Sinclair mobilizes local TV stations to push message accusing CNN of 'dishonesty and hypocrisy'

Author: 
Coverage Type: 

Sinclair Broadcast Group has once again mobilized its local television stations to criticize media competitors, accusing CNN of "dishonesty and hypocrisy."  CNN media reporter Brian Stelter had came down hard on the network for its  mandated messaging condemning "one-sided news stories" and "bias." Many Sinclair journalists weren't happy with their corporate leaders either. Sinclair Chief Executive Chris Ripley tried to reassure employees in an internal memo, writing that local journalists had borne the brunt of the "politically motivated" backlash. Then banners went up atop the homepages of Sinclair's television news stations. That space is usually reserved for news. This time, it was for another corporate message. "CNN's hypocritical attack on Sinclair," it said. A link led to a YouTube video, created by Sinclair, accusing Stelter of "dishonesty and hypocrisy." The video, which did not run on Sinclair's television broadcasts, showed clips of Stelter warning audiences of the dangers of "fake news."  "Does CNN really think a warning about 'fake news' is Trump's rhetoric?" the narrator in the Sinclair video asks. "For CNN to politicize Sinclair's journalistic commitment promos is hypocritical and shameful," said Ronn Torossian, the president of 5W Public Relations, an outside firm hired by Sinclair Broadcasting. "The video we produced which highlights this dishonestly is on all of our websites."


Sinclair mobilizes local TV stations to push message accusing CNN of 'dishonesty and hypocrisy'