Network endorses Bush, abuses airtime

This year, something new has happened in our electoral system — politically charged and biased documentaries are swaying voters before the polls open. News groups have gotten in on the mud-slinging action by broadcasting documentaries and political advertisements but the media should provide information to the public to help voters make a decision. The media should not make the decision for them.

The Sinclair Broadcast Group has decided to air an anti-John Kerry documentary titled, "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal." The film will be played commercial free on all 62 of its television stations, according to CNN.com. The film, which is set to air during prime time viewing hours, accuses Kerry of betraying American prisoners of war during the Vietnam War.

Sinclair is abusing its influence by using the airwaves for political mud-slinging.

There are a mere three weeks left until the important presidential election. Unfortunately, Sinclair has stations located in the swing states of Ohio, Florida, Iowa and Wisconsin. It is not the right of a media company to decide to air something so obviously one-sided and not provide an alternative view for their audience.

The fact that a propaganda film is being shown in a prime time slot is a strong reminder of how important these wartime elections are, and how intertwined media and politics are. It would be fair if all presidential candidates were given the opportunity to air a similar candidate-blasting film, but the airing in this case is the decision of the network and its decision to endorse a candidate.

Sinclair's decision may directly violate the federal laws concerning equal broadcast time for all political candidates. Some of Sinclair's top executives are from a family that contributes money to the Bush campaign. Sinclair itself has donated 97 percent of its political contributions to the Republican party, according to the Los Angeles Times.

America has a fairly free media system. We are lucky to have the chance to hear different viewpoints in broadcast and print, but the news media has a responsibility to remain unbiased, and Sinclair is abusing its privilege as a news source.

Back in April, CNN.com reported that Sinclair ordered seven ABC-affiliated stations to censor a segment where the names of U.S. soldiers who died in Iraq were read on television. The decision was based on the opinion of a Sinclair executive that broadcasting that information was not in the public's interest.

Sinclair media has a responsibility to broadcast equal time for all candidates. The company is abusing its privilege and essentially censoring all opposing political views.