A Democratic member of the Federal Communications Commission called for an investigation into the agency’s ties with a broadcasting giant.
Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said the agency appears to be heavily influenced by Sinclair Broadcast Group, claiming: “all of our media policy decisions seem to be custom built for this one company.”
“If you look at the series of media policy decisions that has been made by this commission, they all seem to serve Sinclair Broadcasting’s business plans,” Rosenworcel said on Wednesday.
She cited a number of recent decisions, which appear to pave the way for an approval of Sinclair’s proposed merger with Tribune—a deal that would create a single company beaming TV content into roughly three-quarters of US households.
Roseworcel blasted a recent Commission rule change, the UHF discount, saying it circumvents a market cap mandated by Congress. In 2004, President George W. Bush signed into law legislation prohibiting a single broadcaster from reaching more than 39 percent of households.
In May, two weeks after the UHF discount was released, Sinclair announced its proposed $3.9 billion takeover of Tribune.
Rosenworel also blasted the consideration of a rule to allow the adoption of new technology, on which Sinclair has “many, many patents.”
“I think it’s something that merits investigation,” said, of the FCC regulatory agenda appearing to tailor to Sinclair’s needs.
Rosenworcel had been pressed on the issue at a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing by Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.).
“Thank you, that’s a pretty strong statement,” McNerney replied, after Rosenworcel’s testimony.
On Monday, the FCC voted 3-2 to approve yet another proposal enabling media consolidation. The Commission scrapped a rule that forced local broadcasters to have a studio where they’re licensed—the so-called Main Studio Rule.
Democratic lawmakers complained about Sinclair’s alleged undue influence in August, noting that FCC Chair Ajit Pai met repeatedly with company executives immediately after President Trump’s shock election victory, last November.
A letter sent by House Democrats noted that Sinclair gave Trump favorable coverage during last year’s campaign and considered the content “must-run” in a directive to its station managers.
In April, Sinclair gave a commentary job to Boris Epshteyn, a former Trump campaign and White House adviser.
The company has also invited controversy, this week alone, by considering the hire of disgraced right-wing pundit Bill O’Reilly, and by granting a platform to ex-White House adviser Sebastian Gorka.
“Our big issue is black African gun crime against black Africans,” Gorka said on Monday, on a Sinclair-owned station, without citing any empirical evidence.
