[jedimastert]

I think the problem here is that if Sinclair can coerce these news organizations, what else can Sinclair coerce them to say? What if they were told to say something blatantly false, or to endorse one person over another. It's also not made clear at all in these broadcasts that they're being made to read from a script, which is a perfect recipe for astroturfing[1].

[1] https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Astroturfing

[downandout]

If I own a station, I’m not “coercing” it when I tell that station that it is our corporate policy to advise viewers of certain features that our channel offers. In this case, they wanted to make sure that viewers understand that there is a specific way to contact the station to complain about any bias they feel the station’s own news reports may have, as this has been an issue with the media recently. I see nothing wrong with that, and in fact I think it’s a positive thing. I have to say that I feel better about and more trusting of the local station I have seen that message on than I do about other local news stations, specifically because they have recognized this significant issue and are attempting to address it.

[specialist]

You may own the gear, but you wouldn't own the airwaves.

In fact, you'd only be granted permission to use the public's airwaves to serve the public interest.

[downandout]

Is it not in the public interest to ask people how they feel about your programming, and call their attention to significant problems in our world (such as media bias)?

[specialist]

Rather than file complaints directly with the FCC?