Is Sinclair Group Right or Wrong?

[J. J.]

Its wrong, and possibly illegal under McCain-Feingold.

Is there ANYTHING that actually is illegal under McCain-Feingold.?

I will point out that the group has invited Kerry to participate in a panel discussion after the broadcast.  That seems to comply with the legal requirements.

I voted yes, largely because I feel that the owner has a right to express their opionn.  If it were on in Phila, would I watch it?  It frankly would depend what else was on the other chanels.

The issue of Kerry's service and Bush's service doesn't tell will do as president.

[J. J.]

Its wrong, and possibly illegal under McCain-Feingold.

Is there ANYTHING that actually is illegal under McCain-Feingold.?

I will point out that the group has invited Kerry to participate in a panel discussion after the broadcast.  That seems to comply with the legal requirements.

I voted yes, largely because I feel that the owner has a right to express their opionn.  If it were on in Phila, would I watch it?  It frankly would depend what else was on the other chanels.

The issue of Kerry's service and Bush's service doesn't tell will do as president.

So basically you would be ok with it if CBS decided to air Fahrenheit 911 on Nov 1st if they invited Bush to participate in a panel discussion afterwards?

Pretty much.  Moore is talking about offering it PPV.  I'll keep my $9.95. 

We live in something called a "free country."  I may strongly disagree with the content of the film, and might object to either presentation on other grounds (language), but if Moore wishes to potentially lose a lot of profit, and CBS a lot of advertising revenue, they are free to do it.  I won't be watching it.

I feel the same way about the Sinclair Group.  Bush will get my vote, but that doesn't mean the Sinclair group will get my revenue.

That's one of the reasons you have not heard me criticize the 527 groups.  If I want to spend my money to say, accurately, that "John Kerry admitted to commited atrocities in Vietnam and comes from a family with a history of drug dealing," I have that right.

I'll add that both statements are technically accurate, but are distorted to sound much worse that what they are in their real context.

I don't think that this statement is relevant to Kerry's ability, or lack thereof, to govern.  I feel the same way about the TX Air National Guard claims by critics of Bush.

[J. J.]

There are several questions running through this thread. 

First, is it lega?.  That answer seems to be yes.

Second, should the owner of media outlet be permitted to use that outlet to express his opinion?  My local newspaper endorsed Kerry; should the editorial board be arrested or fined?  My answer is that it's a free country, and if the Sinclair group wishes to express an opinion on the military record of a public figure, the can.

Third, is this a good political move?  My betting is that it will have limited political effect.

Fourth, is it relevant to the how Kerry would be as president?  No.

[J. J.]

This probably would not be as big of deal if they didn't have an issue with the Nightline program of the Iraq war dead AND contribute to the Bush campaign.  Is F 9/11 a similar thing?  With F 9/11, it was in a theatre, and it was not just one company of theatres that was showing it, as well as people went and paid to see F 9/11. 

You might be so agreeable if I owned the only movie theater in town and decided I didn't want to show it. 

I believe that most, if not all of these stations are located in multi-station markets.  Did you ever hear of changing the channel?

[J. J.]

This program is offered free to 40% of homes in the United States. Fahrenheit 9/11 required people to pay. I still think it's stupid.

Well, if Michael Moore really wants to get his message out, why doesn't he offer it for broadcast, free of charge.  You know what, I may watch it.

[J. J.]

The FCC will not block it:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6249909/

Score one for freedom of the Press!

[J. J.]

I'm going to impose some self cencership.  If it comes on my area, I'm not going to watch it.