Reply from ABC affliate in Austin to my e-mail. NOT ENOUGH!

[efhmc]

It is NOT good enough to defend propagana with this tiny disclaimer:

"I have received several emails concerning the dramatization, "The Path to 9/11" and our network, ABC, has issued the following response for your review and consideration:

Statement from an ABC Spokesperson
The Path to 9/11 is a dramatization, not a documentary, drawn from a variety of sources, including the 9/11 commission report, other published materials and from personal interviews. The events that lead to 9/11 originally sparked great debate, so its not surprising that a movie surrounding those events has revived the debate. The attacks were a pivotal moment in our history that should never be forgotten and its fitting that the discussion continues.

The following disclaimer will air throughout the movie:
The following movie is a dramatization that is drawn from a variety of sources including the 9/11 Commission Report and other published materials, and from personal interviews. The movie is not a documentary. For dramatic and narrative purposes, the movie contains fictionalized scenes, composite and representative characters and dialogue, as well as time compression."

Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns."

Patti C. Smith
President and General Manager
KVUE-TV

My E-Mail
Fictionalization or propagandizement of an historical event is wrong and creates a clear intent to manipulate people. I do not know why you are producing a docudrama of 9/11 but unless it is changed or clearly labeled as containing fictionalized events, you will be producing a program that is designed to mislead and will be denying the faith that has been placed in you as a public airway. I will not be watching this program (or any other programs on ABC) unless the corrections to fictionalized events are made and/or a label identifying "The Path to 911" as a work of fiction is clearly displayed.

[EarlG]

1. That's apparently the stock reply KVUE-TV is sending to everyone

See:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2064148

[redqueen]

3. It's the same thing I was told on the phone yesterday

by a rep from the D/FW affiliate.

Unless the disclaimer says: "This program includes distortions and lies and does not reflect what actually happened in a number of scenes." then the public is not being accurately informed about what they'll be watching.

[efhmc]

6. May I include that with my next e-mail?

[redqueen]

8. Please do...

:)

[efhmc]

7. Hope it was okay to use your well done phrase, as I am sending

another e-mail now.

[redqueen]

9. I hope the woman I spoke with yesterday found it as effective. n/t

:hi:

[efhmc]

4. Oh, I did not think it was anything special or insightful and I am

sure others across the country are receiving the exact same claptrap.

[City Lights]

2. Lucky you!

I got the same POS from my local affiliate, but mine couldn't even bother signing her/his name to it. I've since sent two additional emails back to the sender.

[efhmc]

5. Good idea. They will not be able to shrug off the public with stock

answers if we keep responding. Thanks for the good idea.

[redqueen]

11. And in multiple ways... call, e-mail, fax... n/t

[sandnsea]

10. I got "out of the office"

until Monday - so we'll see what they say at my local affiliate then I guess.

[efhmc]

16. Can you send an e-mail to another close station?

[LynneSin]

12. Not like they're putting doomed lovers who met during 9/11

like Titanic or Pearl Harbor

They're taking real events evolving real people and straying far away from what was actually documented by the 9/11 Commission

[efhmc]

14. This "docudrama" has been done to mislead and for no other

reason.

[napi21]

13. I'm hoping that the news on Tuesday morning is that the FEWEST number of

viewers tuned into the ABC mini series compared to all other series'aired over the last5 years! Sad to say, ABC lost BIG BUCKS on this one!

We've been told there will not be any commercials, so RoveCo must have sent them some BIG BUCKS to cover this one!!!!

[efhmc]

15. Wow, no commercials. Now that is suspicious. It gives no one to

go to to apply pressure besides the network. Interesting.

[napi21]

17. I'm thinking a BIG donation from the RNC ! n/t

[Democrat 4 Ever]

18. Just remind the affiliates that you will be filing a protest of their

actions when it comes time to renew their licenses. It is against FCC regulations to air propaganda without properly identifying it as such (even though Chucklenuts & Company and repeatedly done it again and again since 2001). Just maybe the majority will change come November and do they want to play Russian roulette with a bunch of pissed off viewers?

Does anyone know if there are appropriate fines for stations that deliberately air "documentary" that is untrue? Can we get into their pocketbooks?

[napi21]

19. Actually, I think Iwill be doing more damage NOW than waiting for

their license renewal. when I wrote to them today, I explained that although ABC sired many of my favorite shows, I would no longer be watching their network.

I listed all the shows I always watched.

I'm pretty sure ABC is the lowest rated network, and I really don't think they can afford to lose a lot of viewers! Viewership drops, so does ad rates!

I will still keep the protest of their lilcense renewal in mind for later. I also have to find out when theirs expires.

[efhmc]

23. You made some good points and since I never actually

watch any specific TV program (old movies, old sitcoms are my vices), I could not honestly list any show I will no longer watch on ABC.

[efhmc]

24. Can one actually make a difference doing this? That is great, if

it can happen.

[napi21]

28. Absolutely! I know much of the ratings are done by Neilson

households, but they also must have a way of judging viewership beyond that. You know howwe're always told how many viewers watched a State of the Union Speech, andthey have the results the next day! My guess is info from cable companies.

[efhmc]

31. Hope there are enough of us to show our contempt for their

manipulation of the facts but I am afraid too many will be enticed to watch just to see the train wreck of the truth.

[LynneSin]

20. Don't kid yourself, this is a ratings bonzanza for ABC

They know people will turn in to watch just for the morbid curiosity. It'll take legal action for ABC to stop this cash cow

[efhmc]

22. You are so right on that. Even RR said that she would watch to

see just exactly what ABC had done. No me. I rather read a book, especially one written by someone who knows what he/she is talking about.

[LynneSin]

25. Well, do turn into CBS on the 10th for their documentary

It's a documentary. Real people are interviewed who were actually there at the time 9/11 was happening. Robert DeNiro is hosting it

[efhmc]

29. Hey, real people with real comments. What a innovative

concept!

[undeterred]

21. Reply from Madison affiliate

The Path to 9/11 is a dramatization, not a documentary, drawn from a variety of sources. The events that lead to 9/11 originally sparked great debate, so it’s not surprising that a movie surrounding those events has revived the debate. The attacks were a pivotal moment in our history that should never be forgotten and it’s fitting that the discussion continues.

Clearly, the movie contains fictionalized scenes, composite and representative characters and dialogue, as well as time compression. We are aware of that. We also know that Madison has a reputation for being an unbiased community that supports all viewpoints and we will allow our viewers to make their own conclusions.

Thank you for your comments!

:banghead:

[efhmc]

26. Lies are truth if spoken on TV to many of the minibrains out

there in bush lala land. I heard that oxycontin man says that it is a great program. Enough said.

[LynneSin]

27. ABC basically gave their affliates the same letter

I wonder what I'll get from the Philly station?

[efhmc]

30. Asked both of my daughters to send letters so I could see what

they got. One has already gotten the same response. We are all in the same area. I e-mailed after receiving the stock answer asking where I should go to get an answer that actually responded to my questions. No answer yet. What a surprise!!!