RICHARD J. DURBIN 
ILLINOIS 
DEMOCRATIC WHIP 
The Honorable Ajit Pai 
tinitrd ~rates ~cnetc 
~ashington, ~Q: 20510- 1 ;01 
February 22, 2018 
Chairman, Federal Communications Commission 
445 121h Street SW 
Washington, DC 20554 
Dear Chairman Pai: 
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS 
COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY 
COMMITIEE ON RULES 
AND ADMINISTRATION 
I write today with concerns about the amended proposal filed yesterday by Sinclair Broadcast 
Group for its proposed $3.9 billion merger with Tribune Media Company. Sinclair's amended 
proposal falls far short of making meaningful divestments. Instead, it exploits loopholes to skirt 
the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) media ownership limits and enables Sinclair 
to continue to dictate content to divested stations, threatening the interests of local audiences and 
harming competition. 
In their amended proposal, Sinclair disclosed its plan to divest from Tribune's WPIX-TV New 
York, WGN-TV Chicago, and KSWB-TV San Diego stations in order for the merger to comply 
with the FCC's 39 percent national media ownership cap. However, despite having the 
appearance of complying with the cap, the proposal also discloses that Sinclair already has 
purchase agreements with buyers for WPIX and WGN, which would allow Sinclair to avoid 
violating the FCC' s media ownership limits while retaining the ability to remotely operate the 
stations. 
While remotely operated stations would not count towards local or national FCC media 
ownership limits, Sinclair could still dictate content on these stations, including mandating 
Sinclair-produced segments. Sinclair also could be involved in decisions that result in firing 
local reporters. In fact, Sinclair has a concerning history of doing just that. 
Sinclair's amended proposal has fallen far short of its obligation to comply with existing FCC 
media ownership limits and fails to protect the Congressionally identified public benefit gained 
from a competitive broadcast landscape that serves the diverse and unique interests of local 
audiences. I urge you to give the proposed merger careful consideration. 
Sincerely, 
Richard J. Durbin 
United States Senator 
CC: Mignon Clyburn, Federal Communications Commissioner 
Jessica Rosenworcel, Federal Communications Commissioner 
Michael O'Rielly, Federal Communications Commissioner 
Brendan Carr, Federal Communications Commissioner 
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