Politician Threatens Radio Stations over Ads

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A lawyer for Republican state Senator Chris Walters (pictured) has sent a “cease and desist” letter to several Charleston West Virginia radio stations demanding they stop running ads that he says falsely claim Walters testified on behalf of a convicted child molester.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports Walters saying “This is character assassination. It’s an ad done to trick and mislead the people of West Virginia.” The cease and desist letter calls the radio ad “misleading, fraudulent, confusing, libelous and made with actual malice.”

At a news conference Walters’ lawyer said, “It’s a clear violation of all FCC rules as it relates to deception in advertising,” Webb said during the news conference. I’m prepared to go to war in the courts for Senator Walters, if need be.” The attorney said he would file a lawsuit and request a preliminary injunction to block the attack ad from continuing to air, if the radio stations refuse to pull it.

The letters were sent to West Virginia Radio, Bristol Broadcasting and L&M Broadcasting. The stations were not contacted or quoted in the newspaper story. We will have a follow-up later today to get their side of the story. A union-funded group called West Virginia Family Values paid for the ad.

 

 

1 COMMENT

  1. Here is another example of the massive abuses facing broadcasters in that licensees are prohibited from editing substantial political advertising which must be carried as ordered regardless how obscene or preposterous it may be. Obviously, the licensee is helpless in such cases, if he edits the ad he is in violation, if he declines the ad, he is held in violation for political discrimination. Perhaps it’s time to address the insanity of CFR part 73?
    Ken Benner, Senior research analyst
    Coalition for Transparency…… (Re: CFR 73)

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