Sinclair Broadcasting: The Ugly Truth !!

[G_j]

(see end of post to take action)
thanks to KoKo01, SoCalDem, dArKeR, ann_coulter_is_a_man, Proud Patriot and others :-)
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Broadcaster's Own 'Political Agenda' Plays Part in Nightline Snub

By Timothy Karr
MediaChannel.org
http://www.mediachannel.org/views/dissector/affalert187.shtml


<snip>
MediaChannel.org has learned that the political leanings of Sinclair executives also may have played a part in the company's decision to block the popular ABC news program. In 2004, 98 percent of Sinclair's political contributions have gone to GOP candidates.
<snip>

According to The Center for Responsive Politics, an organization devoted to tracking political contributions by individuals, PACs and corporations, Sinclair executives give overwhelmingly to Republican causes and candidates. Of the top twenty TV and Radio companies to make political contributions in 2004, Sinclair Broadcasting Group, is among the most conservative, giving 98 percent of its $65,434 in political contributions to GOP candidates.

By comparison, Clear Channel Communications, the notoriously conservative radio colossus run by President Bush's longtime Texas cronies Tom and Steve Hicks has given only 75 percent of its 2004 contributions to Republicans; Democratic candidates have received the remaining 25 percent of Clear Channel's political largesse.

MediaChannel has contacted Sinclair CEO and President David Smith for comment on the company's political track record. Smith has yet to reply. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Smith personally gave $2,000, the maximum individual contribution, to President Bush's 2004 re-election campaign.

<snip>
The broadcasting giant reported first quarter preliminary results for net broadcast revenues reached $158.3 million. The Q1 increase over last year -- about $4 million more than the company expected -- came in part from $1.3 million in additional political advertising revenues in key election states such as Ohio, Florida, West Virginia, Illinois and Maine, where Sinclair owns stations.
<snip>
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Sinclair stations won't run "Nightline" tribute
http://poynter.org/forum/?id=misc
----------------------
Deep Inside Sinclair:
More local newscasts are increasingly broadcast from the same location in Hunt Valley, Md. Terence Smith goes inside the studios of Sinclair Broadcast Group, which has been criticized for its consolidation that has taken the local out of local news.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/july-dec03/newscentral_12-11.html

------------------------

http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=15718

<snip>Tune into the evening news on Madison, Wisconsin's Fox TV affiliate and behold the future of local news. In the program's concluding segment, "The Point," Mark Hyman rants against peace activists ("wack-jobs"), the French ("cheese-eating surrender monkeys"), progressives ("loony left") and the so-called liberal media, usually referred to as the "hate-America crowd" or the "Axis of Drivel." Colorful, if creatively anemic, this is TV's version of talk radio, with the precisely tanned Hyman playing a second-string Limbaugh.
Fox 47's right-wing rants may be the future of hometown news, but – believe it or not – it's not the program's blatant ideological bias that is most worrisome. Here's the real problem: Hyman isn't the station manager, a local crank, or even a journalist. He is the Vice President of Corporate Communications for the station's owner, the Sinclair Broadcast Group. And this segment of the local news isn't exactly local. Hyman's commentary is piped in from the home office in Baltimore, MD, and mixed in with locally-produced news. Sinclair aptly calls its innovative strategy "NewsCentral" - it is very likely to spell the demise of local news as we know it. "

-----------------------------------
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04080/288764.stm

She's not a reporter -- she just plays one on TV
Saturday, March 20, 2004

By Dennis Roddy

Karen Ryan was happy to hear my voice.

"At least you called to ask if I'm a real person," she said. After a week of being called everything from an actress to a hooker, a little self-doubt was inevitable.

snip....

She ended each report with, "In Washington, this is Karen Ryan reporting." That's how she closed a spot touting the Bush administration's new Medicare prescription package, commissioned by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. But this is an election year. Someone noticed the self-promotional spot and, in no time, the General Accounting Office opened an investigation and the public howled indignantly.

The focus of public fury is, as usual, the least blameworthy target. Ryan has been called a phony. One newspaper editorial told people that, if they see her, don't believe her. Chris Matthews, onetime chief of staff for Tip O'Neill, used the term "hooker." When Tip O'Neill's fixer calls you a hooker, that's got to hurt.

snip...

On KMAX in Sacramento, she told viewers of the 9 p.m. show about how frequent flier miles were becoming easier to use, and interviewed a spokesman from Capital One, a credit card vendor, to show how. In Atlanta, WAGA aired her report on the new Medicare prescription benefits program. Viewers in Tampa turned to WTSP and learned why money spent now on seeing a doctor saves money later. In Pittsburgh, WPGH, the Sinclair Broadcasting station that fired much of its news staff in favor of feeds from a centralized newsroom in Baltimore, offered Karen Ryan on Aug. 16.
-------

SINCLAIR AIRS FAKE NEWS BROADCASTS PRODUCED BY BUSH ADMINISTRATION: In March, it was discovered that the Bush Administration was producing "television news stories, written and paid for by the government, which have the appearance of legitimate news segments delivered by independent reporters," and distributing them to local newscasts as a way of promoting administration policies – including its ill-conceived Medicare prescription drug law. On the broadcasts, a public relations professional named Karen Ryan pretended to be a reporter. Among the stations which aired the administration propaganda as news: WPGH in Pittsburgh "the Sinclair Broadcasting station that fired much of its news staff in favor of feeds from a centralized newsroom in Baltimore."

