Commentary
Sinclair Anchors Forced To Read Anti-Media Promo Scripts
- by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, March 9, 2018
One major TV station group is looking to bash national TV news networks via on-air promos intended to run next to local news time content, rather than ad content.
That’s not good. But that’s not the worst of it.
Sinclair Broadcast Group, the nearly 200 TV station group, is demanding its local TV on-air anchors -- its on-air journalists -- read these promos.
One initial copy of the promo, according to CNN, says:
“The sharing of biased and false news has become all too common in the media. More alarming is that national media outlets are publishing these same fake stories without checking the facts first. Unfortunately, some members of the national media are using their platforms to push their own personal bias and agenda to control 'exactly what people think'.”
These promos don’t offer any details. There are no specific TV networks and no specific TV stories cited to back up the claim.
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According to a CNN report, many Sinclair TV stations news anchors aren’t happy about this, calling this forced move “manipulative.” Sinclair has long been associated with conservative, right-wing programming decisions.
If Sinclair senior executives have problems with current national TV journalism, here’s a suggestion: Do better journalism on your local TV stations. A new organization’s advertising (what you say) means little; but serious, substantial content, your journalism, means more.
I have no problem with general TV stations or network on-air promos talking about how news organizations are pursuing “truth” or the “facts” -- perhaps via a voiceover announcer and underlying video.
But putting one’s own on-air anchors/journalists in uncomfortable positions -- reading copy that attacks TV news competitors, without any proof -- takes on an Orwellian feel. It is not appropriate; it smacks of agitprop.
All this follows other Sinclair moves. For instance, specific corporate-wide "must run" news packages, as well as a regular segment called "Terrorism Alert Desk" about perceived security threats worldwide.
CNN says the new Sinclair TV news promo initiative is described as an "anchor-delivered journalistic responsibility message."
Journalistic responsibly begins at home -- just show the facts and tell the story. If you are good, save the promotional time and sell some advertising.
Wayne Friedman is West Coast Editor of MediaPost. You can reach Wayne at wayne@mediapost.com.
This country and its journaists have lost their way on both sides! Report the news no matter local, national or international. STOP taking sides and do the job. Today's so called journalists have forgotten or were never taught the purpose or history of the job. It is not to earn ratings to earn more ad dollars for the media they represent. It is to report the actions of the people and environment around them and throughout thew world. We would find it very hard to find one inthis country not trying to make themselves a star to get a higher profile postion, earn more money and then move to a bigger market. Do your job report the news as it happens and watch as you move up. Ownership notices and rewards those who do.
Even Bill Maher, certianly not a conservative is calling how the National Networks about their coverage of the news of the day. Many people in the country are fed up with the information flow referred to as news.
Back in the day you did not know Walter Cronkite's, David Brinkley's or Chet Huntley's politics.
Take a breath Wayne, everyone takes a cheap shot when promoting against their competition. The examples of the biases of all the cable news networks are endless and pretty much indisputable, there's no need to back up their claim or provide proof. Tune into any for 2 minutes and you got your proof. It's pretty laughable that you're quoting a CNN report, when they're obviously the target of Sinclair's campaign. Can't wait to read your next article about CNN promos that are attacking FoxNews.
After reading this article and the comments, it's apparent that there is no easy way out of this mess. We lost our accurate "truth compass" long ago, and now far too many Americans are using whatever weird folk remedy direction finder they can get their hands on.
And in the now way too common false equivalency manner, Sinclair's forced statement is actually accurate, ... if they were reading it into a mirror.
People do not know, do not care, do not care to know. Too busy twitting about the bachelor.
Exactly what the Nazi propaganda machine did to start the takeover. Condem real maedia. THis is the ultimate pot calling the kettle black.
Correction Tom Gray, the CNN promos are attacking the entire alt right media comunity. The community that makse up Pizzagates.