Press Release
Sinclair Broadcast Group faces major challenge to licenses
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
Washington -- Today, Free Press will file a petition with the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C. seeking to deny the renewal of Sinclair Broadcast Groups's television licenses in the states of North and South Carolina. Also challenged are two licenses held by Cunningham Broadcasting. Filings opposing the renewal of those licenses are due at the Commission by the close of business today.
Free Press alleges that Sinclair, working in concert with Cunningham Broadcasting, is operating illegal duopolies (two commonly owned and controlled stations in the same market) in Asheville and in Charleston. Free Press accuses Cunningham of being a sham owner that has relinquished complete economic and editorial control of its stations to Sinclair.
Eight station licenses are at stake: WXLV-TV, Winston-Salem, NC; WUPN-TV, Greensboro, NC; WBSC-T, Anderson, SC; WTAT-TV, Charleston, SC; WLFL-TV, Raleigh, NC; WRDC-TV, Durham, NC; WLOS-TV, Asheville, NC; and WMMP-TV, Charleston, SC.
Free Press further alleges that Sinclair ignores its obligations to provide programming that serves the interests of local communities. Sinclair has fired local news staffs and consolidated "local news" operations into its headquarters in Baltimore, MD under the name "News Central." Free Press claims this practice increases the profits of Sinclair at the expense of depriving each of the communities of genuine local news and coverage of community events.
Free Press lastly alleges that Sinclair’s owners lack the "character qualifications" to be television broadcast licensees. Sinclair has ignored prior FCC orders to separate Cunningham and Sinclair operations. Sinclair uses "News Central"-produced commentary as "news", without disclosing that the inserts are commentary and are not originated in the local community.
Josh Silver, Executive Director of Free Press, stated today, "Sinclair is the poster child for abuse of the public airwaves. Sinclair has a pattern of ignoring or avoiding FCC regulations, combining a unique blend of self-serving, right-wing ideology with lawless behavior that requires the FCC to take action.
"The controversy surrounding Sinclair’s intent to air ‘Stolen Honor’—an anti-Kerry documentary—days before the election as ‘news’ illustrates Sinclair’s intent to use its privileged access to the public airwaves to pursue its own political agenda, no matter what the cost may be to the interests of local viewers. I wish this latest episode were an exception. Unfortunately, it only highlights the ongoing irresponsible behavior of this company and its owners."
A television broadcast license is issued for 8 years. Under FCC rules, all of the licenses for North and South Carolina are considered in the same cycle.
Silver continued, "I hope this petition provides a forum for citizens of all political persuasions to tell the FCC that local television broadcasters must address the needs and interests of their communities. Federal broadcast licenses are intended to serve the public interest, not merely the profit interests of powerful media conglomerates.”
Free Press has asked the Commission to hold public hearings in each of the communities affected to take further comment from viewers and community leaders. Written public Comments in support and opposition to the Free Press petition can be filed at the FCC for the next thirty days.
The formal petition to deny can be downloaded at http://www.sinclairwatch.org/petition_to_deny.pdf
Free Press (www.freepress.net) is a national non-partisan organization that seeks to increase informed public participation in media policy and to promote a more competitive, public interest-oriented media system. It was founded by University of Illinois professor, media scholar and author Robert McChesney.
Free Press alleges that Sinclair, working in concert with Cunningham Broadcasting, is operating illegal duopolies (two commonly owned and controlled stations in the same market) in Asheville and in Charleston. Free Press accuses Cunningham of being a sham owner that has relinquished complete economic and editorial control of its stations to Sinclair.
Eight station licenses are at stake: WXLV-TV, Winston-Salem, NC; WUPN-TV, Greensboro, NC; WBSC-T, Anderson, SC; WTAT-TV, Charleston, SC; WLFL-TV, Raleigh, NC; WRDC-TV, Durham, NC; WLOS-TV, Asheville, NC; and WMMP-TV, Charleston, SC.
Free Press further alleges that Sinclair ignores its obligations to provide programming that serves the interests of local communities. Sinclair has fired local news staffs and consolidated "local news" operations into its headquarters in Baltimore, MD under the name "News Central." Free Press claims this practice increases the profits of Sinclair at the expense of depriving each of the communities of genuine local news and coverage of community events.
Free Press lastly alleges that Sinclair’s owners lack the "character qualifications" to be television broadcast licensees. Sinclair has ignored prior FCC orders to separate Cunningham and Sinclair operations. Sinclair uses "News Central"-produced commentary as "news", without disclosing that the inserts are commentary and are not originated in the local community.
Josh Silver, Executive Director of Free Press, stated today, "Sinclair is the poster child for abuse of the public airwaves. Sinclair has a pattern of ignoring or avoiding FCC regulations, combining a unique blend of self-serving, right-wing ideology with lawless behavior that requires the FCC to take action.
"The controversy surrounding Sinclair’s intent to air ‘Stolen Honor’—an anti-Kerry documentary—days before the election as ‘news’ illustrates Sinclair’s intent to use its privileged access to the public airwaves to pursue its own political agenda, no matter what the cost may be to the interests of local viewers. I wish this latest episode were an exception. Unfortunately, it only highlights the ongoing irresponsible behavior of this company and its owners."
A television broadcast license is issued for 8 years. Under FCC rules, all of the licenses for North and South Carolina are considered in the same cycle.
Silver continued, "I hope this petition provides a forum for citizens of all political persuasions to tell the FCC that local television broadcasters must address the needs and interests of their communities. Federal broadcast licenses are intended to serve the public interest, not merely the profit interests of powerful media conglomerates.”
Free Press has asked the Commission to hold public hearings in each of the communities affected to take further comment from viewers and community leaders. Written public Comments in support and opposition to the Free Press petition can be filed at the FCC for the next thirty days.
The formal petition to deny can be downloaded at http://www.sinclairwatch.org/petition_to_deny.pdf
Free Press (www.freepress.net) is a national non-partisan organization that seeks to increase informed public participation in media policy and to promote a more competitive, public interest-oriented media system. It was founded by University of Illinois professor, media scholar and author Robert McChesney.
