Should Sinclair Sideline Boris?
/
The group Allied Progress has been very outspoken about the Sinclair/Tribune merger, but now, they want Sinclair to pull their commentator Boris Epshteyn off the air.
Epshteyn is giving testimony to the House Intelligence Committee which is probing Russia's influence in the 2016 election. Allied Progress thinks that he should not be on Sinclair stations, cheerleading for President Trump while at the same time being called to testify about his role in the Trump campaign.
"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.
Sinclair's VP of News, Scott Livingston called the letter by Allied Progress more rhetoric.
"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.
Here is the letter from Allied Progress to Sinclair:
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
