FCC Slaps Sinclair On The Wrist

The FCC has finally decided to penalize Sinclair Broadcasting for failing to disclose paid content in the company's newscasts. The action centers around ads for the Huntsman Cancer Institute that were made to look like news segments. FTVLive broke that story more than a year ago in August, 2016.

How much is the fine? $13.3 million or about $7,700 for each of the approximate 1,700 spots that ran.  That's quite a discount from the maximum fine that could have reached of between $40 - $60 million.

Then again, FCC chair Ajit Pai seems to be in Sinclair's pocket. That has prompted a Congressional request for the FCC inspector general to investigate Pai to see if he's pushing the commission in decisions that benefit Sinclair.

No one needs an investigation to see what's happening, here.

Too bad it will have zero impact on Sinclair closing on the Tribune stations.

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