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WGME loses ads over plan to air anti-Kerry film

WGME's plan to air a documentary critical of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry prompted three Maine companies Thursday to pull their advertising from the Portland TV station.

Hannaford supermarkets, the Lee Auto Malls, and the law offices of Joe Bornstein withdrew their advertising indefinitely from WGME (Channel 13) over its plans to air "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal" on Oct. 23.

WGME's owner, Sinclair Broadcast Group, has ordered its 62 TV stations in local markets across the country to air the film without commercials.

The film shows Vietnam War veterans criticizing Kerry - a fellow veteran - for opposing the war after he served.

Alan Cartwright, WGME's general manager, declined to comment when contacted.

Hannaford, based in Scarborough with 46 supermarkets in Maine, decided to pull its ads so its name would not be associated with the film.

"Hannaford is apolitical, and our employees have varying views on issues," said Caren Epstein, Hannaford's spokeswoman. "We object to being positioned politically."

Epstein said she did not know how much Hannaford spends on advertising with WGME, but noted that the chain advertises on other Maine TV stations as well. She said Hannaford's ads will stay off WGME at least until after the documentary is aired.

Adam Lee, president of Lee Auto Malls, decided to pull his company's ads because he believes airing the documentary is unfair.

"I'm torn. I think the press should be able to print and air what they want, but doing this just before an election, without advertising and without a rebuttal, is not fair," said Lee.

Lee, who appears in his company's ads, would not say how much his advertising is worth to WGME. He said he did a "fair amount" of advertising with WGME, but does more with WCSH-TV (Channel 6).

Bornstein, who has offices in Portland and Bangor, said that having his ads on WGME during this controversy made him "uncomfortable."

"This is really an issue of fairness in broadcasting and Maine has been dragged into it," said Bornstein.