KUER News Transcript: November 2, 2000
By Vince Pearson

Host: Democratic Congressional candidate Jim Matheson is cracking down on what he calls a libelous political advertisement produced and paid for by the US Chamber of Commerce. The television ad claims Matheson supports a big government prescription drug plan that would hurt seniors. Matheson says the ad does not accurately reflect his positions and is calling on local television stations to pull it. KUER's Vince Pearson has more.

REPORTER: The new Chamber of Commerce ad says Jim Matheson supports a big government prescription drug plan that could be costly for seniors. It says the plan requires seniors to pay up to 600 dollars a year plus a 50 -50 co-payment."

AD: "Tell Jim Matheson to stop scaring seniors, tell him to stop supporting a big government prescription drug plan.. .

HOLBROOK: "The ad is both false and defamatory."

James Holbrook is Jim Matheson's attorney.

HOLBROOK: "The ad makes statements about Mr. Matheson's position on prescription drugs and those statements are false, and the ad goes on to say that Mr. Matheson goes on to say that Mr. Matheson is trying to scare seniors and that is defamatory. And to make false and defamatory statements is libelous."

Holbrook has sent a letter to four television stations requesting they pull the ad. Stations include KUTV, KTVX, KSL and KSTU. KSL decided not to pull the ad, and responded in a letter to Holbrook that KSL is not under any obligation to investigate the contents of paid issue advertisements. KUTV, KTVX and KSTU did not return phone calls. The US Chamber of Commerce, which endorsed Matheson's opponent, Republican Derek Smith, did not return repeated phone calls. Derek Smith responded through a spokesperson that he had no comment and that the content of the ads was between Matheson and the Chamber of Commerce. Matheson has not yet threatened a libel suit against either the Chamber of Commerce or television stations. I'm Vince Pearson, KUER news.

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