A disturbing video compilation of Sinclair Broadcast Group’s mandated “fake news” script has gone viral.
Earlier this month, CNN reported that Sinclair – which owns or operates over 170 local television stations in the U.S. – was requiring local anchors to read a script about “fake news.” According to internal documents, the initiative is called an “anchor-delivered journalistic responsibility message.”
“As scripted, the promos decry ‘fake stories’ from national news outlets,” CNN noted, “echoing President Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric about ‘fake news.’”
Deadspin compiled the video, detailing how Sinclair “turned its news anchors into soldiers in Trump’s war on the media.” Watch:
ThinkProgress transcribed the script:
Hi, I’m(A) ____________, and I’m (B) _________________…
(B) Our greatest responsibility is to serve our Northwest communities. We are extremely proud of the quality, balanced journalism that KOMO News produces.
(A) But we’re concerned about the troubling trend of irresponsible, one sided news stories plaguing our country. The sharing of biased and false news has become all too common on social media.
(B) More alarming, some media outlets publish these same fake stories… stories that just aren’t true, without checking facts first.
(A) Unfortunately, some members of the media use their platforms to push their own personal bias and agenda to control ‘exactly what people think’…This is extremely dangerous to a democracy.
(B) At KOMO it’s our responsibility to pursue and report the truth. We understand Truth is neither politically ‘left nor right.’ Our commitment to factual reporting is the foundation of our credibility, now more than ever.
(A) But we are human and sometimes our reporting might fall short. If you believe our coverage is unfair please reach out to us by going to KOMOnews.com and clicking on CONTENT CONCERNS. We value your comments. We will respond back to you.
(B) We work very hard to seek the truth and strive to be fair, balanced and factual… We consider it our honor, our privilege to responsibly deliver the news every day.
(A) Thank you for watching and we appreciate your feedback.
Multiple local news staffers shared with CNN that they viewed the mandate and its content as inappropriate – and “another corporate infringement on local journalism.”
As it’s been pointed out:
A list of stations owned or operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group can be found here.