You Can't Be Neutral on a Freedom Walk, Media Told [1]
Submitted by Diane Farsetta [2] on
The Washington Post "is withdrawing its offer of free advertising for an organized event by the Defense Department [3]," after its sponsorship drew criticism from peace groups and the Newspaper Guild, which represents 1,400 Post employees. The Pentagon's America Supports You [4] "Freedom Walk [5]" will take place on September 11 and include a concert by Clint Black, a country musician who the Guild noted [6] is best known for his "war-glorifying song 'Iraq and I Roll.'" Instead, the Post "will make a donation directly to the Pentagon Memorial Fund," for "a two-acre contemplation park in honor of the 184 people who died" at the Pentagon in 2001. Other media organizations, including WTOP Radio Network, ABC/WJLA-TV Channel 7 and News Channel 8, are continuing their Freedom Walk sponsorship. "If we were to find out that it was meant to be a political event, we couldn't support it," said Stan Melton of WJLA and News Channel 8.