The age-old adage of journalism, whether it be print or broadcast, that it must be objective and free of bias is still widely regarded as the way things should be done. However, that line seems to have been blurred in recent times.
By now the majority of Americans have seen the Deadspin article where they played a video of local news stations across the country reciting a script handed down to them from Sinclair Broadcasting Group.
There’s all this talk about the restriction of free speech on college campus and the bias of mainstream media. How the media has an inherently liberal bias and how conservative speech is censored.
Yet those same people crying foul have been weirdly silent on Sinclair’s, a notoriously conservative entity, attempt to gain a stranglehold on local news as a whole.
The issue is not that they’re well-known Trump supporters or that they are conservative. The issue is their blatant attempt to monopolize the message that local news reporters broadcast to their audience.
The script they force anchors to read out is meant to brainwash viewers to believe everyone else is lying to them and spreading “fake news.”
What should be even more concerning is that Sinclair is currently in talks to acquire Tribune Media which owns other media outlets, including WGN.
If the acquisition goes through then Sinclair will control 233 station amounting to roughly 72 percent of American households.
While they have offered to sell WGN and other markets in order to get approval for the acquisition, they will look to maintain some sort of control in order to allow them to pass down mandates from management in terms of what should be reported on.
Whatever one’s opinions on the current president are, it should worry everyone because what we saw in the Deadspin video came across less as a public service announcement and more like a piece of propaganda reinforcing the belief of the current administration.
All one has to do is look at one of the new mandates set by ownership where these news stations have to play a commentary segment from Boris Epshteyn, a Republican strategist and chief political analyst. The segment titled “Bottom Line with Boris Epshteyn,” is simply Boris parroting talking points from the administration.
His segment is considered a “must run” so every news station has to air it.
Local news is important to the community because it highlights what is happening in that community. The anchors and reporters are people that community feels like they can trust. There is a sort of relationship that they establish that they do not have with national reporters or stations.
The expansion and takeover from Sinclair Group is a threat to free speech and the “diversity of ideas” that the free market advocates call out for. The diversity of ideas is thrown out the window when the only ideas being offered up are the ones they agree with.
In a time where media is already viewed as biased and untrustworthy, Sinclair aims to take advantage and make it so their viewpoint is the only one that matters. The goal seems to be stop everyone from criticizing the president and his policies.
For an administration who constantly talks about North Korea and how its people are brainwashed into praising Kim Jong-Un, that seems what Sinclair is trying to turn this country into.
Letter to the Editor Policy
Here at The Xavierite, we try to represent the thoughts and opinions of the student body and Saint Xavier community within our Viewpoints section. If you feel that there is a story that should have been covered and was not or if you have criticism or concerns about our coverage, the best way to voice your opinion directly is through a Letter to the Editor.
Please send an email with “Letter to the Editor” in the subject line to thexavieritenewspaper@gmail.com
If you are a student be sure to include your name and major in the email. If you are a member of the staff or faculty be sure to provide your name and title/position.
We are always searching for feedback. All thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated.
Letters may be edited for content if they contain profanity, libel or do not otherwise correspond with ethical practices in journalism.
Letters may also be printed at the editor’s discretion.