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Local ABC affiliate receives no complaints about 9/11 movie

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By JEFF KORBELIK / Lincoln Journal Star

Tuesday, Sep 12, 2006 - 12:10:10 am CDT

As of late Monday morning, no viewers had called or e-mailed Lincoln ABC affiliate KLKN-TV to complain about Sunday’s airing of the first part of the miniseries “The Path to 9/11.”

KLKN-TV’s sister stations in Des Moines and South Sioux City, Iowa, also hadn’t received any negative feedback, according to Ray Cole, president and chief operating officer of parent company Citadel Communications.

“That’s not unusual because the second part airs tonight,” Cole said. “If we get any response, it might be tomorrow or later this week.”

“Path,” a dramatization about the events leading up to the 9/11 attacks, came under fire last week by former Clinton administration officials, liberal activists and other who claimed the miniseries distorted some key facts about the events.

At issue, according to a story from online entertainment magazine, Zap2it.com, are scenes which appear to blame the Clinton White House for not aggressively pursuing al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in the 1990s.

In response, ABC issued a statement saying the film “is a dramatization” and “for dramatic and narrative purposes, the movie contains fictionalized scenes, composite and representative characters and dialogue and time compression.”

Cole, who sits on ABC’s governing board, said he personally heard  from Clinton officials last week, including those who asked ABC to edit or cancel the miniseries.

“(People) were feeding off the national reports,” said Cole, who noted some of the critics had not seen the miniseries.

Cole said he screened “Path” a month ago and didn’t find it objectionable. He said he never considered not airing it on the Citadel stations.

“I found it to be compelling TV,” he said.

Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.

 


