open book - voting records and donor records

On his blog, Counterframe, my classmate Dean Smith presents news in the arena of politics, big business, and media--Viacom CEO's open endorsement of George W. Bush as his choice for his president. (October 4, 2004)

But what is there to hide???

Voter registration records--complete with name, address, party affiliation, and poll visits (though not choices) are public record, accessible via the internet. Donor records of campaign contributions are also available. So why make a secret of known or accessible information? Is Mr. Redstone simply stating what could be otherwise discovered by a web searcher? Or, should CEOs use greater discretion? Will they influence consumers, shareholders, employees, and potential investors, and, if they do, is this a good, neutral, or really, really bad thing?

I know I am missing or failing to discuss key points about media giants and their influence. I suppose I have long stopped thinking of media persons as discoverers, sifters, and tellers of truth.