Frequency Forward has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prevent Sinclair's proposed transfer of broadcast licenses to Rincon Broadcasting Group, asserting that the media company has repeatedly violated multiple ownership rules through complex corporate structures.
The petition contends that Sinclair has consistently used shell corporations like Cunningham Broadcasting and Deerfield Media to maintain de facto control of stations it cannot legally own. By alleging systematic misrepresentation and concealment of financial relationships, Frequency Forward argues that Sinclair has undermined the public interest standard for broadcast licensing.
The challenge focuses on five specific television stations located in Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The organization claims Sinclair has engaged in a pattern of regulatory deception, including sharing legal counsel across entities and failing to disclose critical operational relationships.
This legal action follows a 2020 FCC consent decree in which Sinclair paid $48 million to settle previous investigations. Frequency Forward argues that the earlier settlement was inadequate and did not address fundamental issues of corporate integrity.
The petition represents a significant challenge to Sinclair's broadcast operations, potentially preventing the transfer of licenses and forcing a comprehensive review of the company's corporate governance and regulatory compliance.
