KOPPEL MAKES THE CALL: ABC SET TO AIR NAMES OF WAR DEAD [Drudge]

Hartford Courant via Drudge ^ | April 30, 2004 | Liz Halloran

[lainie]

"Nightline" divides audience

HARTFORD, Conn. - (KRT) - ABC newsman Ted Koppel's plan to devote tonight's "Nightline" to reading the names of the more than 700 U.S. servicemen and women killed in action in Iraq has stirred anger and praise, and prompted one media company to bar its stations from airing the program.

Maryland-based Sinclair Broadcast Group said Thursday that the unique program is politically motivated and ordered its seven ABC affiliates, including WGGB in Springfield, Mass., not to air it.

"While the Sinclair Broadcast Group honors the memory of the brave members of the military who have sacrificed their lives in the service of our country, we do not believe such political statements should be disguised as news content," said Barry Faber, Sinclair's counsel, in a prepared statement issued in response to a request for comment.

The controversy comes as the American public is getting a look at photographs of flag-draped coffins returning from Iraq, and while a national debate is underway over the Bush administration's attempt to keep such images from the public eye.

. . .

As to what ABC viewers in Springfield will see tonight in place of "Nightline" and the list of war dead, Westerkamp said: "I don't know yet. We'll have something. Maybe a sitcom."

[syriacus]

You have to wonder about these media sickos who get excited by deaths and coffins, and who wax orgasmic over images of Americans being mutilated.

Is it a coincidence that they are doing this on April 30, which is Walpurgisnacht, the night pagans believed witches hold an orgy?

[somemoreequalthanothers]

Did you manage to watch the Drudge episode of Washington Journal? I thought he had a great performance. Shame he does not do that type of thing more often.

[lainie]

I did catch it. He was spot-on, as usual. I suppose it's a tradition now, to have Matt on with Brian Lamb the week of the W.H. Correspondents Dinner. I look forward to it every year. I, too, wish he'd do that sort of thing more often. It's always a refreshing break from the usual blowhard punditry we see on TV.

If you listen to Drudge on the radio, come around tomorrow night.. we get together online to chat during the show.