Members of the Democratic National Committee filed a claim saying that an anti-Kerry documentary set to air later in October is illegal because it helps out the Bush campaign.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041011/ap_en_tv/kerry_film&cid=494&ncid=1963&sid=96378798

Michael Moore and Moveon.org anyone?

Nevermind, its only legal when its pro-kerry propaganda.

Err the thing is...that is going to be broadcast on public airwaves. That is illegal.

It is also why, during the California Recall Election, stations weren't supposed to play Arnold movies, it gives more facetime (good or bad, doesn't matter) to a candidate.

[If this movie does play, it'd only be fair to broadcast Fahrenheit 9/11 also on the same channel at the same time (on a different day)]

I'll dig up a link to the law later, but the fact is - when you do something like this on PUBLIC AIRWAVES it is considered a campaign act, and unless equal time is given for pro-Kerry or Anti-Bush programming, then it is illegal.

So really, your comparison is flawed, sorry duder.

No comparison. To see Farenheith 9/11 you have to head to the theatre and buy a ticket. Moveon's ads are 30 second spots like any other 30 second spot in favor of or against a given candidate. In this case, we have Sinclair preempting regular primetime programming to give what is essentially a 60 minute ad for Bush. Now, this is the same chain that refused to air the episode of Nightline wherein Ted Koppel would be reading the names of those slain in the war in Iraq. Their reasoning in removing this programming from their affiliates was to avoid making political statements disguised as news. Obviously, that scruple disappeared fast when the opportunity to go after Kerry reared its head.

Here's the letter to Sinclair Broadcasting from former FCC Chairman Reed Hundt:
I'm told you were involved in a decision to order Sinclair stations to carry anti-Kerry propaganda. If my information is false, please forgive this intrusion. While I do not believe you should be required to carry pro-Kerry content, except of course for an even-handed sale of your advertising time to both campaigns, I do wish to register my objection and concern if in fact you have obliged your stations to carry anti-Kerry propaganda.

I assure you that if you were carrying anti-Bush propaganda I would be equally concerned.

The problem is this: How can it be part of a broadcaster's public interest obligation to aspire to alter the perceptions of the audience about a presidential candidate by showing biased content that in no way reflects either breaking news or even-handed treatment of the issues? Why should a broadcaster keep its licenses if it behaves in this manner? I hope you will reconsider your edict -- unless, of course, I am misinformed, in which case I do hope you forgive this message.

--Reed Hundt
Heh, if the situation was reversed and it was a Kerry promo going on the air, we'd hear endless cries of "Look at the liberal media!" here and from the Bushie pundits. I don't know much of the legality of this situation, but the Dems are displeased for a reason, and comparisons to Moore and MOveon are just inapt.

Looks like it has nothing to do with Bush. Instead it's a 60 minutes style look at Kerry's anti-war activities after Vietnam. Kerry's Vietnam activities are certainly as important if not moreso than Bush's guard duties in the same time. If 60 minutes can do it, why can't someone else?

We'll wait and judge whether it's truthful or whether they'll fabricate documents with cooperation from the opposing campaign like 60 minutes.

Just when you thought the campaign couldn't get any more petty or negative. Only 3 more weeks and its OVER!!! Than, well, there is the issue of the next four years that follows that....

Still don't understand...I see moveon.org ads every commercial break on public stations, and big media corporations such as CBS, CNN, ABC, and NBC constantly hammer Bush in every way possible. Yet democrats are protesting a 1 hour show on some small station to display Kerry's record?

Moore is pushing for Fahrenheit 9/11 to be shown the day before the election on various public stations here in the US. Fahrenheit 9/11 has already been aired on prime time in Canada and Cuba.

Fahrenheit 9/11 has already been aired on prime time in Canada and Cuba.

What does that have to do with anything?

Everyone protested Vietnam. Vietnam was not the right war at the right time. Vietnam was WRONG. Got that? I guess the Bush bandwagon says you must be a communist if you protested Vietnam. Well, I am the son of hippies and a vietnam vet who came home from the war and did nothing but talk shit, so that makes me a communist.

Has Bush's attack on Kerry brought out all the Vietnam supporters? Where are they? Nowhere, its cool to attack Kerry for protesting but its not cool to advocate Vietnam. Bunch of fucking hypocrites. Just like Bush. Air national guard in Texas while Kerry is in Cambodia. How fucking hypocritical can you get. Bush is a piece of shit bitch.

