Better Late Than Never
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The Providence Journal has finally gotten around to reporting that Sinclair owned WJAR, the most watched TV station in the state, is forced to air pro-Trump propaganda.
The Journal writes three of the segments have rattled viewers and WJAR’s own news reporters, according to Fletcher Fischer, the business manager and financial secretary of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1228, the union that represents broadcast workers there:
‒ The Terrorism Alert Desk, advertised as a daily news update about terrorist activity.
‒ News pieces from Epshteyn, Sinclair’s chief political analyst.
‒ A clearly labeled opinion show featuring Mark Hyman, a former vice president of the company.
These pieces are fed to Sinclair’s 174 stations in the United States every day.
Sinclair’s insertion of the segments into news programming has been harshly critiqued by Rhode Islanders and national commentators.
Gloria Crist, a 54-year-old actress from Tiverton, says she’s stopped watching the station.
Rep. David N. Cicilline condemned the practice, saying: “Rhode Islanders rely on our local news being produced in Rhode Island, not directed by a national conglomerate for local broadcasters to deliver.”
Brandon Bell, chairman of the Republican Party in Rhode Island, demurred when asked whether Sinclair’s mandatory content could help his party in the Ocean State.
“As far as I’m concerned, the local news shouldn’t be liberal or conservative — the important thing is that local news is factually based and fairly and objectively reported. We can watch [Sean] Hannity or [Rachel] Maddow if it is about right or left,” he said.
