Instead of trying to summarize this myself, I will poiint you to a great summary about this issue at http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/002985.html
Lots of links in there to help you get the full picture and also some ideas about what we, as mere mortals, can do to try to get the message out about this.
Below is a copy of the letter I wrote today to WGME (tvmail@wgme.com) as the local station affiliated with the Sinclair Broadcast Group. I figured it’s the least I can do to let them know that people in Maine are on to them and that maybe they should tell the parent corporation that this isn’t such a good idea. Probably wont make a difference but….
“Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ” Ð Margaret Mead
Dear WGME –
I am writing you out of concern about your stations involvement in biased programming involved with the upcoming presidential election. It is my understanding that your station, as part of the Sinclair Broadcast Group, will be airing an anti-Kerry film, “Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal,” just days prior to the election. While I do not believe you should be required to carry pro-Kerry content, except of course for an even-handed sale of your advertising time to both campaigns, I do wish to register my objection and concern if in fact you carry anti-Kerry propaganda disguised as news programming on your station.
If you choose to broadcast this it will be made abundantly clear that you, as part of the Sinclair Broadcast Group, are a taxpayer subsidized extension of the Bush/Cheney 2004 election campaign and a biased abuser of the local public airwaves. I, along with many others here in Maine, will do all we can to make it clear to your viewers AND to your national and local advertising sponsors that we are upset by this biased action by your station and that there should be repercussions for such biased actions.
Thank you for listening. Please reconsider broadcasting this film.
-Matthew Baya
Response I received from WGME: