Democratic Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin demanded in a Wednesday letter that Sinclair Broadcasting justify its editorial decisions.
Sinclair came under fire after a montage video showed local anchors all reading the same editorial script warning viewers about “biased” and “false news.” Media members warned that Sinclair was engaging in pro-Trump “propaganda” and questioned the network’s credibility. (RELATED: Montage: Establishment Media Very ‘Concerned’ About Sinclair’s ‘Propaganda’)
Durbin sent a letter to Sinclair’s executive asking them to explain why anchors were delivering “scripted promotional message[s]” on public broadcast stations.
In a November meeting with my office, Sinclair representatives repeatedly denied mandating scripted content for local news stations. In light of disturbing news reports this week, I’m calling on Sinclair to explain itself: pic.twitter.com/0s1TNTwZEv
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) April 4, 2018
“Not only is this practice concerning, it contradicts representations of Sinclair’s policies made to my staff…in a November 2017 meeting,” he wrote. “The requirement that local news anchors deliver a a scripted promotional message on-air is inconsistent with these representations.”
“Please confirm what Sinclair’s policy is regarding Sinclair-produced mandated content for local news anchors. Further, please clarify whether there will be employment consequences for personnel at local stations who refuse to deliver the scripted promotional message,” Durbin concluded.
Durbin’s letter has sparked a debate on Twitter on whether asking a media organization to explain its editorial decisions is an overreach of congressional authority.
Why is a senator demanding a media company explain editorial decisions? Would this be acceptable if a senator sent the same letter to CNN? Slippery slope. pic.twitter.com/o6MHd8r72C
— Joe Perticone (@JoePerticone) April 4, 2018
A little different; CNN doesn’t own public airwaves.
— Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) April 4, 2018
A little different; CNN doesn’t own public airwaves.
— Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) April 4, 2018
This is the most Orwellian thing to come out of the Sinclair saga. Courtesy of Sen. Dick Durbin: pic.twitter.com/As8gkErcRB
— Philip Wegmann (@PhilipWegmann) April 4, 2018
I think what Sinclair did was kinda creepy. I also think that Sinclair should tell Durbin to go kick rocks. Freedom of the press and all that. https://t.co/wZQVeyE7bE
— Jerry Dunleavy (@JerryDunleavy) April 4, 2018