Freedom of the Press in the Age of Fake News: Sinclair Broadcasting, the FCC and Citizen Action ELLICOTT CITY HUDDLE SAT., SEPT. 9, 2017 MILLER LIBRARY
Welcome Danilsa Marciniak Leader, Ellicott City Huddle Mission: to encourage, empower and engage our community in positive, inclusive sustained political activity. ellicottcityhuddle@gmail.com
Our mission this morning 1. Raise awareness about issues infringing on the free and independent press 2. Discuss ways for us to take action in support of the free press
Why are you here? Think : Why is this topic important to you? What are you hoping to get out of the program today? Is anyone concerned about media bias? Are you concerned about accusations (or realities) of “fake news?” Do you want to learn more about Sinclair Broadcasting? Are you concerned about the erosion of trust in mainstream media? Have you lost trust in the media?
First Amendment, Bill of Rights “ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press ; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble , and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances .”
Speaker Pallavi Guha Philip Merrill College of Journalism University of Maryland Introduced by Beth Kelly, Mini-Huddle Member
Freedom of of th the Pres ess Palla llavi Guha Univ iversit ity of of Mary ryland Source of Image: Pixabay
First Amendment • Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; • or abridging the freedom of speech, • or of the press; • or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, • and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Challenges to fr freedom to press and expression: Censorship & Access
Factors influencing media independence: • Political, • Governmental, • Business and • Religious factors • Other
Harassments of journalists Photography ban : Courtesy: Newseum Michael Macor/Courtesy San Francisco Chronicle
Fake News: When President Lincoln shut down opposition newspapers for fake news! Courtesy: Newseum
Source: BBC News
How did we learn about the Sinclair merger controversy? New York Times “Sinclair unveils Tribune deal, raising worries it will be too powerful,” Ember, 5/8/17 “Sinclair requires TV stations to air segments that tilt to the right,” Ember, 5/12/17 The Washington Post “Sinclairs’S TV deal would be good for Trump. And his new FCC is clearing the way,” Sullivan, 5/21/17 “Boris Epshteyn , a former Trump surrogate, now defends him as a Sinclair TV pundit,” Farhi, 6/19/17 The Baltimore Sun “Sinclair taking perilous path with Boris Epshteyn ,” Zurawik, 7/14/17 HBO, online Last Week Tonight with John Oliver 7/2/17
Where do Americans get their news? The majority of Americans get their news from TV Almost half of these Americans get their news from LOCAL TV Of those ages 18-49, half get their news online - Pew Research Center on Journalism and Media, July 2016
What about the FCC? Independent federal agency; interstate communication by radio, tv, wire, satellite and cable Legislative and regulatory authority, granted and overseen by Congress 5 commissioners, including the chair, appointed by the President, confirmed by the U.S. Senate
What does (or should) the FCC do for us? To grant broadcast licenses, they must be in “The Public Interest” (includes protecting consumers [us!], diversity, localism)
What is Sinclair? Headquarters: Hunt Valley, Md. Ownership : Largest owner of local TV stations across the U.S. with 191, in 89 media markets, affiliated with networks including Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC Local News Station Ownership : WBFF Fox 45 in Baltimore; WJLA ABC 7 in Washington, DC Tribune Merger : Sinclair’s $3.9 billion acquisition of Tribune Media’s 42 stations in an additional 33 markets, would give Sinclair ownership of well over 200 local stations FCC Status : The Sinclair/Tribune merger is currently before the FCC for approval. If approved, Sinclair will control channels that reach up to 72% of U.S. households (7 of 10 homes).
Sinclair and Tribune Local Stations Source: New York Times
What are the concerns about merger? Too big, too powerful Largest owner of local stations = one broadcaster; monopoly concerns FCC is failing in priorities Ownership expansion versus consumers Advancing political agenda Replacing local programming with required prepackaged national content and politically conservative commentary; potential electoral impact
Politics, Power and Propaganda David Zurawik, Media Reporter, The Baltimore Sun David Zurawik, Propaganda
Baltimore Sun
Speaker Brandon Forester Free Press Introduced by Betty Freeland, Mini-Huddle Member
Brandon Forester Free Press Example of commentary that all Sinclair stations across the nation are REQUIRED to run (“must - run”). This piece, titled “Ignoring History” aired the week before the Charlottesville Protests. Mark Hyman “Behind the Headlines” 8/8/17
Groups Opposed to the Merger One America News Network Media Mobilizing Project American News Network The Prometheus Radio Project American Cable Association The National Hispanic Coalition Newsmax Allied Progress Glenn Beck’s The Blaze Common Cause Dish Network, LLC Free Press approx. 25,000 members of Free Press Public Knowledge have told the FCC they oppose the merger
Recap: Why this matters! Freedom of the press is under attack An informed electorate is essential to democracy Sinclair is too big, too powerful Largest owner of local stations = one broadcaster with unprecedented influence The FCC is failing us Protecting the public interest should take precedence over industry expansion, wealth Sinclair’s political agenda exploits local news Should not be the business of LOCAL news broadcasters to advocate a national political agenda
Want to take action?
What can we do? 1. Support quality journalism 2. Support groups that defend the rights of the press 3. Contact the FCC about Sinclair/Tribune Merger Email each commissioner https://www.fcc.gov MB Docket No. 17-179 Typical review takes 180 days; according to the FCC, we are on day 65 4. Contact Congressional representatives 5. Contact the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division antitrust.complaints@usdoj.gov 6. Contact local (Sinclair) stations to complain about content, “must - runs”
Peaceful Demonstration – Join us! Sinclair Broadcasting 10706 Beaver Dam Road, Hunt Valley, MD Sun., Sept. 24 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Public sidewalk in front of Sinclair building & across the street (permit granted, Balto. County) Meet at the Warren Road Light Rail Station Parking Lot 202 Warren Road (MD 943); Cockeysville, Maryland 21030 Bring posters, signs (no sticks, poles) Please wear blue or red, white and blue
Advice on Citizen Action Planning an Action Slide Presentation Brandon Forester, Free Press
Question and Answer
Now what? Hand-out in back of room – please take one Links to articles Sinclair Broadcasting Information Sheet Sign-Up To receive updates about the merger and peaceful demonstration Join The demonstration The Ellicott City Huddle For more information: ellicottcityhuddle@gmail.com echuddle.conflicts@gmail.com
Last words… “… communities are enriched by a diversity of viewpoints and that [Sinclair/Tribune] consolidation would limit programming options for viewers, and impact local news editorial operations. And as regulators, we are supposed to be the public interest torch bearer for this nation. Today I am sad to report that we have failed miserably ." (emphasis ours) - FCC commissioner Mignon L. Clyburn; dissenting statement; FCC 17-40; FCC MB Docket No. 13-236, 2017 “[Sinclair has] a decided agenda and [is] not shy about pushing it. It’s about more than one company getting a monopoly on widgets. This is about ideas and information that the public needs to make wise choices as democratic citizens.” - Mark Feldstein; Chair, broadcast journalism, Phillip Merrill School of Journalism, University of Maryland; - The Baltimore Sun , 8/27/17
Thank You for Coming!
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