False Retreat on ‘Stolen Honor’

Re “Sinclair Retreats on Kerry Film,” Oct. 20: Sinclair Broadcast Group’s decision to reduce the number of stations airing a minimally watered down version of “Stolen Honor” hardly appears to be a retreat. Sinclair’s action is more aptly compared to a calculated chess move -- sacrificing one piece to protect another. By showing only a portion of what is obviously commentary, not news, Sinclair hopes to sufficiently shield its true objective of preserving the at-risk king. With the rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press come the responsibility of providing equal access to all sides of an issue and an honest disclosure of what is news versus opinion. That is especially true of organizations such as Sinclair, which have been granted the benefit of operating multiple outlets in a single market.

Sid Greenwald

Pacific Palisades