SINCLAIR REQUIRES JOURNALISTS TO READ PRO-BUSH STATEMENTS: In September 2001, Sinclair Broadcasting required its affiliates to air messages "conveying full support" for the Bush administration. At a Baltimore affiliate, WBFF "officials required news and sports anchors, even a weather forecaster, to read the messages, "which included statements such as " wants you to know that we stand 100% behind our President." Several WBFF staffers objected on the grounds that reading the statements would "erode their reputations as objective journalists" because it made them appear to be "endorsing specific government actions."



TAKE ACTION HERE !!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=1503877&mesg_id=1503877

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1496881

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1500791

[Robbien]

1. Media for Democracy has an email campaign on this

It was easy to use and the emails went directly to the Sinclair Broadcast Group

http://www.mediafordemocracy.us/campaign/nightline

[myrna minx]

2. kick.

:kick:

[cosmicdot]

3. The Directors and Officers of Sinclair Broadcast Group

and, other misc. background info, i.e., SBG's letter to McCain ....

board of directors are:

David D. Smith
Frederick G. Smith
J. Duncan Smith
Robert E. Smith
Daniel C. Keith
Martin R. Leader
Lawrence E. McCanna
Basil A. Thomas



Director and Officer Profiles


In 1978, David D. Smith founded Comark Communications, Inc., a company engaged in the manufacture of high power transmitters for UHF television stations, and was an officer and director of Comark until 1986. He also was a principal in other television stations prior to serving as a General Manager of WCWB from 1984 until 1986. In 1986, David was instrumental in the formation of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. He has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since 1988 and as Chairman of the Board of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. since September 1990. David Smith is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Sinclair Ventures, Inc., Acrodyne Communications, Inc., G1440, Inc., Summa Holdings, Ltd., KDSM, LLC, and Safe Waterways in Maryland.


Frederick G. Smith has served as Vice President of Sinclair since 1990 and Director since 1986. Prior to joining Sinclair in 1990, Mr. Smith was an oral and maxillofacial surgeon engaged in private practice and was employed by Frederick G. Smith, M.S., D.D.S., P.A., a professional corporation of which Mr. Smith was the sole officer, director and stockholder. Mr. Smith is currently a member of the board of directors of Sinclair Ventures, Inc., the Freven Foundation, Safe Waterways in Maryland, and Gerstell Academy.


J. Duncan Smith has served as Vice President, Secretary and as a Director of Sinclair since 1986. Prior to that, he worked for Comark Communications, Inc. installing UHF transmitters. In addition, he also worked extensively on the construction of WCWB in Pittsburgh, WTTE in Columbus, WIIB in Bloomington and WTTA in Tampa / St. Petersburg, the renovation of the studio, offices and news facility for WBFF in Baltimore and construction of the Sinclair headquarters building in Hunt Valley, MD. J. Duncan Smith is currently a member of the board of directors of Sinclair Ventures, Inc., the Boys Latin School, High Rock Foundation, and Safe Waterways in Maryland.


David B. Amy has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since March 2001. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President from September 1999 to March 2001 and as Vice President and CFO from September 1998 to September 1999. Prior to that, he served as CFO from 1994 to September 1998. In addition, he serves as Secretary of STG, the Sinclair subsidiary that owns and operates the broadcasting operations. Mr. Amy has over 19 years of broadcast experience, having joined Sinclair as a Business Manager for WCWB in Pittsburgh. Mr. Amy received his MBA degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1981. Mr. Amy is currently a member of the board of directors of Acrodyne Communications, Inc., G1440, Inc., and KDSM, LLC., and an advisor to Allegiance Capital, LP.


Barry M. Faber has served as Vice President/General Counsel of STG since August 1999 and prior to that as Associate General Counsel from 1996 to 1999. Prior to that time, he was associated with the law firm of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shiver, & Jacobson in Washington, D.C. Mr. Faber is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Virginia School of Law.


Steven M. Marks has served as Chief Operating Officer/Television since February 2003 and is responsible for the television station group operations. Prior to that, he served as Vice President/Regional Director from March 2002 to February 2003. As a Vice President/Regional Director, Mr. Marks was responsible for the Baltimore, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Flint, Tallahassee, Charleston, WV, Portland, Springfield, Minneapolis, Tampa, Syracuse, Norfolk, Richmond, Buffalo and Rochester markets. Prior to his appointment as Vice President/Regional Director, Mr. Marks served as Regional Director since October 1994. Mr. Marks served as General Manager for Sinclair’s flagship station, WBFF-TV in Baltimore, Maryland from July 1991 until October 1994. From 1986 until joining WBFF in 1991, Mr. Marks served as General Sales Manager at WTTE-TV in Columbus, Ohio. Prior to that time, he was national sales manager for WFLX-TV in West Palm Beach, Florida.


