Sinclair Broadcasting Group
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Sinclair Broadcast Group |
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| Industry | Broadcast media; television broadcasting |
| Country | United States |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Headquarters | Hunt Valley, Maryland, United States |
| Parent company | |
| Status | Active |
| Verification |
Verified |
Overview
Sinclair Broadcast Group (Sinclair, Inc.) is a United States–based television broadcasting company that owns and/or operates local television stations across many U.S. media markets. Reporting and press-freedom analysis have repeatedly raised concerns about Sinclair’s use of centralized corporate editorial content, including requiring local stations to air “must-run” segments and scripted messaging. These practices have been cited as eroding local newsroom independence and amplifying a consistent political line through trusted local anchors. [1][2]
Boycott
Sinclair Broadcast Group is listed for boycott due to documented conduct that has contributed to the hyper-politicization of U.S. local news through forced carriage of centrally produced editorial content (“must-runs”) and political commentary, including content tied to partisan messaging. [1][2]
Public reporting has described Sinclair’s requirement that local stations carry centrally produced political commentary segments and corporate scripts, including widely criticized coordinated on-air messaging. [1][3] In 2019, industry reporting described Sinclair ending “must-run” opinion segments from former Trump aide Boris Epshteyn after those segments had been required across Sinclair’s station footprint. [4]
Sinclair has also faced significant federal regulatory action related to broadcast compliance and disclosure issues. [5]
ICE / DHS contracting ties (status)
As of this page’s creation, ICE List has not identified reliable public documentation showing Sinclair Broadcast Group itself as a contractor providing operational, technology, detention, transport, or analytical support to ICE or DHS in the manner documented for major federal contractors. This page is therefore listed on boycott grounds related to media power, compelled editorial content, and political influence via local news distribution, rather than verified procurement/contracting support to ICE/DHS. [1][2]
Background
Local television remains a primary news source for many U.S. communities. When station ownership groups centralize editorial content and mandate “must-run” segments, the effect can be to inject national political narratives into local broadcasts while leveraging the perceived trust of local anchors and stations. Civil-liberties organizations and major news outlets have argued this dynamic can distort democratic discourse and weaken local journalistic accountability. [2][1]
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 [Viral video raises worry over Sinclair's political messaging inside local news | PBS NewsHour (Apr. 2, 2018)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 [A TV Mega-Merger That's Bad for the First Amendment | ACLU (Jun. 19, 2018)
- ↑ [This is Sinclair, 'the most dangerous US company you've never heard of' | The Guardian (Aug. 17, 2017)
- ↑ [Sinclair Ends Must-Run Opinion Segments From Political Commentators, Including Former Trump Aide Boris Epshteyn | Adweek (Dec. 12, 2019)
- ↑ [Sinclair Pays $48 Million and Settles All Pending Investigations | FCC (May 2020)