Journalism Professor Warns of Potential Perils If Sinclair Broadcasting Buys WXYZ

Professor Tim Kiska (UM photo)

University of Michigan-Dearborn journalism professor Tim Kiska has a warning about conservative Sinclair Broadcasting possibly buying WXYZ-TV: Be concerned.

Kiska, a former Detroit News and Free Press reporter, writes in a guest column in the Freep:

Ever-bigger chain ownership has evolved into the crucial issue in local broadcast journalism quality. It’s an especially sore topic regarding Sinclair, which has at times ordered local news anchors to read copy sent down from corporate headquarters. Sinclair ABC stations recently pulled Jimmy Kimmel from his late-night spot after his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, then relented after talks with the network.

If the sale goes through, Sinclair will become only the third Channel 7 owner in its 77-year history.

Maryland-based Sinclair Broadcasting disclosed in a Nov. 17 SEC filing that it has acquired an 8.2% stake in E.W. Scripps, Kiska writes. Its hope is to acquire WXYZ, which would give it 179 TV stations.