Air time for both sides

To the editor:

In recent days, Speak Out comments have criticized Sinclair Broadcast Group and KBSI-TV for airing "A POW Story." They accuse Sinclair of showing bias against John Kerry. Yet a statement on the company's Web site says the Kerry campaign actively participated in discussions before the film was aired and also had representatives who spoke during the program. The Web site also states that Sinclair owns 15 stations that are affiliated with ABC, NBC or CBS. All of those networks have aired program segments in which Kerry has been allowed to present his views without much scrutiny. CBS even went so far as to air bogus documents regarding President Bush's National Guard service.

Sinclair and KBSI are privately owned businesses that are allowed to air their own views as long as they do not slander a person. Kerry has made an issue of his service in Vietnam, and the news media hasn't scrutinized the negative comments he made before Congress regarding the actions of America's troops during the war. I thank Kerry for his service to our country, and I defend his right to criticize the war in Vietnam. However, I also feel that other Vietnam vets have earned their right to be heard if they feel Kerry isn't being completely honest about his service. By airing this program, Sinclair was doing its job as a broadcaster to present both sides of the issue.

MARK BECK, St. Louis