[Ninong]

...Pappas Telecasting Companies:


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

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.

Rather than give away free airtime, which is illegal under federal law, Pappas Telecasting Cos. essentially is footing the bill 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 airtime."

http://www.sacbee.com/content/politi...12135910c.html


Federal law requires broadcasting companies to provide equal time to political candidates. What Pappas is saying is that they are perfectly willing to provide equal time to other candidates as long as they pay for it. Somehow or other I don't believe that is what Congress intended when they wrote the law but I'm sure it's possible that the current people in charge will see nothing wrong since they (Pappas) have made it clear that they are NOT giving away free airtime, they are simply paying for it themselves. Big difference!