Posted on 10/26/2004 5:06:25 PM PDT by Cultural Jihad
The contribution by Harry J. Pappas comes in the final days of campaigning, and those involved in the campaigns couldn't recall another instance in which a California media mogul donated time on public airwaves for advertisements to benefit one party over another.
Critics say the contribution is a clear attempt to sway close elections, is likely to raise new questions of media bias, and violates federal law requiring broadcasting companies to provide equal time to political candidates.
"They're the public's airwaves," said attorney Karen Getman, who represents the Assembly Democratic Caucus and formerly served as chairwoman of the state's Fair Political Practices Commission. "You're not free to give them to one side in a partisan debate."
Democrats released a letter Monday demanding equal time on Pappas' stations.
But Mike Angelos, a spokesman for Harry Pappas and his media chain, Pappas Telecasting Cos., said the legality of the $325,000 in contributions was researched thoroughly.
Rather than give away free airtime, which is illegal under federal law, Pappas Telecasting Cos. essentially is footing the bill for broadcasting minutes it is setting aside for GOP candidates, Angelos said.
"We're not denying (Democrats) any opportunity," he said. "They have the opportunity to purchase an equivalent amount of airtime."
The $325,000 in airtime apparently targets many of the state's most contentious races, including those of Democratic Sen. Mike Machado and Republican Stockton Mayor Gary Podesto in the 5th Senate District, and . . .
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Machado vs. Podesto.
The corrupt vs. the crooked.
Thank God I don't live in their district. Unfortunatly I live so close that I get to enjoy all of their mud slinging, lie filled campaign commercials. IMO, neither one of them should get the seat.
A good start but just a drop in the bucket. 80 percent of the Nation's newspapers give away their front page to the dems. This guy is giving away ad space on inside pages. There is a difference but his heart is in the right place.
I really should read more closely BEFORE posting....
<[:o)))
Thanks for posting this.
I read about this in the Fresno Bee this morning. I wonder why it is okay for CBS, NBC, ABC and CNN to show bias but it is a different story for any conservative media outlets?
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