Sinclair says asking news directors for PAC contributions isn't a conflict of interest

The vice president for news for Sinclair Broadcast Group, Scott Livingston, said that he understands why some people may be concerned that the company asked top managers to contribute to the company's Political Action Committee, but he says he does not believe it is a journalistic conflict of interest.  "I do understand the concern but I don’t believe this compromises our journalistic integrity. Our local stations don’t cover the ins and outs of the broadcast regulatory reform." And, Livingston said, the political action committee is "working to save local broadcasting."

The biggest recipient so far ($4,500) this year is House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). Sinclair also has TV stations in Tennessee, where Chairman Blackburn is expected to face stiff competition in a race for the US Senate in 2018. Sinclair's PAC also funds a member of Congress from New York, where the group owns seven stations, two congressmen from Pennsylvania, where Sinclair runs five stations, and two Texas candidates where Sinclair operates 13 TV stations.