Sinclair’s under the radar ActBlue smear campaign

 

Sinclair Broadcasting is one of the largest and most influential forces in American media. Disguised as local news, it’s actually a nationwide propaganda machine—spreading far-right narratives through nearly 200 stations across the country.

Now, Sinclair is activating that network to help launch a coordinated, under-the-radar smear campaign against ActBlue—piggybacking on the broader MAGA effort to dismantle the infrastructure that fuels Democratic campaigns.

We’ll expose how they’re doing it in a moment. But first—can you chip in $25 or more to help COURIER expose this disinformation and build the local media alternative Americans need?

Last year, Sinclair executive chairman David D. Smith bought The Baltimore Sun, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected newspapers. His partner in the purchase? 

Armstrong Williams, a far-right commentator with close ties to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

Today, Williams is the public face of The Sun. His columns run regularly. His interviews are republished as news content. And his commentary is broadcast across Sinclair-owned TV stations nationwide.

This week, Williams used his platform to publish a column smearing ActBlue—falsely linking the Democratic fundraising platform to terrorism, foreign interference, riots, and elder abuse.

And Sinclair got to work amplifying it.

From FOX affiliates in mid-Michigan and CBS stations in Texas to the pages of The Baltimore Sun, these lies are being presented as legitimate journalism all over the country. See for yourself:

COURIER is exposing this attack for what it is — not local news, but a coordinated political attack designed to discredit and dismantle Democratic infrastructure.

Our 11 state-based newsrooms reach millions of Americans with factual, values-driven reporting in the same places where right-wing propaganda spreads. We tell the truth, hold power accountable, and protect the freedom to organize, speak out, and stay informed.

If you believe we need a factual, local news alternative to Sinclair’s disinformation machine—one strong enough to fight back and tell the truth—chip in now to support COURIER’s mission.

Chip in $25
Thank you for standing with us,
— The COURIER Team

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Email us: info@couriernewsroom.com

Become a member! 

To give by check:

Courier Newsroom
101 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10013

The dangerous rise of the Sinclair Broadcast Group

 

Earlier this year, The Baltimore Sun — the largest daily newspaper in Maryland — was purchased by the Sinclair Broadcast Group, the right-wing media empire that’s been taking over local media outlets for the last decade. 

In case you don’t know, The Baltimore Sun is one of the highest-quality newspapers in the country. In 2020, they won the Pulitzer Prize for local reporting.

Despite this fact, Sinclair’s ownership of The Sun is off to a disturbing start:

As local newsrooms close or get gobbled up by the right-wing Sinclair, more and more communities are being left without reliable local news coverage, leaving “news deserts” where communities are susceptible to right-wing disinformation. 

At COURIER, we’re fighting back by building the largest left-leaning network of local newsrooms in the country. We call ourselves Democracy’s newsroom  – can you chip in today to power our work?

Just last year, Sinclair made news by ceasing most or all local news broadcasts at 10 of its stations in different cities and states across the country. 

As multiple news teams were laid off, they were replaced by Sinclair’s national weekday program, The National Desk — which has a lengthy history of platforming right-wing misinformation. 

Unsurprisingly, The National Desk is no substitute for real local news. The program devotes the overwhelming majority of its programming to national news stories and has aired and repeated right-wing misinformation and conspiracy theories on everything from the January 6th insurrection to immigration and much more. 

But that’s not all. Sinclair has even used the program to propagate antisemitic stereotypes and conspiracy theories. 

Needless to say, none of this is good for our democracy. 

With one of the most consequential elections in our lifetime approaching, the need for accessible, factual news to cut through right-wing BS has never been more critical. 

And it’s become increasingly clear that the mainstream media aren’t up for the task. 

That’s why COURIER was founded to be the antidote to right-wing misinformation. Our mission of providing local, factual news restores trust in journalism, a key institution of any healthy democracy. 

But if we’re going to remain at the forefront of exposing dangerous propaganda from right-wing media empires like the Sinclair Broadcast Group, it’s essential that our newsrooms have the resources they need to continue providing their communities with high-quality journalism. 

So, can you pitch in $10 today to support COURIER’s honest journalism?

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Thank you, 
COURIER

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Email us: info@couriernewsroom.com

Become a member! 

To give by check:
Courier Newsroom
Box 509
New York, NY 10032