Sinclair Broadcast Group gives a possible presidential contender a microphone

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Hat tip, DCRTV

Sinclair Broadcast Group gives a possible presidential contender a microphone

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By Paul Farhi January 21
@farhip
[e-mail]

Fox News cut its ties with famed surgeon and conservative political commentator Ben Carson in November, when it appeared that Carson would soon declare his candidacy for president. But the still undeclared Carson continues to have a TV home thanks to another conservative media company, Sinclair Broadcast Group.

On Monday, Carson was a panelist on a televised “town hall” about race relations. The one-hour discussion program was produced by Arlington, Va.-based WJLA, the largest of Sinclair’s chain of TV stations, and aired on NewsChannel 8, the regional cable news channel. But the program’s reach was much wider than the Washington area: Sinclair streamed or broadcast the program on stations it owns in 78 markets, giving Carson a national presence.

Carson appeared on another Sinclair-produced town hall in October, this one about the national response to the Ebola outbreak. The program was produced by WJLA and also carried across the country on Sinclair stations.

The two appearances bookended Carson’s splashiest TV appearance to date — an hour-long autobiographical promotional film that aired in early November and touched off speculation that Carson would soon declare his candidacy. The program, called “A Breath of Fresh Air, A New Prescription for America,” was also carried by Sinclair’s stations. WJLA even ran a commercial announcing Carson’s infomercial, in effect airing an ad promoting a program-length ad.

[kwolf68]

1. Is anyone really worried about this guy?

I say let him talk, the more he talks the higher the hilarity. He's a kook, a fringe candidate that has limited national appeal. He's nothing more than campaign fodder.

[appalachiablue]

2. I'm concerned about the size and reach of Sinclair, they're enormous.

[blkmusclmachine]

3. +1