Daniel C. Keith has served as a Director of Sinclair since 2001. Mr. Keith is the President and Founder of the Cavanaugh Group, Inc., a Baltimore based investment advisory firm founded in October 1995. Prior to establishing the Cavanaugh Group, Inc., Mr. Keith was Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager, and Director of the Investment Management division of a local financial services company since 1985. During this time, he served as chairman of the Investment Advisory Committee and was a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Keith has been advising clients since 1979 and is currently a member of the Boards of Trustees of The High Rock Foundation, Safe Waterways in Maryland and The Boy’s Latin School of Maryland.


Martin R. Leader has served as a Director of Sinclair since May 2002. Mr. Leader is a retired partner of the law firm ShawPittman in Washington, D.C. where he specialized in communications law matters. Prior to his service at ShawPittman, Mr. Leader was a senior partner with the law firm of Fisher Wayland Cooper Leader & Zaragoza in Washington, D.C. from 1973 to 1999. He is currently a director of Star Scientific, Inc. (Nasdaq: STSI) where he serves on the Audit and Compensation Committees. Mr. Leader has served on the staff of the Office of Opinions and Review of the Federal Communications Commission. He is a member of the District of Columbia Bar. Mr. Leader graduated from Tufts University and Vanderbilt University Law School.


Lawrence E. McCanna has served as a Director of Sinclair since July 1995. Mr. McCanna has been a stockholder of the accounting firm of Gross, Mendelsohn & Associates, P.A. since 1972 and has served as its managing director since 1982. Mr. McCanna has served on various committees of the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants and was chairman of the Management of the Accounting Practice Committee. He is also a former member of the Management of an Accounting Practice Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. McCanna is a former member of the board of directors of Maryland Special Olympics.


Robert E. Smith has served as a Director and a member of the Executive Committee of Sinclair since 1986. He served as Vice President and Treasurer of Sinclair from 1988 to June 1998, at which time he resigned from his position as Vice President and Treasurer. In March 1997, Mr. Smith started RSMK LLC, a commercial real estate investment company which he currently manages. Prior to 1986, he assisted in the construction of WTTE-TV and also worked for Comark Communications, Inc. installing UHF transmitters. Mr. Smith is currently a member of the board of directors of Sinclair Ventures, Inc., Nextgen Foundation Charitable Trust, Garrison Forest School, Safe Waterways in Maryland, Gerstell Academy, Bay Television, Inc., Keyser Investment Group, Cunningham Communications, Gerstell Development LP and Beaver Dam LLC.


Basil A. Thomas has served as a Director of Sinclair since November 1993. He is of counsel to the Baltimore law firm of Thomas & Libowitz, P.A. and has been in the private practice of law since 1983. From 1961 to 1968, Mr. Thomas served as an Associate Judge on the Municipal Court of Baltimore City and from 1968 to 1983, he served as an Associate Judge of the Supreme Bench of Baltimore City. Mr. Thomas is a trustee of the University of Baltimore and a member of the American Bar Association and the Maryland State Bar Association. Mr. Thomas attended the College of William & Mary and received his L.L.B. from the University of Baltimore. Mr. Thomas is the father of Steven A. Thomas, a senior attorney and founder of Thomas & Libowitz, counsel to Sinclair.


David R. Bochenek has served as Chief Accounting Officer/Controller since November 2002. Mr. Bochenek joined Sinclair in March 2000 as the Corporate Controller. Prior to joining Sinclair, Mr. Bochenek was Vice President, Corporate Controller for Prime Retail, Inc. from 1993 until 2000. From 1990 to 1993, Mr. Bochenek served as Assistant Vice President for MNC Financial, Inc. and prior to that held various positions in the audit department of Ernst & Young, LLP. Mr. Bochenek received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Master of Science in Finance from Loyola College in Maryland. Mr. Bochenek is a Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants and the Financial Executives Institute.


M. William Butler has served as Vice President/Group Programming and Promotions of STG since July 1999 and from 1997 until 1999, as Vice President/Group Program Director, STG. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Butler served as Director of Programming at KCAL in Los Angeles, California. From 1991 to 1995, he was Director of Marketing and Programming at WTXF in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and prior to that he was the Program Director at WLVI in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Butler attended the Graduate Business School of the University of Cincinnati from 1975 to 1976.


Joe DeFeo has served as VP/News Director since August 2003. From October 2002 until August 2003, he was the Corporate News Director. Mr. DeFeo launched the News Central operation for the company. From 1992 until October 2002, Mr. DeFeo served as the News Director of WBFF-TV (FOX 45) and WNUV-TV (WB 54). Mr. DeFeo started his career at WGAL-TV in Lancaster/Harrisburg, PA and worked for five years as news producer at WBAL-TV in Baltimore. Immediately before coming to WBFF/WNUV in 1991, he was Producer of the Fox Morning News at WTTG in Washington and helped start up that morning newscast. Mr. DeFeo has won two Washington regional Emmy awards for newscast producing.


