The group, founded and chaired by Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., says the FCC erred in rejecting its request that an FCC hearing be held to look into allegations that Sinclair’s use of sidecar companies flouted FCC station ownership limits.
Rainbow PUSH Seeks Allbritton Sale Review
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition has asked the FCC to review its decision last month approving Sinclair Broadcast Group’s $985 million purchase of eight ABC affiliates in seven markets from Allbritton Communications.
The FCC’s Media Bureau cleared the deal after Sinclair made key changes to comply with tougher regulations adopted earlier this year generally banning the use of shared services and joint sales agreements to operate second stations in small markets where the FCC’s rules say broadcasters are supposed to only own one.
In its Aug. 25 application for review, Rainbow PUSH, founded and chaired by Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., said the bureau erred in rejecting a coalition request that an FCC hearing be held to look into allegations that Sinclair’s use of sidecar companies flouted FCC station ownership limits.
“The commission at last has an opportunity to consider whether its largest television licensee, as a lawbreaker and serial recidivist, is entitled to be a licensee,” Rainbow PUSH said in its filing.
Representatives of Sinclair and Allbritton declined comment on the challenge. The deal closed July 31.
David Honig, a Rainbow PUSH attorney, said the coalition had yet to determine whether it would take its challenge to court, assuming the FCC rejects the coalition’s request for review.
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“It’s too early to tell,” Honig said. “We’ll have to see how they rule and when they rule.”
Comments (5)
Michelle Underwood says:
August 25, 2014 at 2:21 pm
“America’s Ambulance Chaser” (props to George Will) must not be getting enough airtime in Ferguson.
Wagner Pereira says:
August 25, 2014 at 2:45 pm
They failed to hold out their hand for payoff…errr….payment in the beginning and they want it now.
Maria Black says:
August 25, 2014 at 4:05 pm
And why hasn’t this group gone after the other media companies doing this?
Brian Bussey says:
August 25, 2014 at 4:17 pm
When you insult anyone who speaks on behalf Afro-Americans, you actually make yourself look like the village idiot or just the next bigot in line.. I am a Afro American media professional enjoying my 26th year in my chosen profession. The fact is that my opportunity came available because another “ambulance chaser” named Pluria Marshall Sr. sued the FCC over minority representation in local broadcast stations. Until then, station sales managers perfected the fine art of “disqualifying” Afro American talent while they hired yell leaders and frat brother’s children. So spare me your coded BS about equality being achieved when there are less than 5 black men selling spot in DMA #10 with over 12 stations on the street. America is far from diverse and all of these consolidations have done nothing more than lay people off. Of course none of you will open your eyes until your plutocrat-gods drive the US economy off a cliff by further concentrating income into the top 5% of earners.
Wagner Pereira says:
August 26, 2014 at 4:15 am
Considering your attitude, that starts with your nick, I would NEVER have you on staff. That you have been in your profession for 26 years shows EOEC is working, to the dismay of people who believe in what they are selling.