Phelonius

Just pointing out that Moore went to great lengths to make sure his propaganda has been spread out efficiently. Honestly I won't be suprised if it is aired on prime time in the US. I can bet those same people arguing against the anti-kerry documentary will be the first to support the airing of Fehrenheit 9/11. Or in the event that Fehrenheit 9/11 isn't on public stations in the US, Moore will make a another film on how Bush is a nazi that oppresses all free speech.

A public station airing fahrenheit 9/11 before the election would be just as bad as this.

As Talid said, the deal is with equal time on public airwaves. With commercials, both sides get equal opportunities. But if a station chooses to air something like this, but none for the opposition, then one side is getting preferential treatment. Thats baaadd. It's nothing new.

Some small station? It's 62 affiliates across networks in numerous markets. Moveon has their ads, and Bush supporters have their ads, and that's fine. 60 Minutes is a news program; it functions under the same ruleset as programs like Hannity & Colmes or your evening news. This documentary is a propaganda tool designed to attack Kerry on primetime networks in violation of whatever equal time statutes or traditions may be out there. DiscW is right, airing F-9/11 in this manner would be just as bad.

I expect the Reps to attack Kerry, just as the Dems will attack Bush -- no problem there, it's politics. But such overt bias shown by a broadcasting group is a bad precedent and bad policy on the part of the Sinclair group (forgetting for a moment its hypocrisy).

I think this precedent has really already been set by CBS, personally.

It is the logical next step, when you stop to think about it.

The fat-cats that have been supporting these politicians are now making the moves to do so more overtly. If a campaign donation of several millions dollars is no longer acceptable, simply use your broadcasting network for a public service program.

I am sure if it is broadcast that there will be an investigation into campaign finance laws being broken, just as they are investigating the Swift-Boat and Moveon.org groups.

I agree with Sanchek. CBS has already let the genie out of the bottle by focusing a 60 minutes segment on a campaign issue (i.e. Bush's National Guard Service). 60 Minutes is seen nationwide on network TV. If that was not illegal, the proposed airing of the other documentary should also not be illegal. You can't reasonably argue that they are not equivalent. Both involve the candidate's backgrounds, both were/are to be aired on network TV during the campaign, and *supposedly* neither is being funded directly from the respective campaigns.

If the movie is not allowed for being illegal, then CBS should be prosecuted/fined for already breaking the law.

I am curious on where the DNC and Senetor Kerry is on this VV the 60 minutes segment. It points back to one of the things that makes me worry about Kerry, he is willing to allow others to attack President Bush, but if an attack comes at him its unfair. I did watch the debates last friday and thought they both should just shut up cause neither candidate said anything, but I am right an he is wrong, with no evidence or plan to point to in thier rebuttals. Rev

Talid, have you located the link to this law you say is in effect?

Honestly I am not convinced you are correct on this law, I was watching Abrams Report and he was talking about how there was no law stopping the station from airing this 'documentary' so it will likely go ahead as planned.

Maybe it is not a federal law, but a Californian law?

If nothing else, this points out the silliness of trying to slice up what is and what isn't allowed in free speech, particularly in regards to an election.

Campaign finance laws and free speech restrictions suck.

"The fat-cats that have been supporting these politicians are now making the moves to do so more overtly. If a campaign donation of several millions dollars is no longer acceptable, simply use your broadcasting network for a public service program."

Or be a rock star and raise a few million.

It is not like rock stars are fat cats.

Really they rock so they should be able to give the kerry a thousand times what I am allowed to donate.

Cause you know,,,,,, They rock.


And MOVEON. org is funded by a bunch of poor people. So that makes it cool.

I believe the law Talid was referencing is the fairness doctrine. It was repealed (or allowed to expire without renewal) in the 80s.

If this flies there should be a televised Congressional inquiry into what exactly George Bush was doing during Vietnam. Also what happined to all the records? He was governor of Texas, he could have made a couple of phone calls to make it all go away.

Bottom line. Bush sold us all out long ago to his contributors. His policies say big business all the way. Its time to hand this loser his walking papers.

I can't resist...

Bush sold us all out long ago to his contributors.
I sure hope so, I gave him $1000 last month. Don't feel so bad though, I'm sure Kerry sold out to his contributors as well :p

His policies say big business all the way.
Damn those guys that employee lots and lots of people to hell!

Damn those guys that employee lots and lots of people to hell!

So I suppose you think corporations don't have to follow the same laws as the rest of us? Lets see jobs going offshore, cost of living up, wages/employment down, health insurance up.

I hope your money is a wasted venture. This country cannot afford four more years of Bush, both in his deception and in his stupidity.

I can't believe I misspelled employ :mad: