Despite concerns that Sinclair’s broadcast of an anti-Kerry docum...
Despite concerns that Sinclair’s broadcast of an anti-Kerry documentary Oct. 22 wasn’t balanced and violated the broadcaster’s public interest obligations, the film received few complaints Mon. Media Access Project Pres. Andrew Schwartzman said he would be very surprised if…
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anyone pursued taking issue with the broadcast, but said the controversy has “painted a bull’s eye” on Sinclair. Sinclair stations aired part of a documentary Fri. night that was critical of Presidential candidate Sen. Kerry’s (D-Mass.) Vietnam Service. The material was part of a program that also included criticism of President Bush. “I think that what you saw was that the public was heard,” Schwartzman said. Last week, the Veterans Institute for Security & Democracy filed an initial complaint with the FCC against Sinclair over concerns that Sinclair may not provide equal time for a counter opinion on the issues raised in the film (CD Oct 22 p3). The group’s attorney John Crigler hadn’t seen the program and requested a copy from Sinclair before deciding what action, if any, to take. “I'm still waiting for the goods to arrive,” Crigler told us Mon.