The provided text appears to be a transcript of a news segment discussing the influence and potential issues of corporate consolidation in local news, particularly focusing on the media company Sinclair Broadcast Group.
The segment begins by discussing the role of local news in filling gaps in national news coverage and highlighting the trustworthiness of local news. It also introduces a commentator, Mark Hyman, who is associated with Sinclair Broadcast Group.
The narrator then goes on to discuss Sinclair's plans to acquire Tribune Media, which would make Sinclair the largest owner of local TV stations in the country. Concerns are raised about the potential for Sinclair's content to dominate local news broadcasts, with specific mention of Sinclair's conservative leaning and the potential for misinformation.
The segment also discusses Sinclair's practice of injecting its content into local news broadcasts, even dictating the content of some newscasts. It mentions instances where Sinclair has introduced controversial or biased segments into local news, such as a story questioning the integrity of the FBI's investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
The segment concludes with a call to action for viewers to be aware of who owns their local stations and to support independent journalism. It also provides a video message from Steve Schirripa, a character from "The Sopranos", warning about potential changes in local news broadcasts if the acquisition by Sinclair goes through.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
- Sinclair Broadcast Group is the largest owner of local TV stations in the US and could soon acquire Tribune Media.
- Sinclair produces and distributes conservative commentary segments and news stories that local stations are required to air.
- Sinclair's content has been criticized for being biased, misleading, or inaccurate by some journalists and media watchdogs.
- Sinclair's terrorism alert desk reports on terrorism-related stories every day, regardless of their relevance or veracity.
- Some Sinclair stations have resisted or rebelled against their parent company's directives.