State Attorney's Office Wants FCC to Investigate Sinclair Station

Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby

The Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office says it filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday requesting an investigation of WBFF, the Sinclair-owned station in Baltimore.

The Baltimore Sun reports that the letter of complaint against Sinclair’s flagship station was written by Zy Richardson, communications director and it alleges a pattern of coverage of the state’s attorney’s office that is “blatantly slanted, dishonest, misleading, racist, and extremely dangerous.”

The letter further charges that the station has engaged in what “appears to be an intentional crusade” against Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, “which given today’s politically charged and divisive environment, is extremely dangerous.”

Sinclair responded to the complaint from Mosby’s office.

“WBFF is committed to journalism in the public interest with its award-winning investigative unit being a key part of delivering on that commitment,” said Billy Robbins, vice president and general manager of WBFF. “While we understand that it’s not always popular with the individuals and institutions upon which we are shining a light, we stand by our reporting.”

The complaint alleges a “dangerous pattern” to WBFF’s coverage of the state’s attorney’s office and Mosby.

The complaint also notes the frequency of coverage of the office and Mosby by WBFF versus other stations in the market. According to Richardson, WBFF ran 248 stories in 2020 about Mosby and the office, while WJZ ran 46, WBAL ran 26 and WMAR ran 10 during that year.

“While the frequency of the coverage in question by WBFF would give any reasonable person pause, it is the tone of coverage that violates FCC rules,” the complaint says. “The coverage by WBFF represents acts that are not merely against the public interest; they also represent acts that are inflammatory against the public safety of an elected official.”

The FCC says that they do not comment on or confirm individual complaints.