OK... not really (at least -- not that we
know of!)
Hoping against all hope that this doesn't get lost in a busy day of Fitzmas celebrations, Miers/SCOTUS opinions, etc ---
I've got a good friend that could use your help, and as a bonus, in a cause I think all of us can appreciate.
You might remember near the height of the 2004 election, Sinclair broadcasting, which owns dozens of mid-market TV stations across the nation, chose to run a Bushie Infomercial/political hack piece and give the Swift Bobbleheads a whole hour to savage John Kerry with all manner of psycho-babble about the reasons behind Kerry's service in Vietnam.
Jon Lieberman, who headed up their Washington Bureau, took umbrage to using the Bureau's reporters for such a blatant hit piece with no redeeming news value. He went public with his complaints after he got nowhere inside the corporation. He was fired. He moved on.... Or at least tried to.
Devtob diaried this story quite well last week HERE - as with so many worthy diaries - I missed it. It's well worth re-reading - it's a very good summation of the matter, as are some posts starting here from Josh Marshall on the matter.
I've known Jon for more than 10 years - we've traded a few e-mails recently on the matter, and the only correction I can add to the excellent work already reported is that figure Sinclair is seeking in "compensation" is actually closer to 90K, rather than the 16K that's seems to be showing up in most stories. Beyond that - yes, it's entirely true. Sinclair is doing everything they can to try to bury Jon.
I went to college with Jon, we joined the same fraternity, we lived in the same house for 2 years, I even served as fraternity VP when he served as President. I can tell you in ALL honesty - to this day, I couldn't nail Jon's standing on the political spectrum. It's not that politics were never discussed - just that Jon always seemed more or less apolitical.
I can tell, however, he's a good man. A good man doesn't deserve the crap a powerful media outlet with an axe to grind is heaping on him. He certainly doesn't deserve this harassment when it's predicated entirely on his "doing the right thing."
Jon was one of those rare souls that stepped onto a college campus and from day one, knew what he wanted to do in life (Hell, 10+ years later, I'm STILL trying to figure out what I want to do!). He wanted to work in television news - and he still does. The fact that he saw his job as one of pure journalism rather than pushing agenda driven drivel only makes the fit between him and his field that much better. After all - I don't think I'm alone in wishing the media the would just do its job -- gather the news, investigate the news, report the news -- the truth needs no agenda ; and as much I love Randi Rhodes, Al Franken, and other left-leaning media types, America is a better place when its media delivers the news, rather than some set of talking points.
Jon fully expected that his job would be in jeopardy when he took on Sinclair - right or wrong - Sinclair was his employer, and it's awfully hard to find any employer that places the "right thing to do" above its own interests. To this day - he doesn't regret the decision.
Unfortunately, doing the right thing doesn't always pay very well, and he's still got a family to support -- with a backbreaking lawsuit hanging over him -- to say nothing of a career he'd still very much like to have.
Josh Marshall mentioned that he'd been contacted by folks wishing to donate to a legal defense fund. I broached the idea to Jon - and at least for now, he doesn't seem to be interested, if for no other reason than he truly wants to "move on" and get back to work (Imagine that -- a member of the media more interested in doing his job than becoming a cause celebre! One wishes Judy Miller and the NYT would pay attention to the lesson.).
He is, however, looking for legal help. With the vast array of Kossaks - perhaps someone knows of an attorney in the DC/Maryland area that specializes in labor and contract law - especially in the area of non-compete covenants. If you do - please drop me an e-mail (you can find it in my profile) - and I'll pass the contact along. He's hoping to get some pro bono help, if at all possible.
As with any litigation of this stripe - details are dicey to share publicly (in fact - he's been fairly tightlipped even among the friends that have been in touch with him). I'll certainly share any further and future details that can be shared, of course.
Even if you don't have a enterprising attorney contact to share -- I think Devtob's diary suggestion about pressure on Sinclair, its advertisers, etc can be a great help. Nothing makes the pound of flesh Sinclair is after less worthwhile than a corresponding loss in revenue and bad press. Additionally, I'm composing a letter to my senators and congressional reps asking for some publicity and words of support in the matter -- and I'd encourage anyone willing and able to do the same.
You can contact Sinclair directly here. See if there's a Sinclair station in your market here. Let 'em know your displeasure, let 'em know you're contacting advertisers, let 'em know you'll be contacting your elected officials, and generally doing everything you can get the same pound of flesh from their corporate hides that they're trying to take from Jon.
You can quickly find e-mail and snail mail addresses for your Senators here and look up your rep here. While I don't think there's much noise to be made in arena of regulatory action -- it never hurts to remind congressmen and women on the committees that oversee matters concerning the public airwaves that there are certain responsibilities to having a broadcast license. The House Subcommitee on Telecommunications and the Internet can be reached here. I think the appropriate Senate committee would be the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation here. There's also, of course -- the FCC, here.
Obviously -- letters to your local editor, calls and letters to local radio and TV outlets (especially if your market is served by a Sinclair owned station) always help.