First it was the Democrats threatening Sinclair over its plan to broadcast an anti-Kerry documentary. Now the Republicans are following suit by filing a complaint against a couple radio show hosts who have been attacking a Republican member of the House and have endorsed his Democratic challenger.
According to the L.A. Daily News,
In a complaint to the Federal Elections Commission, the National Republican Campaign Committee accused radio station KFI-AM (640) co-hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou of “criminal behavior” for attacking Rep. David Dreier, R-Glendora, and endorsing his Democratic opponent, Cynthia Matthews.
By criticizing Dreier’s positions on immigration, promoting a “Fire Dreier” campaign and making on-air appeals for voters to elect Matthews, the NRCC said, the hosts gave Matthews an unlawful corporate, in-kind contribution of more than $25,000.
This is exactly the claim made by Democrats about Sinclair, and is an inevitable outcome of the ridiculous McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform. Reframe speech as a monetary issue, as demgagogues like John McCain repeatedly do, and there’s little room for First Amendment niceties.
Source:
Action filed vs. radio hosts over talk attacks. Lisa Friedman, L.A. Daily News, October 29, 2004.