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Originally Posted by balderdash111
Actually, I'm being perhaps a bit more subtle than you give me credit for. My theory is that is in effect a very large paid donation by corporation, possibly in violation of contribution laws. It also violates the rules surrounding equal time
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What I am gathering from what I have been reading is Sinclair is using the system to skirt the laws.
"News story" means it's not technically and cannot be considered a political program. A donation? I don't see how it could be.
"Equal time" easily gotten around by extending Kerry an invite. If he refuses they can argue (not a lawyer but IMO) they offered him equal time for a rebuttal but he refused.
Now then, as with the Right wing hate spewers talking about Christopher Reeve this program could very easily backfire. I think Swift Boats ran everything into the ground so much people started resenting it and seeing it for what it was. Therefore by airing this program (which is just giving Bush's base a blowjob) it may piss off more fence sitters then recruit them for Bush.
I personally think it would be a mistake all the way around for Sinclair to air it.
1) not going to change Kerry's base
2) just going to piss off more undecideds then what they'll recruit
3) will show the company's true bias and will affect any stations they do have in liberal markets.
4) better have all the facts straight because I am quite sure CBS, ABC, NBC, UPN or the WB can sue or pull the affiliation liscense by airing something the main network doesn't approve of.... (especially if Kerry is elected)
5) If Bush loses, SInclair may have the FCC truly breathing down their necks.
6) I am sure there are liberal shareholders that could claim this is violating the company's rules that say.... "A. Conflict of interests
It is the policy of the Corporation to prohibit its directors and employees from engaging in any activity or practice in conflict with the interests of the Corporation. All directors and employees must avoid conflicts between their personal interests and the interests of the Corporation in dealing with fellow employees, other organizations, clients, or individuals seeking to do business with the Corporation. Situations should be avoided where it would be reasonable for an objective observer to believe that the judgment or loyalty of the director or employee may be compromised by his or her own, or an immediate family member's (spouse, parent, child, sibling or domestic partner) external relationship. Conflicts of interests can take many forms, not all of which can be detailed in this Code. Some examples of conflicts of interest that should always be avoided are as follow" (as found in Sinclair's code of Business conduct and ethics LINK:
http://www.sbgi.net/business/code.shtml )
Sorry, but if I was a shareholder and they aired something this divisive before the election that could change the outcome unnaturally. I would sue because that was in the "Board members" interest and not the company's as it would definately affect the audience (customer base). IE: You are choosing to piss off a segment of the customer base for your own personal gain and not the company's.
This suit is then filed with the SEC and NASDAQ and with the FCC looking into it, Sinclair could go belly up from all the legal bills.
See, business should not get political because people's opinions change in cycles. And you as a business get caught on the wrong side of that cycle you could lose everything. Especially, if the other side is very vindictive and doesn't forget very easily.