Sinclair Broadcasting and the Fairness Doctrine

Sinclair Broadcasting’s disgusting election year ploy to smear John Kerry is one of the most egregious breaches of the public trust since the 1960s. Fortunately, even if they go through with it, it may actually wind up doing some good, as it has spurred the United Church of Christ into calling for a reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine and the Personal Attack Rule (if you don’t know what the Fairness Doctrine is, you can read my term paper on the subject).

Naturally, there are cries from the right that the ‘liberal media’ are ignoring the Sundance Channel’s anti-Bush-a-thon, but Kucewicz’ rant leaves out one very important detail: that Sundance is a cable network, does not use public airwaves to deliver its message, and is therefore is not obligated to serve the public interest.

October 15, 2004 - 09:40 AM