• by David Kaplan , November 1, 2004

After weathering the storm created by its initial intention to force its stations to run a film critical of Senator John Kerry, Sinclair Broadcast Group is now being accused of operating illegal duopolies in two different states by media protest group Free Press, which filed a petition against the company Monday with the Federal Communications Commission.

Free Press is charging that a duopoly--two commonly owned and controlled stations in the same market --exists in North and South Carolina, and is being run by Sinclair. In its petition with the FCC, Free Press is asking the agency to deny the renewal of Sinclair Broadcast Group's television licenses in both states.

The group is also challenging two licenses held by Cunningham Broadcasting. Free Press accuses Cunningham of being a "sham owner" that has relinquished complete economic and editorial control of its stations to Sinclair.

Eight station licenses are at stake: WXLV-TV, Winston-Salem, N.C.; WUPN-TV, Greensboro, N.C.; WBSC-T, Anderson, S.C.; WTAT-TV, Charleston, S.C.; WLFL-TV, Raleigh, N.C.; WRDC-TV, Durham, N.C.; WLOS-TV, Asheville, N.C.; and WMMP-TV, Charleston, S.C.

Sinclair representatives did not return calls seeking comment.

Free Press bills itself as a non-partisan organization that seeks to promote "a more competitive, public interest-oriented media system." It was founded by University of Illinois professor, media scholar, and author Robert McChesney.