Quote:
Originally posted by Lanny_MacDonald+Oct 13 2004, 06:39 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Lanny_MacDonald @ Oct 13 2004, 06:39 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Cowperson@Oct 13 2004, 06:29 PM
The issue is whether or not FOX should air this documentary. I agree its an issue for discussion.
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Well Cow, you have the issue wrong. Fox is not broadcasting the documentary. Its the Sinclair broadcasting group that is threatening to broadcast the production. Sinclair is made up of affiliates of all the networks. So in reality ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC stations owned by Sinclair will ALL cease broadcasting regularly scheduled programming and will broadcast this content. This is not just one network you can blame this on. This is a corporation controlling the content, not the network. You tell me this is kosher? You also want to tell me this isn't evidence of the exact charge that I have leveled in regards to themedia on several occassions? I want to make sure that you are aware that this is not a network issue and is a corporate decision. [/b][/quote]
Oof. I didn't pick up on that. Apologies.
Actually that makes it simpler. I think you were saying earlier all networks are complicit when in fact all appear to have little, if any, say in the matter. They're excused, including FOX. They supply programming to the stations via their affiliation but they don't actually own them.
The issue then is whether or not the Sinclair group is violating election laws which prohibit "public corporations and labor unions from airing "electioneering communication" sixty days before an election."
If I'm not mistaken, the Kerry camp has filed a protest with the FCC with that in mind and I assume that group will rule on the matter.
It will be an interesting test to see if they can stop it. Kerry's comments to Congress are fair and relevant. No one can deny that. I think the Swiftboat accusations are basically crap but they do have a large number of veterans willing to say the opposite which implies there are two sides, even if they'll only concentrate on one.
The Kerry camp probably won't be successful in stopping it. I agree the fair thing is to offer rebuttal time or to run Farenheit 9/11 right after or before but I won't hold my breath waiting for that to happen either.
Incidentally, one of the chief news poohbahs at ABC news was caught sending out a memo the other day imploring staffers to go hard on Kerry but to go "harder" of GW Bush.
EDIT: From "The Nation"
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/11/...ain648665.shtml
Cowperson