Free Press Takes Aim at Sinclair/Allbritton Deal

In response to word that Sinclair will buy Allbritton's television stations and its DC regional cable news network, Free Press President Craig Aaron said, “The rapid and massive expansion of Sinclair Broadcast Group is unwelcome news for local TV viewers. The company's cookie-cutter approach to local news and repeated use of the airwaves to push a partisan agenda are well known. But the idea that one company should be allowed to control so many stations in so many markets is simply outrageous. What will it take for the FCC to wake up? The FCC needs to scrutinize these proposed deals and stop allowing covert consolidation through shared services agreements. In particular, it should require stations Sinclair has indicated it will put up for sale as part of this deal to be sold to independent competitors, not Sinclair front groups."