You Can't Be Neutral on a Freedom Walk, Media Told

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The Washington Post "is withdrawing its offer of free advertising for an organized event by the Defense Department," after its sponsorship drew criticism from peace groups and the Newspaper Guild, which represents 1,400 Post employees. The Pentagon's America Supports You "Freedom Walk" will take place on September 11 and include a concert by Clint Black, a country musician who the Guild noted 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.