Anti-Kerry film backlash for Sinclair - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Mephisto2 · 10-19-2004, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Anti-Kerry film sparks row
October 20, 2004

A US television group's decision to air a documentary critical of Democrat US presidential hopeful John Kerry and his anti-Vietnam War activities has sparked a backlash from media watchdog groups and advertisers, and a lawsuit from a Vietnam veteran featured in the film.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, a major campaign contributor to President George W Bush's campaign, intends to air Stolen Honour: Wounds That Never Heal on all 62 of its stations across the United States before the November 2 election.

Shares in Sinclair traded at an all-time low yesterday on Wall Street in New York as investment analysts warned of the possible financial and political consequences of the planned broadcasts.

Kenneth J. Campbell, a Delaware professor who is a veteran depicted in the 41-minute film, has sued for libel, saying the film falsely portrays him as a fraud and a liar.

Last week, the Kerry campaign called the film a politically motivated attack that is unfair and inaccurate.

In his suit, Campbell, said the film combined footage of his appearance at a 1971 war protest with a voice-over.
Advertisement
Advertisement

The voice-over claims that many of the supposed veterans who took part in the event were later "discovered as frauds," who "never set foot on the battlefield, or left the comfort of the States, or even served in uniform."

"They put me in it as almost a centrepiece example of a fraudulent, lying pseudo-veteran," said Campbell, an associate professor who teaches politics international relations, including an honours course called "Lessons of Vietnam".

"I thought about it, and could not let it pass. I nearly lost my life in Vietnam multiple times and to have someone say I am a fake and a fraud and didn't even serve in Vietnam is utterly despicable," he said.

The movie is scheduled to replace regular programming during prime time in swing states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin and Florida, during a four-day period this month.

The film "has taken on a life of its own," its producer, Carlton Sherwood said. "I was told that throughout the country there are hundreds of places where small and large groups are getting together to watch this."

Campbell said he has sent Sinclair Broadcast Group a letter notifying them that if they aired the film, they would be named in his lawsuit as additional defendants.

The Sinclair stock has taken a hit since the controversy surfaced. The stock has fallen 53 percent this year. It traded at a 52-week low Monday of $US6.49.

"In our opinion, Sinclair's decision to pre-empt programming to air 'Stolen Honour' is potentially damaging - both financially and politically," analyst William Meyers of Lehman Brothers Equity Research wrote in a report. "In a best case scenario, we believe that this decision could result in lost ad revenues. In a worst case scenario, we believe the decision may lead to higher political risk."

Some companies in electoral battleground states have pulled ads from local Sinclair stations, according to the New York Times.

Media watchdog groups joined Common Cause last week in challenging Sinclair's decision to air the film right before the election.

"The public airwaves should not be used by television executives to promote their partisan political agenda," Common Cause president Chellie Pingree said. "This action crosses a line."

Mark Hyman, vice-president of corporate relations for Sinclair Broadcast Group, said the decision to air the documentary was "just one of many" that are made daily by the parent company.

He said reports that Sinclair forced its stations to air the documentary were "totally absurd," he said. "We make programming decisions, from public service campaigns to news programming, on a day-to-day basis."

Hyman said Sinclair had offered Kerry equal time on the stations.

KRT

REF:http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/...951701643.html

Looks like the Sinclair Group are being a bit rash here. It smacks of political opportunitism to me, but I'm a Kerry supporter so I guess I would think that.

Either way, I think they're taking risks with their company and share-holders for cheap political attacks.

Mr Mephisto

yoyoyobro · 10-19-2004, 03:00 PM

Rediculous partisan programing especially after Sinclair blocked a Nightline show when they said the name of every US soldier who had died in Iraq

seretogis · 10-19-2004, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yoyoyobro

Rediculous partisan programing especially after Sinclair blocked a Nightline show when they said the name of every US soldier who had died in Iraq

Yeah, and Nightline is completely objective.. right?

cthulu23 · 10-19-2004, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seretogis

Yeah, and Nightline is completely objective.. right?

Much more objective then a piece of anti-Kerry propoganda.

Anyway, what's so unobjective about naming the casualties of a war? Some would call it respectful. Until this war, photography of coffins was common and presidents were known to attend funerals of slain servicemen. Why should we shy away from the reality of war and deny the soldiers who have given their lives at this country's behest? Doesn't that seem a bit skewed to you?

seretogis · 10-19-2004, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cthulu23

Much more objective then a piece of anti-Kerry propoganda.

What is worse -- propaganda, or propaganda dressed up as "news"? Personally, I'm more disgusted by the latter than the former.

cthulu23 · 10-19-2004, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seretogis

What is worse -- propaganda, or propaganda dressed up as "news"? Personally, I'm more disgusted by the latter than the former.

I might agree that Nightline is corporate propaganda, but I suspect that you mean propaganda of the liberal persuasion. As someone who tends to believe the opposite of that I have a hard time accepting that idea. If you do believe this, what type of examples can you give to support that conclusion?

daswig · 10-19-2004, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Mephisto

Looks like the Sinclair Group are being a bit rash here. It smacks of political opportunitism to me, but I'm a Kerry supporter so I guess I would think that.

Thank you for being honest enough to admit that. It's refreshing to see.

Superbelt · 10-20-2004, 03:09 AM

John McCain rebuked Sinclair for not showing the Nightline piece calling it a very respectfully done piece. He also said that it is important for Americans to realize the price and sacrifices of a war.

Additionally there are about 80 advertisers who have pulled out of relationships with Sinclair because of a boycotting campaign. I bet it hits over 100 before the election.

10-19-2004, 03:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
yoyoyobro Tilted	Rediculous partisan programing especially after Sinclair blocked a Nightline show when they said the name of every US soldier who had died in Iraq

10-20-2004, 03:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
Superbelt This vexes me. I am terribly vexed. Location: Grantville, Pa	John McCain rebuked Sinclair for not showing the Nightline piece calling it a very respectfully done piece. He also said that it is important for Americans to realize the price and sacrifices of a war. Additionally there are about 80 advertisers who have pulled out of relationships with Sinclair because of a boycotting campaign. I bet it hits over 100 before the election.