Frequency Forward has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to block Sinclair, Inc.'s proposed transfer of five broadcast licenses to Rincon Broadcasting Group, alleging systematic evasion of multiple ownership rules and repeated misrepresentations to regulators. The petition details Sinclair's alleged use of shell corporations, including Cunningham Broadcasting and Deerfield Media, to circumvent FCC ownership restrictions. Frequency Forward argues these entities are not genuinely independent broadcasters but instead constitute a 'shadow network' designed to skirt federal regulations.
The challenged license transfers involve stations in Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin: KHQA in Quincy, KTVO in Kirksville, WICS in Springfield, WICD in Danville, and WVTV in Milwaukee. According to attorney Arthur Belendiuk, the evidence suggests Sinclair has consistently concealed ownership structures and misled regulatory authorities. The petition contends that Sinclair's actions fundamentally challenge the public interest standard required for broadcast licensing, arguing the FCC must rigorously evaluate whether Sinclair deserves to maintain its broadcast licenses given the alleged pattern of regulatory deception.
Central to the complaint is criticism of a 2020 $48 million consent decree between Sinclair and the FCC. The petition argues the agreement was inappropriate and highlights new evidence obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, which purportedly demonstrates ongoing misrepresentations by Sinclair even during regulatory investigations. This development is significant because it challenges the adequacy of previous regulatory settlements and suggests systemic issues within broadcast ownership oversight.
The petition calls for a comprehensive FCC hearing to thoroughly examine Sinclair's corporate structures, financial relationships, and compliance with ownership regulations. The outcome could potentially prevent the proposed license transfers and have significant implications for broadcast media ownership standards nationwide. This matters because it tests the FCC's ability to enforce ownership limits designed to prevent media concentration and promote diverse viewpoints in local markets. The case highlights ongoing tensions between broadcast conglomerates seeking expansion and public interest advocates concerned about media consolidation's effects on competition and local journalism.
If successful, the petition could establish stronger precedents for scrutinizing complex corporate structures in broadcasting and reinforce the importance of transparency in license transfers. The allegations of repeated misrepresentations to regulators raise questions about compliance culture within major broadcast groups and the effectiveness of current enforcement mechanisms. This petition represents a significant challenge to one of the nation's largest broadcast companies at a time when media ownership rules face increasing scrutiny from both consumer advocates and industry stakeholders seeking regulatory modernization.
