WJAR’s owner, Sinclair Broadcast Group,
forces local TV Anchors to recite Trumpian propaganda
To watch this video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJbGCZuB0rM
Journalists and corporate watchdogs reacted with alarm when it was reported last month that the right-wing media giant Sinclair Broadcast Group was planning to force local news anchors to read from a script denouncing "fake" and "false" news stories in a distinctly Trumpian fashion.
But this horror was
amplified after Deadspin compiled a video this weekend of what
the company's "dangerous" proposal actually looks like
in practice.
"The stuff of
nightmares," is how one commentator described the end result, which shows
news anchors "looking like hostages in proof-of-life videos"
and reading directly from a Sinclair-produced "promotional campaign."
Speaking to CNN on Sunday,
Sinclair employees and local reporters said they are deeply concerned about the
right-wing ideological bent being foisted upon television stations across the
United States by the massive media company.
"It sickens me
the way this company is encroaching upon trusted news brands in rural
markets," one reporter told CNN on the condition of
anonymity, fearing retaliation from Sinclair's management.
"I feel bad
because they're seeing these people they've trusted for decades tell them
things they know are essentially propaganda," added a local anchor.
Owned by a family of
ultra-conservative millionaires, Sinclair currently operates nearly 200 news
stations nationwide—and is pushing for even more control of local
outlets, with help from the GOP-controlled FCC.
If Sinclair's acquisition of Tribune Media is
ultimately approved, the company will own enough stations to reach an estimated 70 percent of American
households, sparking concerns that pro-Trump propaganda could begin to dominate
local news.
"I try everyday
to do fair, local stories, some Trump-related, but it's always washed out by
this stuff they do at a national level," said one local reporter.
Below is the full script dozens of local news anchors
have been forced to read under threat of termination:
(B) Our greatest
responsibility is to serve our Northwest communities. We are extremely proud of
the quality, balanced journalism that KOMO News produces.
(A) But we’re
concerned about the troubling trend of irresponsible, one sided news stories
plaguing our country. The sharing of biased and false news has become all too
common on social media.
(B) More alarming,
some media outlets publish these same fake stories… stories that just aren’t
true, without checking facts first.
(A) Unfortunately,
some members of the media use their platforms to push their own personal bias
and agenda to control ‘exactly what people think’…This is extremely dangerous
to a democracy.
(B) At KOMO it’s our
responsibility to pursue and report the truth. We understand Truth is neither
politically ‘left nor right.’ Our commitment to factual reporting is the
foundation of our credibility, now more than ever.
(A) But we are human
and sometimes our reporting might fall short. If you believe our coverage is
unfair please reach out to us by going to KOMOnews.com and clicking on CONTENT
CONCERNS. We value your comments. We will respond back to you.
(B) We work very hard
to seek the truth and strive to be fair, balanced and factual… We consider it
our honor, our privilege to responsibly deliver the news every day.
(A) Thank you for
watching and we appreciate your feedback.