Public Service Announcement

There has been a new development regarding election year

politics and the corporate media.  It should be noted,

first off, that Michael Powell, appointed chairman of

the FCC by the current administration, is a strong

proponent for the kind of media deregulation that has

allowed ClearChannel radio, for example, to gobble up

nearly a third of the nation's radio stations.  In short,

the current administration is very friendly to large

media corporations that want to get even larger.  Though

John Kerry has not mentioned media law as an issue,

chances are he is not quite so cozy with big media.



Sinclair Broadcasting, a company that owns 62 local

channels on a variety of networks (and reaches 25% of the

nation's electorate), has ordered

its stations to pre-empt their regular programming and

air an anti-Kerry documentary called "Stolen Honor,"

which was produced by some of those involved in the

Swiftboat Veterans for Truth group.  You may remember

them for the controversial smear ad from which even Bush

distanced himself.  Contrast this with Fahrenheit 9/11,

which had tremendous popular backing and buzz before it

hit the theaters - and still had to fight tooth and nail

to get a showing.  "Stolen Honor" has come from nowhere

and now has a free ticket to ride on the public

airwaves, audience size and accessibility of which

Michael Moore can only dream. 



There are pieces in the Washington Post, New York Times,

and The Nation.  Also MediaChannel.



Wanna do something?



Other Resources:

Media Reform

Media Ownership Links