FCC pre-empts Sinclair Broadcasting

Josh Marshall posts what he claims is a letter from the FCC to Sinclair Broadcasting. According to the LA Times (analyzed here at Left Coaster), Sinclair, a publicly traded company has told its affiliate stations to show an anti-Kerry film a few days before the election. The FCC letter from Chairman Reed Hundt concludes:

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.

Update 4:30pm: If you haven't read my first post on Sinclair (linked above), go do it for more information on other Sinclair B.S.

Steve Soto at Left Coaster also gives some suggestions as to what can be done to make Sinclair less likely to pull the stunt. What I wanted to point out here, though, is his first few reader comments:

"whereas this piece of propaganda is being beamed into your home on the public airwaves with the specific intention of swinging the election by using taxpayer-subsidized airwaves"

Turn the channel.

Enough said.
Posted by Right Coaster at October 11, 2004 10:41 AM

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Not if they're using the public airwaves for it, RC, and calling it news.
Posted by Steve Soto at October 11, 2004 10:44 AM

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"Turn the channel.

Enough said."

Rightcoaster,

Don't have an abortion.

Enough said.
Posted by muckcat at October 11, 2004 10:46 AM

Touche! and nice fielding, muckcat.

One commenter says that Sinclair is 5% publicly traded, but 95% owned by a Bush supporter. Another commenter has some more information on Sinclair...

I used to live in Asheville, and on WLOS (local ABC affiliate there), they would play a taped two minute segment once a week where a Sinclair executive offered up the latest GOP talking points, usually finishing with a snide remark about Democrats. There was no strong advocate of the Democratic position, no opportunity for dissenting opinion at all.

I assume that Sinclair forces this segment on all of its affiliates. Let's get 'em.

Posted by shamanic

Also, you can sign a petition...

...We will present an interim petition to Sinclair, its advertisers, and the FCC on October 15 and will present a final petition on October 20. (Stop Sinclair.org)