Lawrence Fiorino founded G1440, a provider of single-source, end-to-end e-Business solutions and a number of services and products, including a homebuilding application, an immigration tracking tool application, a syndicated television program management and scheduling application and a procurement application, in April 1998. From 1994 to 1998, he was vice president of systems and technology for The Ryland Group, Inc. Mr. Fiorino is a Certified Public Accountant, has a BA in Accounting, an MBA in MIS, and is a regular contributing writer for Maryland’s Daily Record newspaper. Mr. Fiorino appears weekly on “Fox-45’s Web Sightings” technology segment on Sinclair’s Fox Affiliate station in Baltimore, MD and has recently been named to “Baltimore’s 40 under 40.”


Leonard J. Ostroff has served as Chief Operating Officer of Sinclair Ventures, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group, since August 1999. From 1994 to 1999, Mr. Ostroff served as Vice President of Information Systems for Prudential Securities, a global securities firm based in New York City. Prior to joining Prudential, Mr. Ostroff worked at VIPS, a boutique technology consulting firm and Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting). He currently serves on or advises the boards of G1440, Jadoo Power Systems, Agentsmith, VisionAir, Sterling Ventures and Appforge. Mr. Ostroff graduated from Lafayette College with a degree in Business and Economics.


Nat Ostroff has served as Vice President/New Technology since joining Sinclair in January 1996. From 1984 until joining Sinclair, he was the President and CEO of Comark Communications, Inc., a leading manufacturer of UHF transmission equipment. While at Comark, Mr. Ostroff was nominated and awarded a Prime Time Emmy Award for outstanding engineering achievement for the development of new UHF transmitter technologies in 1993. In 1968, Mr. Ostroff founded Acrodyne Industries Inc., a manufacturer of TV transmitters and a public company and served as its first President and CEO. Mr. Ostroff holds a BSEE degree from Drexel University and an MEEE degree from New York University. He is a member of several industry organizations, including AFCCE, IEEE and SBE. Mr. Ostroff also serves as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board for Acrodyne Communications, Inc. in which Sinclair has an investment.


Delbert R. Parks, III has served as Vice President/Operations and Engineering of STG since 1996. From 1985 to 1996, he was Director of Operations and Engineering for WBFF-TV and Sinclair. He has held various operations and engineering positions with Sinclair for the last 28 years. He is responsible for planning, organizing and implementing operational and engineering policies and strategies as they relate to television operations, web activity, information management systems, and infrastructure. Mr. Parks is a member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers and the Society of Broadcast Engineers. Mr. Parks is also a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel who has held various commands during his 26-year reserve career.


Lucy A. Rutishauser has served as Vice President/Corporate Finance and Treasurer since November 2002. From March 2001 until November 2002, she served as Treasurer and, from 1997 until March 2001, she served as Assistant Treasurer. From 1992 to 1997, Ms. Rutishauser was the Assistant Treasurer for Treasure Chest Advertising Company (currently Vertis) and Integrated Health Services, Inc. From 1988 to 1992, Ms. Rutishauser held various treasury positions with Laura Ashley, Inc. and Black and Decker Corporation. Ms. Rutishauser graduated magna cum laude from Towson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Finance and received her M.B.A., with honors from the University of Baltimore. Ms. Rutishauser is a member of the National Institute of Investor Relations and the Association of Finance Professionals and is a past Board member for Mid-Atlantic Treasury Management Association. Ms. Rutishauser currently serves on the University of Maryland Baltimore County Department of Economics Visitors Council.


Jeffrey W. Sleete has served as VP of Marketing since August 2001. From 1999 until 2001, he served as a Regional Director and as Regional Sales Counselor for Sinclair’s television stations. From 1996 to 1999, he was the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Sinclair’s radio division. From 1985 until 1996, he served as General Manager of radio stations in Detroit, Houston and West Palm Beach. From 1980 to 1985, Mr. Sleete headed a national sales representation firm office in Detroit and was a General Sales Manager for two radio stations. Prior to that, he was an account executive for both local and national sales. Mr. Sleete holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University.


Gregg L. Siegel has served as Vice President of National Sales since June 2001. Prior to that time, he worked as Director of Business Development, Strategic Sales Manager and a Regional Sales Manager on a multiple market basis, since starting with Sinclair in 1994. He has held several sales and management positions with National Rep Firms, having started his television sales career in 1982 with Avery-Knodel as a Marketing Associate. Mr. Siegel holds a Bachelors degree in Communications and Marketing from the University of Arizona.


Darren J. Shapiro has served as Vice President of Sales since August 2001. From 2000 to 2001, he served as Director of Internet Sales. From 1999 to 2000, he served as New Business Development Manager and, prior to that he served as General Sales Manager and Local Sales Manager for WBFF-TV, Sinclair’s FOX affiliate in Baltimore, Maryland from 1993 to 1999. From 1989 to 1993, Mr. Shapiro served as Corporate National Sales Manager. Prior to that he was a Senior Account Executive for Seltel Inc. in New York City. Mr. Shapiro holds a bachelors’ degree in Economics from the University of Rochester.


