A public-interest organization, Frequency Forward, has taken a significant step by petitioning the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to halt Sinclair, Inc.'s proposed transfer of five broadcast licenses to Rincon Broadcasting Group. The petition raises serious concerns about Sinclair's alleged systematic evasion of multiple ownership rules and repeated misrepresentations to regulatory authorities. This move underscores the ongoing debate over media ownership and the integrity of regulatory compliance in the broadcasting industry.
The crux of the petition revolves around Sinclair's purported use of shell corporations, such as Cunningham Broadcasting and Deerfield Media, to bypass FCC ownership restrictions. Frequency Forward argues that these entities function as a 'shadow network,' designed to circumvent federal regulations rather than serve as independent broadcasters. The stations involved in the challenged license transfers are KHQA in Quincy, KTVO in Kirksville, WICS in Springfield, WICD in Danville, and WVTV in Milwaukee, highlighting the geographic spread of the controversy.
Attorney Arthur Belendiuk points to evidence suggesting that Sinclair has consistently obscured its ownership structures and misled regulatory authorities. This allegation is not new but gains renewed attention with the petition's focus on a 2020 $48 million consent decree between Sinclair and the FCC. Frequency Forward criticizes the decree as inappropriate and presents new evidence, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, that allegedly shows Sinclair's continued misrepresentations during regulatory investigations.
The petition emphasizes that Sinclair's actions challenge the public interest standard essential for broadcast licensing. It calls on the FCC to conduct a thorough evaluation of whether Sinclair should retain its broadcast licenses, given the alleged pattern of regulatory deception. A comprehensive FCC hearing is requested to scrutinize Sinclair's corporate structures, financial relationships, and compliance with ownership regulations. The outcome of this petition could have far-reaching implications, potentially preventing the proposed license transfers and influencing future broadcast media ownership standards.
For more information on the FCC's role in broadcast licensing, visit https://www.fcc.gov.
