Far left columnist Eric Alterman is outraged that the FCC allowed Sinclair Broadcasting to air Stolen Valor.

What the public saw was the face of a conservative media corporation that had grown so confident under Powell's Big Media-friendly reign that it no longer felt the need to even make the pretense of abiding by the FCC's fairness rules. Despite the fact that watchdog groups and 38 Democratic congressmen demanded that the FCC consider whether Sinclair's actions violated the Communications Act of 1934, which states that for a broadcaster's license to be renewed, the commission must find that "the public interest, convenience, and necessity would be served thereby," Powell told reporters after the FCC's monthly meeting in Washington, "Don't look to us to block the airing of a program," according to a Reuters report.

What was actually said was that the FCC could not block a program on no other basis than advance reports of its content.

Obviously Alterman didn't bother to watch because what Sinclair actually aired was pretty balanced. In fact, it gave more of Kerry's side than the anti-Kerry side. Only short clips of Stolen Valor were shown.

The FCC's judgement was upheld.

What if it had gone the other way? These things cut both ways. If an anti-Kery show can be blocked, could an anti-Bush segment on 60 Minutes be allowed?