Democratic Reps Press FCC for answers on Sinclair

House Commerce Committee Ranking Democratic Reps are demanding answers from the Federal Communications Commission about its “favorable treatment” of Sinclair Broadcast Group, which has been cashing in on a series of agency moves that are easing restrictions on its control of local television stations. In a 12-page letter sent to Republican FCC Chairman Ajit Pai on Aug 14, Reps Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), Mike Doyle (D-PA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) seized on multiple media reports detailing how the agency has been delivering on Sinclair’s deregulatory wish list. “We hope this letter will serve as an opportunity to respond to reports suggesting you have failed to exercise adequate independence as FCC Chairman and that may have resulted in the agency giving unusual and possibly preferential treatment to Sinclair," the three Democrats wrote. They asked Pai to come forward with more information about his office’s contacts with the White House and Sinclair on proceedings related to the broadcaster. They want any correspondence between Pai's office and Sinclair, including any lobbyists or lawyers, and whether Sinclair requested a short time frame.