Sinclair fires critic of Kerry film

The Washington bureau chief of Sinclair Broadcast Group was fired Monday after accusing the media company of “indefensible” conduct for planning to air a movie attacking Sen. John Kerry’s Vietnam record in the coming days.

Jon Leiberman, who also was the lead political reporter for the 62-station television chain, told CNN on Monday night he was terminated for his criticism, which was quoted in Monday’s Baltimore Sun. He spoke out, he said, because “I feel so strongly that our credibility is at issue here. … I feel our company is trying to sway this election.”

The Baltimore-based firm, which has drawn harsh criticism from Kerry and the Democrats, found itself explaining why it had dismissed a top journalist for speaking to the media.

Sinclair Vice President Mark Hyman said in a statement: “Everyone is entitled to their personal opinion, including Jon Leiberman. We are disappointed that Jon’s political views caused him to speak to the press about company business.” The statement also called him a “disgruntled employee.”

Leiberman, 29, called that characterization “completely unfair,” telling CNN’s Paula Zahn that Sinclair had promoted him twice and had treated him well until he criticized plans, at a meeting Sunday, to have Sinclair’s news division handle the upcoming hourlong special.

Leiberman told the Sun’s David Folkenflik that the program – which is to include the anti-Kerry film “Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal” – is “biased political propaganda with clear intentions to sway this election.” The movie, which a Kerry spokesman has called “a 42-minute attack ad” in demanding equal time for the Democratic campaign, features 17 former prisoners of war accusing Kerry of betraying his country – and, in some cases, extending their captivity – by testifying in 1971 about U.S. atrocities in Vietnam. Leiberman said there was no way for Sinclair, which owns the nation’s largest collection of network affiliates, to verify the allegations. “Call it ‘commentary,’ call it an ‘editorial,’ … but don’t call it ‘news,’ ” he said. Leiberman acknowledged that he was violating Sinclair policy by giving an unauthorized interview and revealing part of what had happened at a company meeting, but he said he felt he had no choice but to speak out.

“I knew I had nothing to gain by doing it and everything to lose,” he said. “I need to be able to sleep at night.”