'CONTRARY TO THE PUBLIC INTEREST'? WHOSE INTEREST?

What the fuck?

NewsBlues.com is reporting [no free link] that Sinclair Broadcast Group has ordered its ABC-affiliated stations not to carry tomorrow's "Nightline," which will air the names and photos of soldiers who have been killed in combat in Iraq.

Sinclair General Counsel Barry Faber tells the site: "We find it to be contrary to the public interest."

The boycott will affect eight ABC-affiliated Sinclair stations.

I'm the public; I'm interested. What about you?

From what I can find, seems like they're second-tier stations. The website states, "Sinclair's television group includes 20 FOX, 19 WB, 6 UPN, 8 ABC, 3 CBS, 4 NBC affiliates and 2 independent stations and reaches approximately 24% of all U.S. television households."

If you'd like to share your concerns about them shutting 24% of stations out of the national discussion, you can let them know:

Corporate Headquarters
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
10706 Beaver Dam Road
Hunt Valley, Maryland 21030
410-568-1500 (Main Telephone)
410-568-1533 (Main Fax)

Investor Relations Contact
Lucy A. Rutishauser
VP Corporate Finance and
Corporate Treasurer
investor@sbgi.net

Sales Questions
Darren Shapiro
VP Sales
410-568-1500

-or-

Jeff Sleete
VP Marketing
410-568-1500

Perhaps this is why it's against the "public" interest:

SMITH, DAVID D MR
COCKEYSVILLE,MD 21030

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/EXECUTIVE

12/8/2003

$2,000

Bush, George W


SMITH, FREDERICK G MR
HUNT VALLEY,MD 21080


SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/BUSINESSMA

10/1/2003

$25,000

Republican National Cmte

SMITH, FREDERICK G MR
HUNT VALLEY,MD 21080

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP/BUSINESSMA

2/17/2004

$25,000

Republican National Cmte

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