News Top Sinclair newsman denounces employer over Kerry documentary

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Jon Leiberman, the Washington bureau chief for Sinclair Broadcast Group, publicly criticized the company's decision to air a program featuring controversial allegations against Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry related to his anti-war activism. Leiberman described the program as biased political propaganda intended to influence the election, emphasizing the importance of credibility in journalism. He expressed distress over the situation, attributing the program's content and timing to the influence of Sinclair's leadership, particularly commentator Mark Hyman and CEO David D. Smith. Despite efforts from colleagues to balance the program, Leiberman deemed the last-minute decision to air it indefensible. He also mentioned that he informed Sinclair's vice president for news that he would not participate, which raised concerns about potential job repercussions. The discussion reflects broader concerns about media integrity and the influence of corporate interests on news coverage, likening the situation to historical instances of media manipulation by powerful figures.
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.sinclair18oct18,0,3085177.story?coll=sfla-newsnation-front , but that site requires registration.
The Washington bureau chief for Maryland-based Sinclair Broadcast Group's news division angrily denounced his employer last night for plans to air an hourlong program that is to include incendiary allegations against Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry for his anti-war activism three decades ago.

"It's biased political propaganda, with clear intentions to sway this election," said Jon Leiberman, Sinclair's lead political reporter for more than a year. "For me, it's not about right or left -- it's about what's right or wrong in news coverage this close to an election." ... "At the end of the day, though, all you really have is your credibility."
Leiberman said he was anguished by his decision to speak out. But, he said, the influence of commentator Mark Hyman and Chief Executive David D. Smith has been devastating. "There is going to be a concerted effort on the part of my colleagues to make this as balanced a program as they can," Leiberman said. "But the selection of the material -- dumping it on the news department, and giving them four days, and running it this close to the election -- it's indefensible, in my opinion."

Leiberman said he told Sinclair's vice president for news, Joseph DeFeo, that he would not contribute to the program and that DeFeo suggested the reporter could lose his job.
 
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Josh Marshall reports that http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2004_10_17.php#003714 .
I give this guy a lot of credit. I feel bad for him. And I really hope someone picks him up quickly.

But my strongest impression is simply the outlandish quality of this drama. It's like we're a banana republic suddenly. Or it's like the late 19th century in some unruly part of this country where the local papers and most of the legislators were owned by some railroad boss or some similar honcho or tycoon. Only now the rot and swindlerdom of it all is magnified by cutting edge technology.
 
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What a sham(e) !
 

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