Report: FCC Inspector General Probing Chairman Pai's Role In Sinclair Deal, Regulatory Changes

Pai

The FCC's Inspector General, DAVID L. HUNT, is investigating allegations that the Commission's Chairman AJIT PI improperly pushed for rule changes benefiting SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP and its pending takeover of TRIBUNE MEDIA's television and radio stations, reports the NEW YORK TIMES.

The investigation, which has not been formally acknowledged by the Inspector General's office, followed concern voiced by House Energy and Commerce Committee ranking member FRANK PALLONE (D-NJ) and other Democrats that the easing of ownership limits and the re-establishment of the "UHF Discount" in determining national ownership reach was timed by PAI to ease approval of SINCLAIR's deal and might be part of a quid pro quo in exchange for favorable coverage of President TRUMP on SINCLAIR stations. SINCLAIR is known for having its stations carry conservative political commentaries in news programming. The TIMES previously reported last AUGUST that PAI and his staff had frequent correspondence with SINCLAIR executives, and noted that language in SINCLAIR's lobbying efforts "tracked closely" with PAI's own words in speeches calling for changes in regulation.

PALLONE told the TIMES, “For months I have been trying to get to the bottom of the allegations about Chairman PAI’s relationship with SINCLAIR BROADCASTING. I am grateful to the FCC’s inspector general that he has decided to take up this important investigation.”

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