To uphold its integrity, the Trump FCC must proceed with Sinclair hearing

Sinclair Broadcasting has a right to establish that that they did not engage in “misrepresentations and/or lack of candor”—an assertion by the Federal Communications Commission—in matters related to its $3.9 billion acquisition of Tribune Media. The FCC has designated the matter for an administrative hearing before an administrative law judge. That hearing must go forward. The character of the licensee is an important component in determining whether the party is a fit trustee for the public’s airwaves. Whether there were misrepresentations to the agency is an important indicator of fitness to hold a broadcast license—and Sinclair holds 173 such permits. The importance of the FCC following through on the administrative hearing was made even more important by President Trump’s tweet after the Commission’s action. When the President of the United States describes the Commission’s decision in such pejorative and judgmental terms, the agency has a responsibility to uphold the honor and integrity of its processes and not to allow a shadow to hang over its proceedings. Here’s what to watch for, however: a backroom consent decree deal.

[Tom Wheeler served as the 31st Chairman of the FCC from 2013-2017]