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Jeffrey wrote on September 12, 2006 3:58 am:
" This story is incorrect. I personally sent a complaint via e-mail to the Lincoln ABC affiliate KLKN-TV on Friday, September 8, 2006 and received a reply from Jeff Swanson of KLKN-TV the same day. "
WCG wrote on September 12, 2006 7:10 am:
" Same here. I emailed a complaint and also received a reply. So I know for a fact this story is not true. And personally, I think it's disgusting that people will hijack the 9/11 anniversary for political gain. How many viewers will think the miniseries is factual? Most. (Note, too, that this is a good example of why media consolidation is such a threat to our democracy.) "
John Holmes wrote on September 12, 2006 7:42 am:
" I found myself not being able to turn it off once I started watching it. Donni Wahlberg and Harvey Keitel were excellent. Now you just wonder how much of it was that close to the truth or not. Good Job ABC, thank you KLKN. "
Pat wrote on September 12, 2006 7:50 am:
" Korbelic downplays the point that the "other(sic)" category he says claims that ABC distorted the facts includes, besides "liberal activists" a number of responsible conservatives who are appalled by ABC/Disney's attempt to rewrite history. "
Bias Left Artical wrote on September 12, 2006 8:10 am:
" This article lacks to mention the big controversy centered around the fact that Clinton him self and his former administration put heavy pressure on ABC to edit the movie after seeing lines that implicated wrong doing on his administrations part. I for one placed a complaint to ABC them self. "
Differing View wrote on September 12, 2006 9:36 am:
" When I first heard about the ruckus that everyone was raising about this mini-series, I found it quite hilarious, everyone claiming that it shouldn't be aired, that it was made for political gain, that it tries to impliclate President Clinton by airing half-truths and outright lies, that it should not be allowed to be seen by anyone because of the reasons listed above and many more said on the talking head shows. Well, well, well...I seem to remember a movie a few years back that everyone hailed as one of the greatest expose` in recent years, how it's telling of the truth would allow the American people to see the real reasons behind everything, anyone remember the movie, c'mon class, allright I'll tell you, "Fareinheight 911" by Micheal Moore. All I can say is hindsight is 20/20 and for god sakes people make up your own minds for yourselves, do not let anyone else make them up for you by the airing of a fictionalized mini-series or the viewing of a fictional "documentary". A person is a smart, rational, logical creature, people are just stupid!--Unknown "
Jim wrote on September 12, 2006 9:56 am:
" I have not seen the movie nor do I intend to. Nonetheless, I will lodge a uneducated and rumor-fueled complaint to ABC once I hear that other people have done so. "
TedK wrote on September 12, 2006 10:35 am:
" I also sent an e-mail to KLKN on Friday. It bounced back because their mailbox was full. Seems to me they got a lot of complaints. I guess Ray Cole feels he must lie to back the ABC corporate position. "
Lincolnite wrote on September 12, 2006 11:45 am:
" Grow up folks. It's a television show, for crying out loud. Did your mommies and daddies not teach you that you shouldn't believe everything you see on TV? Sure, some parts are loosely based on fact - but no one ever said it's a nonfiction documentary. "
Jim wrote on September 12, 2006 11:53 am:
" DV your F-9/11 comparison doesn't fly. Fareinheight 911 was a for profit movie made with an obvious partisan slant. This mini series is being portayed as a documentary based on the 9/11 Commission Report and being broadcast over *public* airwaves (and which intentionally flips the truth on it's head). Apples and Tangerines. "
Kidding Right? wrote on September 12, 2006 12:11 pm:
" The first amendment allows us to have free speech. ABC was practicing the right of free speech as were everyone who apparently complained. If you have nothing better to do than complain about what is on tv, I suggest you open your eyes and discover all that is going on in the world. Maybe take some of your disgust and do something positive for those who need it - say the homeless or victims of violence. If you want to make a change, make a positive one - for those who need it - not the politicians. "
John Holmes wrote on September 12, 2006 12:41 pm:
" I hope it is re-aired again. "
BC wrote on September 12, 2006 12:49 pm:
" Isn't a viewer somebody who "watched the show" If everybody saw it on KLKN on Friday then e-mailed in about it I want to move to Lincoln where the Time Warner TIME WARP DVR can give you a show before it airs. "
Dick wrote on September 12, 2006 3:28 pm:
" what's funny about this is all the people saying let it go, it's just tv. I really hope you spoke up when all the people were complaining about all the other stupid stuff on tv that doesn't have to do with politics. But I really doubt it. "
Differing View wrote on September 12, 2006 3:59 pm:
" Jim My F-9/11 comparision does fly, yes F-9/11 was a for profit movie, however what are those little time slots in a TV show where they don't show the show, oh yeah, they are commercials, which are meant to make a profit for somebody. Let me guess what your next argument might be, people have a choice as to whether or not they can buy a ticket to F-9/11 but not the TV thing, WRONG, you can choose to not watch that channel, just like you can choose to not rent a movie. FYI, F-9/11 was being advertised as a documentary of our run-up to the Iraq war. My earlier point is exactly what LINCOLNITE said, don't belive everything you see on your multi-plex or on your idiot-box at home. Make up your own mind. Jim, can you hear me, or do you have your head stuck up your fruit bowl again? "
JoJo wrote on September 12, 2006 4:01 pm:
" I agree with Lincolnite. Don't believe everything you see on tv, even reality tv is scripted. if your vote and political beliefs are swayed by a tv show you shouldnt be voting "
Dave K wrote on September 12, 2006 4:59 pm:
" Jim, this movie (and I stress 'movie') was not presented as a documentary. Have you ever seen a documentary where the only characters were portrayed by actors? This movie was based on the 9/11 Commission report as much as Braveheart was based on Scottish history. Just because your heroes Bill Clinton, Sandy Berger, and Madeleine Albright came off looking bad doesn't mean ABC shouldn't have aired it. You probably didn't complain when The West Wing was on, making fun of conservatives and making them look bad during every show. "
I agree wrote on September 12, 2006 5:27 pm:
" I agree with Differing View. It's amazing how everything is OK when the Democrats are involved with it. But once it's time to show the bad side of them, they freak out and then everyone is offended by what they hear and see. "
Learn to change the channel wrote on September 12, 2006 10:49 pm:
" Now I have no objection to ABC or any other affiliate doing this program. I don't have to watch it, or support it in anyway, I can do this by changing the channel. If it not factual the historians will sort that out, and the movie will end up in the dvd pile at the local discount store for 1.99. "

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