BALTIMORE, March 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinclair
Broadcast Group, Inc. (the "Company" or "Sinclair") (NASDAQ: SBGI),
announces the launch of a special news unit to investigate the
Baltimore-Area Public Education system. The "Project Baltimore"
investigative team will examine the unique challenges that confront
the area's public school systems.
A significant emphasis will be centered on Baltimore County and Baltimore City Public Schools. Using
Baltimore City as an example, more
than 80,000 children attend Baltimore
City Public Schools and the cost of their education exceeds
$1.2 billion annually. Yet student
test scores and graduation rates remain low, while drop-out rates
remain high.
"The spending per student is among the highest in the country,
so we are asking, 'what are the students, parents and taxpayers
getting for their money?'"
commented Sinclair's Vice President of News, Scott Livingston.
The team of seven journalists will probe a wide array of topics
including budgets, school facilities, test scores, teacher pay,
school violence, athletics, unions and other components of the
education system. "We have one bold and ambitious goal, to save and
improve public education. We're doing this because we believe if we
don't, then no one will," added Livingston.
"The Project Baltimore unit will look into every aspect of the
Baltimore City and County public
school systems and uncover and report on the successes and failures
of these enormous governmental entities. We will hold leaders
accountable and be an advocate for the people. That's part of our
core mission," Livingston said.
The Project Baltimore investigative team will be based in
Sinclair's corporate headquarters in Hunt
Valley, Maryland. Their reports will begin airing on
Sinclair's Baltimore television
station, FOX 45, later this month. Bill Fanshawe, FOX 45
General Manager, says the station will work closely with the
Project Baltimore team.
"Our newsroom is very excited about this important investigative
initiative. We believe this content will be of very high interest
to viewers across our region. Baltimore and the surrounding areas are
terrific places and the area's families deserve the best education
system available," said Fanshawe.
"This is a long-term project," said Sinclair's Director of News
Content, Bill Anderson. "There are
many layers to this story. It can't be told in a week or a month.
These continuing reports will air year-round."
Lead investigative reporter, Chris
Papst, says the team is committed to telling all aspects of
the story. "There are many encouraging things happening in
the public school systems, and we will highlight those success
stories. But there are a significant number of troubling aspects of
public education and those stories need to be told. The voiceless
need a voice -- and we will give it to them through Project
Baltimore," said Papst.
About Sinclair
Sinclair is one of the largest and most diversified television
broadcasting companies in the country. The Company currently owns,
operates and/or provides services to 173 television stations in 81
markets, broadcasting 513 channels and having affiliations with all
the major networks. Sinclair is a leading local news provider in
the country, as well as a producer of live sports content.
Sinclair's content is delivered via multiple-platforms, including
over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and digital
platforms. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source
of Company information which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net.
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SOURCE Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.