Access to local news has been a vital part of our democracy for decades. Your local broadcaster brings news from around the block and your local city hall, and helps keeps you informed about the issues that are most likely to affect you. But that could all change if the the FCC - under the Trump administration has its way.
The FCC is on the brink of allowing America’s largest broadcaster, the Trump-friendly Sinclair Broadcast Group to purchase the Tribune Media Co, giving it the largest broadcast reach of any company in the United States.
According to former FCC commissioner Michael Copps, Sinclair “is the most dangerous company most Americans haven’t heard of.” The conservative leaning broadcaster which already has 173 local TV stations and is known for forcing their affiliates to air obligatory news segments and conservative commentary - influencing rather than informing - their customers. In fact Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, reportedly bragged about striking a deal with Sinclair broadcasting for more favorable news coverage.
By the FCC’s own rules, no broadcaster should have access to more than 39% off American homes. This is a vital regulation that helps protect the American people from being overly influenced by any one political agenda. Yet, instead of reining in media giants like Sinclair, Trump’s handpicked FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai has decided to relax the 39% cap - opening the door to a merger that would be able to reach 72% of US households. That’s almost double the previously legal limit!
Organizations from across the political spectrum, including many of Trumps staunchest allies are currently fighting the proposed merger. Even Glenn Beck’s media outlet, The Blaze has taken a stand against the anti-democratic threat in a letter stating; “Regardless of political affiliation, we should agree that robust democracy demands a variety of viewpoints from a myriad of sources; yet, the Sinclair/Tribune merger threatens this core value,”
America is best as a nation with a broad collection of points of view. The Sinclair/Tribune merger aims to homogenize the American mindset and tilt the country to the right. We can’t let this merger happen. Sign the petition and tell the FCC to reject the anti-democratic Sinclair monopoly.
