Liberals Warn Sinclair Not to Broadcast Anti-Kerry Film
NewsMax Wires
Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004
A liberal group dedicated to "correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media" is furious that Sinclair Broadcasting plans to have its stations air an "anti-Kerry attack film" between now and Nov. 2.
"Sinclair's plan to air anti-Kerry propaganda before the election is an abuse of the public airwaves for what appears to be partisan political purposes," said David Brock, CEO of Media Matters, in a letter to Sinclair Broadcasting.
In his letter, Brock warned Sinclair that airing the film "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal" could be a violation of broadcast regulations requiring equal time for political candidates -- as well as a violation of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law.
According to the "Stolen Honor" website, the film is a "documentary exposing John Kerry's record of betrayal."
A film excerpt printed on the website quotes a former Vietnam POW as saying that Kerry "committed an act of treason. He lied, he besmirched our name and he did it for self-interest. And now he wants us to forget."
"Stolen Honor" was produced by Carlton Sherwood, a former investigative reporter and thrice-wounded (and decorated) Marine Corps combat veteran.
The website says the documentary received its initial funding entirely from Pennsylvania Veterans. It notes that since the Stolen Honor website was activated in late August, additional funds have been received from individuals and entities nationwide.
"No political campaign, candidate or political party have been involved in any way in the financing or production of Stolen Honor," the website says.
On the film's website, Sherwood tells readers, "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."
In his letter to Sinclair Broadcasting, Brock wrote, "I don't have to remind you... (that) fourteen of the 62 stations the company either owns or programs are in the key political swing stations of Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where the presidential election is being closely fought."
Brock, in a press release, also pointed to press reports saying that in the 2004 political cycle, Sinclair executives have given nearly all of their $68,000 in political contributions to Republicans.
Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" -- the film that spawned so many election-year "documentaries"-- made its video store debut last week.
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