Sinclair tells stations to air media-bashing promos - and the criticism goes viral

[orangecrush]

Sinclair tells stations to air media-bashing promos - and the criticism goes viral
By Brian Stelter April 1, 2018: 6:37 PM ET
Sinclair Broadcast Group's corporate mandates are exacerbating tensions between the company's local stations and its management.
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Journalists in local markets are chafing at the company's requirements, including a new promotional campaign that echoes President Donald Trump's anti-media rhetoric.

The promos, first reported by CNNMoney last month, went viral over the weekend after Deadspin edited dozens of them together to show how anchors across the country were told to read the same script.


"It sickens me the way this company is encroaching upon trusted news brands in rural markets," an investigative reporter at Sinclair told CNNMoney on condition of anonymity.

The company's conservative-leaning politics have come down to Sinclair's stations through "must runs" — stories local producers are told to air during their newscasts. The "Terrorism Alert Desk" is a recurring segment. Pro-Trump commentaries by former Trump campaign adviser Boris Epshteyn are another "must-run" feature.

http://money.cnn.com/2018/04/01/media/sinclair-anchor-promos/index.html

[A HERETIC I AM]

1. So what happens if they refuse to run a Must Run?

[dem4decades]

2. Probably find shitheads that will read them.

[kimbutgar]

3. Turn on the lights and spread on the internet that they are cockroaches who must be exposed now

[FakeNoose]

4. Here's the list of TV stations owned by Sinclair Broadcasting

It looks like they're in at least 45 states, but not all the largest markets of those states. Many medium-to-small markets where they are the main or only source of news in that market. This is significant!

From Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_stations_owned_or_operated_by_Sinclair_Broadcast_Group

[orangecrush]

8. Thanks much!

With this FCC there isn't much that will be done by writing letters of complaint, but it still should be done to get it on record for the future.

[moondust]

5. John Oliver covered this tonight.

Showed about 20 or more different news stations simultaneously reading the same promo.

Centralized corporate media. Better than communism!

[orangecrush]

7. it's been coming

since Reagan killed independent stations.

[Johnny2X2X]

6. This is a massive threat to our Democracy

If Trump propaganda gets pushed to the local
Media it will be believed without question.

We are losing our Democracy.

[poboy2]

9. It isn't hyperbole. Its the end of western civilization.

Thomas jefferson's most dire warning to guard a free press.

We may not have till November.