BALTIMORE, Sept. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinclair
Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) ("Sinclair") announces the
launch of a national investigative unit, utilizing its
award-winning investigative reporters and producers across the
Sinclair station group and Circa, to produce original stories, of
both local and national importance that cannot be found anywhere
else. "We are having incredible success with accountability
reporting in multiple markets. Viewers want an honest presentation
of the news and appreciate the hard work and dedication required to
research and uncover the truth regarding the issues that impact
their lives," commented Scott
Livingston, Vice President of News for Sinclair. "Our
strategy in many Sinclair markets will be to shift some daily news
coverage resources into investigative journalism. Sinclair plans to
raise the overall number of investigative reporters strategically
positioned on the ground to over 100 reporters."
Today, Sinclair's largest local news investigative team is at
WJLA in Washington, DC,
with 11 journalists. "Twenty-two of our news operations
have investigative reporters and we will stress investigative
journalism in future recruiting efforts," said Livingston.
Sinclair launched a weekly national investigative news program,
Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson
in 2015. The program is ready to launch its third season after
achieving record ratings in the first two seasons. Viewership has
increased 116% in the key 25-54 demographic, outperforming cable
news programming despite only reaching 38% of the country. "Week
after week, Full Measure continues to deliver unique stories you
won't see anywhere else. Viewers trust our team for honest
reporting and a commitment to accountability," said Livingston. The
show is led by 5-time Emmy Award-winning Investigative Reporter
Sharyl Attkisson and Executive
Producer Batt Humphreys, both former network journalists. "We tell
it like it is and that clearly resonates and is gaining momentum
with the audience," said Humphreys.
Another Sinclair news investigative initiative is Project
Baltimore, an ongoing investigation of the public school systems in
the Baltimore area. Baltimore City schools suffer from poor test
scores, underperforming schools, high dropout rates and one of the
highest taxpayer spending per student in the country. Sinclair and
its Baltimore station, WBFF, have invested in four investigative
journalists led by national award-winning Chief Investigative
Reporter Chris Papst. "People
have wanted more in this city for kids for decades and it's never
happened," Papst explains. "We are exposing why and are
focused on being the mouthpiece for parents who want something
better." The Project Baltimore unit will look into every aspect of
the Baltimore City and Baltimore
County School systems and uncover and report on the successes and
failures of these enormous government entities. In just six months,
the team has uncovered apparent evidence of grade fixing,
allegations of manipulation of school crime data, questionable
spending, and unsatisfactory conditions in some city schools. As a
result of our investigation, the Baltimore City school system has launched an
investigation into possible grade fixing. "This is a great case
study on the value of continuous investigative storytelling. We
hold leaders accountable and are an advocate for the community.
That's part of our core mission," Livingston said.
"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," said Anderson.
Sinclair will also leverage our investigative reporters at
Circa, our Emmy winning millennial-focused digital news source.
Circa's investigative reporters broke the stories of the unmasking
of thousands of private citizens by the U.S. government; the
auctioning of recalled cars by the General Services Administration
and the growing rate of seizures and forfeitures by local
governments.
"Sinclair has a steadfast dedication to providing content that
exposes the truth. Our experienced, award-winning journalists
alert, empower and protect. The anticipated acquisition of
Tribune will add more opportunity to collaborate with our local
newsrooms to create even more investigative content that benefits
all of our viewers," said Livingston. "This was a proud year for
our news operations with more than 90 Regional Emmy Awards, 36
Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards including two "Overall Excellence"
awards, 2 National Murrow Awards and 2 National Gracie
Awards."
About Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
Sinclair is one of the largest and most diversified television
broadcasting companies in the country. Pro forma for the Tribune
acquisition (before any related divestitures), the Company will
own, operate and/or provide services to 233 television stations in
108 markets. The Company has multiple emerging networks as
well as stations affiliated with all the major networks. Sinclair
is a leading local news provider in the country and 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.
View original content with
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sinclair-broadcast-group-announces-expanded-national-investigative-initiative-300517954.html
SOURCE Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.