SINCLAIR BOWS TO PRESSURE... STOCK HITS 52-WEEK LOW

David Smith's business sense might have been partially blinded by his political leanings. Maybe not, but they are now airing only part of the controversial "Stolen Honor" film, where former U.S. prisoners of war blamed their years of captivity on activists such as John Kerry.

Broadcaster backs off anti-Kerry film

BALTIMORE, Oct 20, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- A 62-station U.S. television group has backed down on plans to air a film attacking Sen. John Kerry's military record. The Sinclair Broadcast Group, based in the Baltimore area, made the announcement Tuesday, saying it would instead air only extracts from the film "Stolen Honor" as part of a news special. Democrats had complained to three federal agencies about the Sinclair special, noting chief executive David Smith and his three brothers have contributed heavily to President Bush and the Republican Party. Smith said the flare-up of opposition had been "trying" for the company. "The company and many of its executives have endured personal attacks of the vilest nature, as well as calls on our advertisers and our viewers to boycott our stations and on our shareholders to sell their stock," Smith said in a statement. Andrew Jay Schwartzman, president of the nonprofit Media Access Project, called the Sinclair move "a surprising cave-in" and said the 62-station television company "clearly felt a lot of pressure and this is an attempt to find a face-saving way out," the Washington Post reported Wednesday Copyright 2004 by United Press International.