Donald H. Thompson has served as Vice President of Human Resources since November 1999 and prior to that as Director of Human Resources from September 1996 until November 1999. Prior to joining Sinclair, Mr. Thompson was Human Resources Manager for NASA at the Goddard Space Flight Center near Washington, D.C. Mr. Thompson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Certificate in Personnel and Industrial Relations from University of Maryland and a Masters of Science in Business/Human Resource & Behavioral Management from Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management.


Thomas I. Waters, III has served as Vice President/Purchasing since November 2002. From 2000 to 2002, he served as Director of Purchasing & Administration. From 1996 to 2000, Mr. Waters was Director of Purchasing. Before joining Sinclair, Mr. Waters served as the Purchasing Manager for NaturaLawn of America. Mr. Waters holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Baltimore and is a member of the Baltimore-Washington Business Travelers Association as well as the National Association of Purchasing Managers.

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/912752/000110465904009785/a04-4166_1def14a.htm#Proposal1


oher investors:
Neuberger Berman, LLC
605 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10158

Gabelli Asset Management, Inc.
One Corporate Center
Rue, NY 10580-1435

Morgan Stanley
1585 Broadway
New York, NY 10036


All directors and executive officers
As a group (11 persons) own

38,571,261 Shares of Class B
Common stock or Percent 96.4%


39,888,389 Shares of Class A
Common stock or 47.2%

Percent of
Total Voting
86.7%

Investment Strategy

Sinclair Ventures, Inc. Sinclair Ventures Inc., (SVI) is our wholly-owned subsidiary that is charged with seeking out business opportunities that have the possibility of equity investment, acquisition or barter transactions. SVI’s primary focus is on businesses that add value related to our core television business. At any given time, we may be in discussions with one or more parties. We cannot be assured that any of these negotiations will lead to definitive agreements or if agreements are reached that any transactions would be consummated and completed.


G1440. Although we have continued to see a decrease in the value of Internet-related and wireless businesses that began in 2000, we continue to explore opportunities for television broadcasters to work with these businesses to increase their profitability and to use the resources of the Internet and wireless outlets to enhance the offerings and value of our broadcast stations. Currently we hold an 89.6% equity interest in G1440 which is a single-source, end-to-end e-Business solutions provider engaged in developing and providing web-based applications. The accounts of G1440 are included in our consolidated financial statements. G1440 provides a variety of services and products which include a homebuilder application, an immigration tracking tool application, a syndicated television program management and scheduling application and a procurement application.


Acrodyne. We have a controlling interest in and a strategic alliance with Acrodyne Communications, Inc., a manufacturer of television transmitters and other television broadcast equipment. The financial statements of Acrodyne have been consolidated for the year ended December 31, 2003.


Summa Holdings, Ltd. On December 30, 2002, we invested $20.0 million in Summa Holdings, Ltd. (Summa) resulting in a 17.5% equity interest. Summa is a holding company which owns automobile dealerships and a leasing company. David D. Smith, our President and Chief Executive Officer, has a controlling interest in Summa and is on the Board of Directors. We have significant influence over the operating and financial policies of Summa by holding a board seat (in addition to the board seat held personally by David D. Smith); therefore, we account for this investment under the equity method of accounting.


http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/912752/000110465904005951/a04-2752_110k.htm


ABC Nightline Pre-emption

The ABC Television Network announced on Tuesday that the Friday, April 30 edition of "Nightline" will consist entirely of Ted Koppel reading aloud the names of U.S. servicemen and women killed in action in Iraq. 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.

There is no organization that holds the members of our military and those soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in service of our country in higher regard than Sinclair Broadcast Group. While Sinclair would support an honest effort to honor the memory of these brave soldiers, we do not believe that is what "Nightline" is doing. Rather, Mr. Koppel and "Nightline" are hiding behind this so-called tribute in an effort to highlight only one aspect of the war effort and in doing so to influence public opinion against the military action in Iraq. Based on published reports, we are aware of the spouse of one soldier who died in Iraq who opposes the reading of her husband's name to oppose our military action. We suspect she is not alone in this viewpoint. As a result, we have decided to preempt the broadcast of "Nightline' this Friday on each of our stations which air ABC programming.

We understand that our decision in this matter may be questioned by some. Before you judge our decision, however, we would ask that you first question Mr. Koppel as to why he chose to read the names of 523 troops killed in combat in Iraq, rather than the names of the thousands of private citizens killed in terrorist attacks since and including the events of September 11, 2001. In his answer, we believe you will find the real motivation behind his action scheduled for this Friday. Unfortunately, we may never know for sure because Mr. Koppel has refused repeated requests from Sinclair's News Central news organization to comment on this Friday's program.



SINCLAIR RESPONDS TO SENATOR MCCAIN

BALTIMORE (April 30, 2004) - The following is a copy of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: SBGI) letter sent today to Senator McCain regarding the Company's decision not to air this evening's episode of "Nightline."

April 30, 2004

Senator John McCain
Chairman
United States Senate Commerce Committee
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator McCain:

I am writing to respond to your letter to me regarding Sinclair Broadcast Group's decision not to air this evening's episode of "Nightline."

