Group fighting Sinclair-Tribune merger wants Trump reporter off air
Paul Bedard | The Washington Examiner | September 26, 2017
A progressive group fighting Sinclair Broadcast Group’s $3.9 billion merger with Tribune Media is calling on the TV giant to take its chief political analyst and former Trump White House aide off the air, claiming he’s “a participant” in the Russia scandal.
Allied Progress on Tuesday asked Sinclair to sideline Boris Epshteyn, suggesting that he is a cheerleader for the administration.
“Since joining Sinclair, Mr. Epshteyn has used his position to promote the Trump Administration and has questioned media reporting on the Russia investigation,” wrote Karl Frisch, executive director of Allied Progress. “We find it troubling that Sinclair gives him a massive platform to promote his controversial viewpoints given his ties to possible illicit activity – activity which he still provides political commentary on,” he added.
The letter was delivered as Epshteyn was set to give voluntary testimony to the House Intelligence Committee which is probing Russia’s influence in the 2016 election.
The letter was sent to Sinclair News Director Scott Livingston, who brushed aside the accusations and said Russian-born 34-year-old Epshteyn will remain on the air.
“This is more rhetoric from an activist group who opposes free speech,” he said.
Livingston added that Epshteyn’s decision to appear before the House panel has “nothing to do” with the Sinclair merger.
The merge is a hot button issue especially in progressive circles because Sinclair is viewed as a more center-right focused network than traditional New York-based mainstream media.
Recent reports claim that Sinclair has asked affiliates to run more of Epshteyn’s analysis.
The FCC is currently reviewing the merger that would create America’s biggest broadcast group.
Below is the Allied Progress letter:
Mr. Scott Livingston, News Director
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
10706 Beaver Dam Road
Hunt Valley, MD 21030
Dear Mr. Livingston,
On Monday, September 25, 2017, the Associated Press reported that Sinclair Chief Political Analyst Boris Epshteyn is slated to testify behind closed doors in front of the House Intelligence Committee as part of the committee’s ongoing investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. It’s clear that when it comes to coverage of Russia’s influence in the 2016 Presidential election, Mr. Epshteyn isn’t a spectator like other political analysts: he’s a participant.
Mr. Epshteyn served in senior positions on the Trump Campaign, the Presidential Inauguration and later in the Trump White House before joining Sinclair. According to reports, Mr. Epshteyn continues to frequent the White House and serve as a confidant to members of the Trump family. Mr. Epshteyn, a Russian national, has a track record of promoting business in Russia and going to great lengths to defend Russian acts of aggression.
Since joining Sinclair, Mr. Epshteyn has used his position to promote the Trump Administration and has questioned media reporting on the Russia investigation. David Zurawik, the Baltimore Sun’s media reporter, recently called Epshteyn’s commentaries, “as close to classic propaganda as I think I’ve seen in close to 30 years of covering local TV and national TV.”
We find it troubling that Sinclair gives him a massive platform to promote his controversial viewpoints given his ties to possible illicit activity – activity which he still provides political commentary on. Every week your more than 170 of stations are required to air nine segments from Mr. Epshteyn. Yet, Sinclair does not even disclose his ties to Russia or the House Russia Investigation.
We call on Sinclair to bar Mr. Epshteyn from any editorial involvement related to the Russia investigation, including all coverage of the Trump Administration.
Sincerely,
Karl Frisch
Executive Director Allied Progress