The Boston Globe reports that Sinclair Broadcasting, a firm which owns a number of television stations in varying markets, has ordered all of its stations, regardless of network affiliation, to broadcast a markedly anti-Kerry film as election day nears:
Sinclair has told its stations — many of them in political swing states such as Ohio and Florida — to air ”Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal,” sources said. The film, funded by Pennsylvania veterans and produced by a veteran and former Washington Times reporter, features former POWs accusing Kerry — a decorated Navy veteran turned war protester — of worsening their ordeal by prolonging the war. Sinclair will preempt regular prime-time programming from the networks to show the film, which may be classified as news programming, according to TV executives familiar with the plan.
“News programming.” Nice. And an interesting way of getting around the equal time rule.
The film is scheduled to air between October 21 and 24. To see if your local station is conservative-fundie-controlled and whether your favorite programs will be pre-empted by propaganda, have a look at what stations Sinclair owns.