Sinclair

I'm late to the party on this (what else is new), but in case you haven't seen it in the past week:

Earlier this month, CNN’s Brian Stelter broke the news that Sinclair Broadcast Group, owner or operator of nearly 200 television stations in the U.S., would be forcing its news anchors to record a promo about “the troubling trend of irresponsible, one sided news stories plaguing our country.” The script, which parrots Donald Trump’s oft-declarations of developments negative to his presidency as “fake news,” brought upheaval to newsrooms already dismayed with Sinclair’s consistent interference to bring right-wing propaganda to local television broadcasts.

It's worth clicking through to see the video Deadspin put together, showing news team after news team parroting the same Trumpian script.

This is a problem for two reasons.  First, the Sinclair-owned stations reach 39% of U.S. viewers.  Second, Sinclair is on the verge of merging with Tribune Media, and if the merger goes through, it will extend Sinclair's reach to 72% of viewers.

There is an expectation, or at least the desire, that news outlets in America are reliable, fact-based, and unbiased (to the extent that is possible).  But Sinclair affiliates have a long history of right-wing partisan tilt, and for many Sinclair employees, this latest stunt is the final straw.

Of course, it's easy to say that reporters with integrity should refuse to participate in reporting new they know to be false, but it's clear not only that refusal to participate might cost them their jobs, but that quitting a job at Sinclair carries a larger penalty than a simple loss of your paycheck.  Not only is Sinclair horrible in an Orwellian sort of way, but also in an employer-who-exerts-undue-control-over-your-life sort of way.

And, oh yeah, even as they force their anchors to regurgitate Trump's 'fake news' mantra, they produce generous amounts of dishonest right-wing propaganda themselves.  John Oliver detailed the atrocities in his own inimitable way last summer:

So if you're now frothing mad at Sinclair (and if you're not, what's wrong with you?), here are some things you (yes, you!) can do to help fight back.

First, you can speak up to oppose the merge of Sinclair and Tribune Media.  Probably the most effective way to do this is to contact your representatives in Congress directly, but you can also contact them via Free Press or Common Cause.

Second, you can boycott Sinclair stations and their advertisers.