Let me begin by saying that no organization more fully supports our military than Sinclair. In no way was our decision intended to show any disrespect to the brave members of our military, particularly those who have sacrificed their lives in service of our country. To the contrary, our decision was based on a desire to stop the misuse of their sacrifice to support an anti-war position with which most, if not all, of these soldiers would not have agreed.

Senator McCain, together with you, I also support the President's decision to go to war in Iraq. Moreover, while I don't disagree that Americans need to understand the costs of war and sacrifices of our military volunteers, I firmly believe that responsible journalism requires that a discussion of these costs must necessarily be accompanied by a description of the benefits of military action and the events that precipitated that action. To those who would accuse Sinclair of censorship, we ask that they consider the daily decisions of network shows like "Nightline" as to what issues to cover and how they are to be presented, decisions that necessarily involve ignoring other issues and points of view that the networks choose not to present to the American public.

Sinclair's news coverage during the last year has reported on all aspects of the war in Iraq, including the tragic loss of lives of military combatants. In fact, we will be replacing "Nightline" this evening with a balanced report addressing both sides of this controversy. It is worth noting that "Nightline" and its host, Ted Koppel, have ignored repeated requests from Sinclair to comment on their decision regarding the content of tonight's program.

It is "Nightline's" failure to present the entire story, however, to which Sinclair objects. "Nightline" is not reporting news; it is doing nothing more than making a political statement. In simply reading the names of our fallen heroes, this program has adopted a strategy employed by numerous anti-war demonstrators who wish to focus attention solely on the cost of war. In fact, lest there be any doubt about "Nightline's" motivation, both Mr. Koppel and "Nightline's" executive producer have acknowledged that tonight's episode was influenced by the Life Magazine article listing the names of dead soldiers in Vietnam, which article was widely credited with furthering the opposition to the Vietnam war and with creating a backlash of public opinion against the members of the U.S. military who had proudly served in that conflict


In closing, I would like to quote for you the words of Captain Kate Blaise of the U.S. Military. Captain Blaise served in Iraq as a member of the 101st Airborne Division and suffered the loss of her husband Mike who was killed while also serving in Iraq. In commenting on exactly the type of practice which "Nightline" intends to employ, Captain Blaise had this to say:

"I was watching the news, watching this anti-war demonstration and they were reading off names of soldiers who had fallen in Iraq and they read off my husband's name. That made me very angry because he very strongly believed in what he was doing and they were using his name for a purpose that he would not have approved of."


I hope that this letter has adequately addressed your concerns and explained why Sinclair has taken this action. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you in greater detail. In addition, if you are available, we would be delighted to provide you with a chance to be part of our program this evening discussing this issue.


Sincerely yours,


David D. Smith

http://www.sbgi.net/

[Renew Deal]

4. List of donations by Sinclair board and staff

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=1498443&mesg_id=1498443&page=


