To the Federal Communications Commission:

We’re depending on you to reject the Sinclair Broadcast Group’s bid to merge with Tribune Media. There’s no way a single corporate voice can speak to the local realities of more than 70 percent of the U.S. population.

Right now, you have the power to stand up against corporate forces that want to monopolize broadcast airwaves — a public resource that should reflect the rich diversity of cultures and viewpoints that makes our communities vibrant.

Please deliver the ethical leadership we deserve. Stop the Sinclair-Tribune merger and restore our faith in your commitment to the public interest.

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    Tell the FCC to #StopSinclair and End the Runaway Media Consolidation That’s Silencing Our Communities

    Deadspin’s viral video of news anchors across the nation reading from the same exact propaganda script was pretty jarring. But this issue is bigger than #TrumpTV1 and friends.

    Because the FCC slashed its longstanding media-ownership limits in 2017, corporations are now allowed to swallow up more daily newspapers, TV outlets and radio stations in a single market.

    Also last year, the FCC voted to repeal Net Neutrality — the rules that barred companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon from interfering with our ability to share and access information of our choosing.

    The bottom line: Trump’s FCC is moving swiftly to silence voices that are independent, diverse and actually serve and care for local communities.

    Companies like Sinclair are using trusted local news anchors to force hateful stories into our communities.2 They swallow up large swaths of local media, making it nearly impossible for local voices to be heard. Voices like yours.

    We envision a media system that is owned by many, telling the stories of all.

    That means diverse ownership of platforms, both digital and traditional. It means media owners, newsrooms, media makers and communities that reject White supremacy. And it means ensuring that people of color can show up as their full selves within media organizations, and enjoy equal access to content that reflects their lives.

    The first step to building the media we deserve? Stopping Sinclair's consolidation rampage.

    Urge the FCC to reject the Sinclair-Tribune merger and get back to the business of serving people.

    1. “Kushner: We Struck Deal with Sinclair for Straighter Coverage,” Politico, Dec. 16, 2016: https://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/trump-campaign-sinclair-broadcasting-jared-kushner-232764

    2. “Sinclair’s Terrorism Alert Desk Segments Are Designed to Gin Up Xenophobia Via Local News,” Media Matters, March 1, 2018: https://www.mediamatters.org/research/2018/03/01/sinclair-s-terrorism-alert-desk-segments-are-designed-gin-xenophobia-local-news/219517

    Video by Deadspin