That pesky liberal media bias

Valley broadcaster donates airtime to aid Republicans

Attempting to boost Republican Party prospects, the owner of a chain of Central Valley television and radio stations has donated $325,000 in air time for GOP candidates in many of the state's hottest legislative elections.

The contribution by Harry J. Pappas comes in the final days of campaigning, and those involved in the campaigns could not recall another instance in which a California media mogul donated time on public airwaves for advertisements to benefit one party over another.

Critics say the contribution is a clear attempt to sway close elections, is likely to raise new questions of media bias, and violates federal law requiring broadcasting companies to provide equal time to political candidates.

"They're the public's airwaves," said attorney Karen Getman, who represents the Assembly Democratic Caucus and formerly served as chairwoman of the state's Fair Political Practices Commission. "You're not free to give them to one side in a partisan debate."

Democrats released a letter Monday demanding equal time on Pappas' stations. But Mike Angelos, spokesman for Harry Pappas and his media chain, Pappas Telecasting Companies, said the legality of the $325,000 in contributions was researched thoroughly.

Rather than give away free air time, which is illegal under federal law, Pappas Telecasting Companies essentially is footing the bill itself for broadcasting minutes it is setting aside for GOP candidates, Angelos said.

"We're not denying [Democrats] any opportunity," he said. "They have the opportunity to purchase an equivalent amount of air time."

Now it's just getting silly. What was I saying a while back about the difference between the bias of individual reporters and institutional bias? Oh yeah. He who pays the piper...

Via Atrios.