Fox 47 WMSN Madison will broadcast the documentary “Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal” at 7 p.m. Oct. 22, the television station announced in its news broadcast Oct. 11.

The decision complies with an order from the station’s parent company, Sinclair Broadcast Group, to air the controversial documentary in primetime sometime between Oct. 21 and Oct. 24. Normal programming will be pre-empted.

The documentary features POWs from the Vietnam War reflecting on the betrayal they felt upon learning of John Kerry’s testimony before Congress in the early 1970s. Kerry, a veteran of the war, accused American troops of committing atrocities in the Southeast Asian country, which the POWs allege prolonged their captivity and increased their suffering.

The 45-minute film’s portrayal of Kerry stands to damage the presidential candidate’s campaign, University of Wisconsin political science professor Charles Franklin said.

“If the show they’re going to run is as hard on Kerry as the Swift Boat ads, and there is every reason to believe it will, that is a problem for Kerry,” Franklin said.

Franklin said it is debatable whether the anti-Kerry documentary is best characterized as news or propaganda.

George Twigg, Kerry’s Wisconsin spokesperson, said he sides with the latter.

“Instead of informing viewers about issues, this film rubs completely untrue allegations,” Twigg said. “This is a sign of desperation by Bush supporters and the momentum they’re losing every day.”

College Republican chair Nicole Marklein disagreed, saying the film may serve as a useful debate so long as Kerry is offered equal airtime.

“I don’t agree with the decision [by Sinclair] if they’re breaking any laws, but as long as Kerry is given the chance to refute any claims, it should serve to spark debate,” Marklein said.

UW law professor Peter Carstensen said the right to reply on air is not guaranteed, however, due to the easing of telecommunications restrictions in the ’80s.

With “Stolen Honor” airing on Sinclair’s 62 networks nationwide a week before the election, Kerry will be hard-pressed to craft an effective rebuttal, Franklin said.

President Bush faced a similar dilemma in 2000, when news of a drunken-driving arrest emerged mere days before the election, likely costing him a number of votes, Franklin added.

Twigg is confident voters will react unfavorably to Sinclair’s “smear” tactic.

“Voters are smart enough to recognize when something is rammed down their throats, and there will be a backlash,” he said.

Calls to Fox 47 were not returned.