BUTLER, M W MR
REISTERSTOWN,MD 21136 SINCLAIR BROADCASTING GROUPS INC./T 2/4/2004 $250 Bush, George W
BUTLER, M W MR
REISTERSTOWN,MD 21136 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/T.V. EXECU 2/19/2004 $234 Republican National Cmte
BUTLER, M WILLIAM
BALTIMORE,MD 21211 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 3/24/1999 $500 McCain, John
BUTLER, M WILLIAM
BALTIMORE,MD 21218 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 9/25/2000 $300 Republican National Cmte
BUTLER, M WILLIAM
BALTIMORE,MD 21218 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 10/16/2000 $400 Republican National Cmte
BUTLER, M WILLIAM
BALTIMORE,MD 21218 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 11/29/2000 $400 Republican National Cmte
BUTLER, M WILLIAM
BALTIMORE,MD 21218 SINCLAIR BROADCASTING 8/16/1999 $300 Bush, George W
BUTLER, M WILLIAM
BALTIMORE,MD 21218 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 8/23/2000 $200 Republican National Cmte
BUTLER, M WILLIAM
BALTIMORE,MD 21218 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 10/4/2000 $300 Republican National Cmte
BUTLER, M WILLIAM
BALTIMORE,MD 21218 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 10/23/2000 $300 Republican National Cmte
BUTLER, M WILLIAM
BALTIMORE,MD 21218 SINCLAIR BROADCASTING 6/30/1999 $500 Bush, George W
BUTLER, M WILLIAM MR
REISTERSTOWN,MD 21136 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/T.V. EXECU 8/11/2003 $500 Republican National Cmte
BUTLER, M WILLIAM MR
REISTERSTOWN,MD 21136 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/T.V. EXECU 12/17/2003 $300 Republican National Cmte
BUTLER, MWILLIAM MR
BALTIMORE,MD 21218 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/T. V. EXEC 5/21/2001 $400 Republican National Cmte
BUTLER, MWILLIAM MR
BALTIMORE,MD 21218 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/T.V. EXECU 9/17/2001 $270 Republican National Cmte
BUTLER, MWILLIAM MR
REISTERSTOWN,MD 21136 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/T.V. EXECU 7/5/2002 $340 Republican National Cmte
BUTLER, MWILLIAM MR
REISTERSTOWN,MD 21136 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/T.V. EXECU 2/14/2003 $400 Republican National Cmte
BUTLER, MWILLIAM MR
BALTIMORE,MD 21218 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/T. V. EXEC 2/1/2001 $400 Republican National Cmte
BUTLER, MWILLIAM MR
BALTIMORE,MD 21218 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/T.V. EXECU 8/20/2001 $200 Republican National Cmte
BUTLER, MWILLIAM MR
REISTERSTOWN,MD 21136 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/T.V. EXECU 2/22/2002 $225 Republican National Cmte
BUTLER, MWILLIAM MR
REISTERSTOWN,MD 21136 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/T.V. EXECU 12/30/2002 $400 Republican National Cmte
CONFER, KERBY E
STEVENSON,MD 21153 SINCLAIR BROADCAST 3/24/1999 $500 McCain, John
DRAKE, BARRY P
BALTIMORE,MD 21208 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 6/8/1999 $500 Bush, George W
HEYDE, ROBERT HAROLD MR
NEW ALBANY,OH 43054 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/TELEVISION 9/16/2003 $2,000 Bush, George W
HYMAN, MARK E MR
COCKEYSVILLE,MD 21030 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC./VP - 12/29/2000 $2,061 Republican State Central Cmte/Maryland
MILLAR, CRAIG
BRENTWOOD,TN 37027 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 6/22/1999 $1,000 Bush, George W
OSTROFF, NATHANIEL
ANNAPOLIS,MD 21401 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC 7/23/1999 $1,000 Bush, George W
SMITH, DAVID
BALTIMORE,MD 21211 SINCLAIR BROADCASTING/PRESIDENT 6/29/2002 $1,000 Ruppersberger, Dutch
SMITH, DAVID
BALTIMORE,MD 21211 SINCLAIR BROADCASTING GROUP 3/29/1999 $1,000 Ehrlich, Robert Jr
SMITH, DAVID D
BALTIMORE,MD 21211 SINCLAIR BROADCASTING 5/31/2000 $1,000 Burns, Conrad
SMITH, DAVID D
BALTIMORE,MD 21211 SINCLAIR BROADCASTING GROUP 3/24/1999 $1,000 McCain, John
SMITH, DAVID D MR
BALTIMORE,MD 21211 SINCLAIR BROADCASTING/BROADCASTER 10/6/1999 $1,000 Gore, Al
SMITH, DAVID D MR
COCKEYSVILLE,MD 21030 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/EXECUTIVE 12/8/2003 $2,000 Bush, George W
SMITH, DUNCAN
TOWSON,MD 21204 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 12/17/1999 $1,000 Giuliani, Rudolph W
SMITH, FRED G
BALTIMORE,MD 21211 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 9/23/1999 $1,500 National Republican Congressional Cmte
SMITH, FREDERICK
LUTHERVILLE,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 9/30/2000 $900 Ehrlich, Robert Jr
SMITH, FREDERICK
LUTHERVILLE TIMONI,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 4/11/2000 $1,000 Ensign, John
SMITH, FREDERICK
COCKEYSVILLE HUNT,MD 21030 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/BROADCASTI 2/22/2002 $5,000 Republican Pty of Fla Fed Campaign Acct
SMITH, FREDERICK
LUTHERVILLE,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 3/29/1999 $1,000 Ehrlich, Robert Jr
SMITH, FREDERICK
LUTHERVILLE TIMONI,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 12/17/1999 $1,000 Giuliani, Rudolph W
SMITH, FREDERICK
COCKEYSVILLE,MD 21030 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC 7/13/1999 $5,000 Sinclair Broadcast Group
SMITH, FREDERICK G
LUTHERVILLE,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 5/12/2003 $500 Scott, Marvin B
SMITH, FREDERICK G
COCKEYSVILLE,MD 21030 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 1/22/2001 $1,000 National Republican Senatorial Cmte
SMITH, FREDERICK G
LUTHERVILLE TIMONI,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCASTING/DENTIST 9/17/2002 $1,000 Bentley, Helen Delich
SMITH, FREDERICK G
HUNT VALLEY,MD 21030 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 3/31/2000 $3,000 Republican State Central Cmte/Maryland
SMITH, FREDERICK G
LUTHERVILLE TIMONI,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 3/24/1999 $1,000 McCain, John
SMITH, FREDERICK G
LUTHERVILLE,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/BROADCASTI 10/16/2001 $1,000 Harris, Katherine


