Sinclair howls continue
18 US senators sent a letter to FCC Chairman Michael Powell urging him to look into the Sinclair "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal" controversy. They have now been joined by 30 members of the House, who sense no less than the scent of the old USSR and Red China. Also, Sinclair advertisers are taking heat.
"If Sinclair is allowed to go forward, it will set a precedent that endangers our very democracy," wrote Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who has been a loud opponent of broadcast ownership consolidation. "There can be little doubt that other broadcasters will follow suit and American television could become little more than the political mouthpiece for its corporate owners. If that happens, the sad truth is that American television could end up looking more like that of authoritarian countries like the former Soviet Union and China, which are widely despised for broadcasting the 'party line,' rather than a forum for the free exchange of diverse political views that is so necessary to a vibrant democratic society."
Sanders, an independent, was joined in signing the letter by an entirely Democratic roster, including: Tom Allen (D-ME); Joe Baca (D-CA); Earl Blumenauer (D-OR); Corrine Brown (D-FL); Sherrod Brown (D-OH); G.K.Butterfield (D-NC); John Conyers (D-MI); Peter DeFazio (D-OR); Lane Evans (D-IL); Sam Farr (D-CA); Bob Filner (D-CA); Luis Gutierrez (D-IL); Maurice Hinchey (D-NY); Jay Insee (D-WA); Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH); Barbara Lee (D-CA); Nita Lowey (D-NY); Jim McDermott (D-WA); George Miller (D-CA); Jerrold Nadler (D-NY); Richard Neal (D-MA); Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-WA); James Oberstar (D-MN); Bobby Rush (D-IL); Bernie Sanders (I-VT); Jan Schakowsky (D-IL); Louise Slaughter (D-NY); Pete Stark (D-CA); Diane Watson (D-CA); and Mel Watt (D-NC).
Meanwhile, a story in Capital Times' Madison.com says that local restaurant owners have pulled ads off of Sinclair's Fox Channel 47 WMSN-TV in response to complaints about the owner. The owners said they received about a dozen calls, and decided they didn't want to jeopardize their business. Other local businesses have been receiving calls as well.
Are you reading this from a forwarded email?
