NEWS RELEASE
COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE DEMOCRATS
Congressman John D. Dingell, Ranking Member

Dingell Releases FCC Response to
Sinclair Broadcasting Inquiry

Washington, D.C. – Congressman John D. Dingell, Ranking Member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, today released a letter from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to a letter asking for an investigation of the Sinclair Broadcasting Group’s plan to run a critical program about Presidential candidate John Kerry.

The film has been described in press reports as a one-sided documentary that attacks on Kerry’s conduct during the Vietnam era. Sinclair Broadcasting has reportedly backed away from airing the full documentary, but intends to run significant portions of it days before the election.

Dingell and Congressman Ed Markey, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, in an October 13th letter asked that the FCC investigate this matter, respond to several questions about broadcast licensees’ public interest obligations, and take appropriate action to enforce the Communications Act. They did not request that the Commission take preemptive action to stop Sinclair from airing the program.

"Chairman Powell’s response is a warning to broadcasters. It explicitly recognizes that licensees like Sinclair have an obligation to serve the public interest and that if questions are raised about their failure to do so, the FCC is prepared to expeditiously investigate the matter and take action," said Dingell. "It is important to note that such action could significantly affect the renewal of licenses and even result in their revocation."

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