Democratic Party Urges Governor Ehrlich to ask Sinclair to air Nightline

Annapolis--The Sinclair Broadcast Group of Hunt Valley plans to remove ABC’s “Nightline” from all seven of Sinclair’s affiliate broadcasts. Tonight, “Nightline” will honor hundreds of American soldiers killed in Iraq and read each name on the air. Sinclair accused Nightline of “disguising political speech as news content” and said the show is “motivated by a political agenda.” Sinclair’s partners, directors and executives are substantial contributors to President Bush; and network owner, David D. Smith is a close friend of Governor Ehrlich’s. On at least five occasions then Congressman Ehrlich wrote Federal Communications Commission officials to persuade the FCC to make policy decisions favorable to Sinclair. During the 2002 campaign, Sinclair made an in-kind donation of $ 4,000 to Ehrlich and $ 3,700 to the committee of his running mate, Michael S. Steele. Ehrlich also made several campaign trips on a luxury helicopter owned by the Smith family. Subsequently, a motion was filed with the Federal Communications Commission which contended Sinclair Broadcast Group tried to "corruptly influence" Maryland's gubernatorial election. “Sinclair has a dubious history of improper involvement with politics and once again they have crossed the line,” said Chairman Ike Leggett, a Vietnam veteran. “By attempting to deny over a million Americans the right to view a tribute to our American heroes, Sinclair has taken partisan censorship to a whole new low. The “Nightline” broadcast is not about politics; it is about honoring the memory of those who gave their life serving our country.” “We are asking Governor Ehrlich to help us honor the men and women who have been killed in Iraq by picking up the phone and asking Sinclair to air Nightline,” Leggett said. “Governor Ehrlich should publicly reject political censorship and use his close relationship to urge Mr. Smith and Sinclair broadcasting to do the right thing and honor our troops.” The Sinclair stations affected by the decision are in Asheville, N.C., Charleston, W.Va., Columbus, Ohio, Pensacola, Fla., Springfield, Mass., St. Louis, and Winston-Salem, NC. ###