SMITH, FREDERICK G
LUTHERVILLE TIMONI,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCASTING/DENTIST 9/17/2002 $1,000 Bentley, Helen Delich
SMITH, FREDERICK G
LUTHARVILE,MD SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 8/28/2000 $1,000 American PAC/Bellevue, WA
SMITH, FREDERICK G
LUTHERVILLE,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC 6/21/1999 $1,000 Bush, George W
SMITH, FREDERICK G
LUTHERVILLE,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCASTING 4/15/2000 $1,000 Burns, Conrad
SMITH, FREDERICK G DR
LUTHERVILLE,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 4/20/1999 $5,000 Republican National Cmte
SMITH, FREDERICK G DR
LUTHERVILLE,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 9/13/2000 $5,000 Republican National Cmte
SMITH, FREDERICK G DR
LUTHERVILLE,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 10/4/2000 $5,000 RNC/Repub National State Elections Cmte
SMITH, FREDERICK G DR
LUTHERVILLE,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 11/15/2001 $25,000 RNC/Repub National State Elections Cmte
SMITH, FREDERICK G DR
LUTHERVILLE,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 9/27/1999 $500 Republican National Cmte
SMITH, FREDERICK G DR
LUTHERVILLE,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 9/29/2000 $80,000 RNC/Repub National State Elections Cmte
SMITH, FREDERICK G DR
LUTHERVILLE,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 10/5/2000 $15,000 Republican National Cmte
SMITH, FREDERICK G MR
COCKEYSVILLE,MD 21030 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC./BUSIN 12/8/2003 $2,000 Bush, George W
SMITH, FREDERICK G MR
HUNT VALLEY,MD 21080 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/BUSINESSMA 2/17/2004 $25,000 Republican National Cmte
SMITH, FREDERICK G MR
HUNT VALLEY,MD 21080 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/BUSINESSMA 10/1/2003 $25,000 Republican National Cmte
SMITH, FREDERICK G MR
LUTHERVILLE,MD 21093 SINCLAIR BROADCASTING/BROADCASTER 10/6/1999 $1,000 Gore, Al
SMITH, FREDRICK
, SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC 9/23/2002 $5,000 Sinclair Broadcast Group
SMITH, FREDRICK
,MD SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC 9/23/2002 $5,000 Sinclair Broadcast Group
SMITH, J DUNCAN
TOWSON,MD 21204 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 3/24/1999 $1,000 McCain, John
SMITH, J DUNCAN
TOWSON,MD 21204 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC 6/21/1999 $1,000 Bush, George W
SMITH, J DUNCAN
TOWSON,MD 21204 SINCLAIR BROADCASTING 4/15/2000 $1,000 Burns, Conrad
SMITH, J DUNCAN
COCKEYSVILLE,MD 21030 SINCLAIR BROADCASTING/CEO 11/13/2003 $1,000 Ruppersberger, Dutch
SMITH, J DUNCAN
COCKEYSVILLE,MD 21030 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 3/29/1999 $1,000 Ehrlich, Robert Jr
SMITH, J DUNCAN
TOWSON,MD 21204 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 4/11/2000 $1,000 Ensign, John
SMITH, J DUNCAN MR
TOWSON,MD 21204 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/VICE PRESI 10/6/1999 $1,000 Gore, Al
SMITH, J MR
COCKEYSVILLE,MD 21030 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/PARTNER 11/1/1999 $250 Bradley, Bill
SMITH, JULIAN DUNCAN MR
COCKEYSVILLE,MD 21030 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/EXECUTIVE 12/8/2003 $2,000 Bush, George W
SMITH, ROBERT
GLYNDON,MD 21071 SINCLAIR BROADCASTING 2/26/1999 $1,000 Ehrlich, Robert Jr
SMITH, ROBERT E
GLYNDON,MD 21071 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC 6/21/1999 $1,000 Bush, George W
SMITH, ROBERT E MR
GLYNDON,MD 21071 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC./BROAD 10/28/2003 $2,000 Bush, George W
SMITH, ROBERT E MR
GLYNDON,MD 21071 SINCLAIR BROADCASTING/BROADCAST EXE 10/6/1999 $1,000 Gore, Al
SMITH, ROBERT E MR
GLYNDON,MD 21071 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC. 5/19/1999 $1,000 McCain, John
SMITH, ROBIN A MRS
BALTIMORE,MD 21209 SINCLAIR BROADCAST 6/13/2003 $500 McCain, John
SMITH, ROBIN A MRS
BALTIMORE,MD 21209 SINCLAIR BROADCAST/VICE PRESIDENT O 2/10/2000 $250 McCain, John
TALAMANTES, PATRICK J
BALTIMORE,MD 21210 SINCLAIR BROADCASTING 3/24/1999 $250 McCain, John
OSTROFF, NATHANIEL
ANNAPOLIS,MD 21401 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC 7/23/1999 $1,000 Bush, George W
AMY, DAVID A
BALTIMORE,MD 21236 ATTORNEY 6/30/1999 $1,000 Bush, George W
PARKS, DELBERT R MR III
MANCHESTER,MD 21102 SINCLAIR 9/13/1999 $200 McCain, John

To Democrats: $0 (0%)
To Republicans: $39,400 (100%)
Total: $39,400

Contributor Occupation Date Amount Recipient
SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INC
COCKEYSVILLE, MD 1/18/2001 $14,400 Republican National Cmte
SMITH, FREDERICK G DR
LUTHERVILLE, MD SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP 11/15/2001 $25,000 Republican National Cmte

[G_j]

5. amazing list

thanks!

[Norquist Nemesis]

9. Mr. Smith went to Washington

and gave at least $75,000 to them in the process.

[SoCalDem]

6. I found their employee list and compensation info online

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1504740

[G_j]

7. kick

:thumbsup:

[Stone_Spirits]

8. kick