Fisher Communications (KOMO, KVI, etc.,) sold to Sinclair

[PSPS]

From: http://www.miscmedia.com/2013/04/11/americas-worst-broadcaster-comes-to-town/

Also see: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Sinclair-acquiring-Fisher-Communications-202532881.html

Sinclair is the outfit that imposes right-wing propaganda content on its properties:

In 2003, Sinclair ordered ABC affiliates it owned not to run a Nightline episode about Gulf War combat deaths.

In 2004, Sinclair ordered all its stations to run, in prime time, a propaganda film by the “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth,” spreading false allegations about John Kerry’s service record in Vietnam.

In 2010, Sinclair ordered six of its stations to run, in prime time, an even less-true GOP propaganda film branding Obama as an anti-democracy extremist and an ally of mideast terrorists.

[fredamae]

1. This is another "check"

in the Pro column of reasons to disconnect-

[freshwest]

2. This follows Seattle Times joining the shift right. It will effect elections here, already does.

[Ron Obvious]

3. The AM radio dial has become a wasteland here...

I'm a longstanding talk radio-fan who used to enjoy the old KING 1090, KIRO, KOMO, and of course, NPR, but lately when I try to scan the dial for anything to listen to there's literally nothing interesting on anywhere. Who needs all this sports radio, crazy morning gang, right wing propaganda, and popular-culture crap?

Even NPR has dumbed down tremendously in recent years.

Classic KING is the only station that's gotten better in its new format.

[eridani]

4. Commentary from Northwest Progressive Institute

Bad news for the Pacific Northwest: KOMO owner Fisher agrees to sell itself to Sinclair

http://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2013/04/bad-news-for-the-pacific-northwest-komo-owner-fisher-agrees-to-sell-itself-to-sinclair.html


And just like that, another local institution is gone.

Fisher Communications, one of the last independently-owned media companies in the Pacific Northwest, has decided to sell itself to an out of state, right wing media conglomerate for $373 million, the company announced today.

“After conducting our review of potential strategic alternatives, the Board concluded this all-cash transaction was the best path to maximizing value for shareholders,” said Paul A. Bible, Chairman of Fisher’s Board of Directors, in a statement.

“Sinclair is the largest independent TV broadcaster in the country, and we believe its commitment to the industry — along with its greater scale and sizable resources — will provide our stations, team members and business partners with new opportunities to flourish,” said Colleen B. Brown, Fisher’s President and CEO.

We disagree. Fisher’s decision to sell itself is bad news for our region, bad news for media diversity, and bad news for all who care about good journalism.

Sinclair Broadcast Group is the media conglomerate that made a name for itself (in a bad way) during the 2004 presidential campaign when it became known that it was forcing its local stations to air an anti-John Kerry “documentary” called “Stolen Honor” on the eve of the election. This prompted a fierce backlash and a “Stop Sinclair/Boycott Sinclair” campaign, which took a serious toll on Sinclair’s stock.