[slickoe]

A chain that owns 7 ABC affiliates will pull a Nightline tribute to fallen GI's in which Ted Koppel will read the names of dead GI's as their pictures are shown because it is "political commentary disguised as news". I wonder if Sinclair owns any FOX affiliates? I guess it is OK if a fallen GI is a pro jock but all the others must be "out of sight out of mind". What do you all think of this?

[izme]

Originally Posted by slickoe

A chain that owns 7 ABC affiliates will pull a Nightline tribute to fallen GI's in which Ted Koppel will read the names of dead GI's as their pictures are shown because it is "political commentary disguised as news". I wonder if Sinclair owns any FOX affiliates? I guess it is OK if a fallen GI is a pro jock but all the others must be "out of sight out of mind". What do you all think of this?

wow and I have no idea what is going through their minds, I can only speculate.
The media is so subject to ridicule in every way and they may feel that it may offend others or hurt others or family members or or?

I for one would like to see that, If enough folks complained they might reconsider airing it?

My heart and prayers go out to all of the fallen soldiers and their family's and I feel it is important to see each one of their faces ect. May they all not die in vain to so many. Let's put these faces to the names, what ever the consiquences may be I feel it is the right thing to do, but after all I am just one opinion.

[Ciberblade]

How is honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country "political commentary disguised as news"? Regardless of political views these men should be memorialized!

[izme]

I agree, and the one's that oppose this, that is their right, doesn't mean I have to agree?

I wonder how many want to see it and how many feel that we should also show the faces of the innocent that also gave their lives to this war.

[bassetman]

Amen!

[eggplant43]

I did a google search. There is very little information about this corporate entity on the web, and nothing in news. I did find this:

Which is essentially a rant against media consolidation:


http://mambo.thepaperthewebsite.com/...t/view/176/37/


So it indirectly pertains to this subject matter.

I am opposed to most censorship, and I do think the actions, as described are a form of censorship. I believe in freewill, and freedom of choice. I have enough faith in my fellow countrymen and women to think they'll use their judgment and decide for themselves.

Specifically, I believe there is an element in this country that seeks to control what we see, what we hear, and to limit our knowledge of what is going on about us in the world so as to support their worldview, and I think allowing them to get away with it is very dangerous to the future of all of us. It doesn't matter which extreme the control comes from, it is a threat to all of our freedoms. The only effective way to maintain the freedom of our democracy is through an informed, involved citizenry. Those who seek to limit the knowledge threaten us all.

[izme]

well, in america we have a war between freedom of speech and the right to privacy.
The right to privacy will usually win in most cases.

[bassetman]

Eggy, some info from an email I got on that subject:

Tonight, ABC's Nightline is doing something beautiful and courageous.
The entire show will consist of a reading of the names of each soldier
who has fallen in Iraq, while his or her photograph shows on the
screen.

But ABC affiliate stations around the country will be prohibited from
airing the special. That's because they're owned by Sinclair
Broadcasting Group, a company whose executives have given tens of
thousands to Republicans and whose right-wing allies tout it as "the
next Fox." [1]

In a statement released earlier this week, the company said that to
honor the men and women who died in this way would be a political act
that is "contrary to the public interest." Censoring images of the
fallen serves the right-wing ideologues who pushed the war in Iraq,
but it certainly doesn't serve our country to hide those who were
killed.

In order to highlight this censorship and let other media outlets know
that it's not OK, we're asking you to write a letter to the editor of
your local paper. It doesn't actually take very long -- you can do it
in ten minutes or less.

We've added some tips and talking points below. Once you've written,
please let us know at:

http://www.moveon.org/sinclair.html?...LAJH6JyB482q3g

Military families have called on Sinclair to air the special tonight.
Jane Bright of Military Families Speak Out is the mother of Sgt. Evan
Ashcraft, who died July 24, 2003, near Mosul, Iraq. She said: "The
Sinclair Broadcast Group is trying to undermine the lives of our
soldiers killed in Iraq. By censoring Nightline they want to hide the
toll the war on Iraq is having on thousands of soldiers and their
families, like mine." [2]

According to ABC News, "The Nightline broadcast is an expression of
respect which simply seeks to honor those who have laid down their
lives for this country."

Yet Sinclair refuses to distinguish between public mourning and a
statement against the war: "Despite the denials by a spokeswoman for
the show the action appears to be motivated by a political agenda
designed to undermine the efforts of the United States in Iraq." [3]

[LANMaster]

I think calling out the names honors those who gave it all.

As far as political impact, it could actually go either way, so I think they should air the broadcast.

[Infidel_Kastro]

I'm on the fence on this one.
First, Sinclair media has given a lot of money to republican candidates, so that being said, let us move on.
I can't help to think that there is a political motivation here, that a reputable news source, which is supposed to be neutral on politics, would do this. Koppel said he thought of this because of a Time mag piece that listed the names of the soldiers who died in Viet anm in ONE WEEK.
I am more concerned that this is really exploitation in disguise. What is the point of calling out the names of the dead? Why not call out the names of all the victims of terrorist bombings that the newspaper suggested. Or what about calling out the names of everyone serving there?
This will do more harm than good, and yes, events are starting to mirror Viet Nam, but I am referring to media portrayal of these events.
On the flip side, i am a HUGE 1st amendment person, so I don't think most thing should be censored to begin with, but let me leave you with this:
I was driving to work this morning, listening to Stern go off on Bush and telling his listeners to vote him out of office. Well, i remembered that when Arnold was running for Gov, the FCC declared the Stern show a news program, thus elimnating him from having to give equal time. However, now that Stern has taken a political side, his ability to go back and say he is a legitimate news source will be more difficult. thus the parallels, that if the FCC feels there was POLITICAL motivation behind this, then ABC news and Ted Koppel will lose some legitimacy.

[THoey]

Lan put my feelings together well. Air the show honoring all. Some will look at it as this is all Bush's fault. Some will see it as those patriotic Americans, giving their all to support the American dream. None of that has to be decided by political party, although I believe there are those that will decide that way.

[bassetman]

My understanding is that the families who have expressed an opinion on it are in favor of having the loved ones names read. So if the families want it and the show's producers want it it would seem to be censorship to me.

[Infidel_Kastro]

Originally Posted by bassetman

My understanding is that the families who have expressed an opinion on it are in favor of having the loved ones names read. So if the families want it and the show's producers want it it would seem to be censorship to me.

I would feel a lot better if they did it with no commercials, thus eliminating any sponsorship.

[bassetman]

Sounds like a good idea.

[LANMaster]

great idea, IK.

Nice to find a little common ground with you, John.