President Trump on Monday defended Sinclair Broadcasting Group after its move to have its local news anchors warn of alleged bias in reporting by other media outlets.
“So funny to watch Fake News Networks, among the most dishonest groups of people I have ever dealt with, criticize Sinclair Broadcasting for being biased,” Trump tweeted Monday.
“Sinclair is far superior to CNN and even more Fake NBC, which is a total joke.”
{mosads}CNN last month reported that the right-leaning Sinclair Broadcast Group is mandating its local affiliates to read aloud a promotional campaign that condemns other news outlets for pushing “fake stories.”
“The sharing of biased and false news has become all too common on social media,” the script reportedly read. “More alarming, national media outlets are publishing these same fake stories without checking facts first.”
The script also called for anchors to say they “understand Truth is neither politically ‘left or right.’ ”
Trump frequently rails against the media, accusing reporters and outlets of publishing falsehoods.
A poll released Monday found a large majority of Americans believe mainstream news outlets report “fake news.”
Sinclair is the largest owner of local television stations in the country and is awaiting approval for its proposed merger with Tribune Media, which would give it access to about 70 percent of the nation’s television audience.