

If you insist on showing "Stolen Honor" commercial free, which purports an negative-John F. Kerry spin; then you must also show a negative-George W Bush movie.

Therefore, I expect to see "Farenheit 911" immediately prior to or after you run Stolen Honor. Commercial free.

Otherwise, we'll all see you in court.
Wave Bye-Bye to your license!
Wave Bye-Bye to your advertising money!

Bye-Bye now!

[vetwife]

142. I think your leter was awesome !

I imagine they are getting antsy !

[Ohio rules]

116. The program has not been videotaped and ...

..the exact format of this unscripted event has not been finalized.
?

So the is no documentary after all this bullshit ?
wtf !?

[struggle4progress]

122. They're lying if they really plan to show "Stolen Honor" ...

... because it was released some time ago.

If Sinclair really plans a "discussion," Kerry should send some of his vet friends, like Cleland.

[TexasBushwhacker]

128. True, you can download it for $5 n/t

[struggle4progress]

125. <snip> Retention of Material Broadcast. We generally do not require ...

... stations to keep the material they broadcast. However, there are limited exceptions to this policy for personal attacks and political editorials.

Personal Attacks. Personal attacks occur when, during the presentation of views on a controversial issue of public importance, someone attacks the honesty, character, integrity, or like personal qualities of an identified person or group. No more than a week after a personal attack, the station must transmit the following three things to the person or group attacked: (1) notification of the date, time, and identification of the broadcast; (2) a tape, script or accurate summary of the attack; and (3) an offer of a reasonable opportunity to respond on the air.

Political Editorials. A political editorial is when a station endorses or opposes a legally qualified candidate(s) during a broadcast of its own opinion. (The opinions of other people broadcast over the station are referred to as "comments" or "commentary"). Whether a statement of opinion is an editorial or a commentary will usually be made clear at the beginning of the statement. Within 24 hours after the editorial, the station must transmit the following three things to the other qualified candidate(s) for the same office, or to the candidate(s) that were opposed: (1) notification of the date and time of the editorial; (2) a script or tape of the editorial; and (3) an offer of a reasonable opportunity for the candidate or a spokesperson for the candidate to respond on the air. <snip>

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/decdoc/public_and_broadcasting.html#EDITORIALS


<edit:> Ooops. That FCC page is dated 1999.


November/December 2000

As the climax to a recent series of dramatic developments, a federal appellate court has responded to the Federal Communications Commission’s belated effort to review two of its long-standing restraints on broadcasters’ speech—the so-called "personal attack" and "political editorializing" rules. The court directed the agency to repeal the restrictions immediately, and, on October 27, the FCC did so. The court’s sharply worded order thus resulted in the elimination of the remaining vestiges of the old "fairness doctrine." <snip>

The personal attack rule required broadcasters to give notice and free response time to individuals or groups whose "honesty, character or integrity" was "attacked" as part of a controversial broadcast—regardless of the truth of the assertion. Personal attacks on foreign groups or public figures were exempted from the rule, as were statements made by legally qualified candidates or their authorized spokespersons during the course of a political campaign. In addition, interviews, commentary, and analysis associated with bona fide news programming did not trigger the obligation for response time. The specter of the personal attack rule did loom prominently over talk shows, however, if they did not qualify for a news program exemption.

The political editorial rule required television and radio stations that endorse a political candidate in an editorial to notify and give free rebuttal time to that candidate’s political rival. A station editorial opposing a candidate also triggered the obligation to notify that candidate and provide free response time. As a result, broadcasters were discouraged from airing editorials concerning political races. <snip>

http://www.wrf.com/publications/publication.asp?id=756141172000

[TexasBushwhacker]

132. If you write to advertisers or stockholders ....

be sure to remind them that Sinclair refused to air "The Fallen" last May and that Senator John McCain called the company "an enemy of Democracy". Apparently a boycott of advertisers and a heavy e-mail campaign to investors started at that time. Something made their stock go from over $12 per share in May to less than $7.50 this week.

There is a lot of talk on the Yahoo Financial Message Board for SBGI. Most of it is people saying they're going to dump their stock. You can check it out yourself here:

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&action=l&board=7083976&tid=sbgi&sid=7083976&mid=1866

[truthisfreedom]

139. Minnesotans: write/call the program director of KMWB [info here]

KMWB (Channel 23) - Warner Bros.
1640 Como Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108-2725
[phone]
Fax: [phone]



Program Director: Jeff Ongstad
E-mail: [email protected]