Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to the editor of The Washington Post, April 20, 1999

ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. COMMERCE COMMITTEE ASSISTANT DEPUTY MAJORITY WHIP Congress of tfje Hntteb States Щоиве ot 3R.eprESentatib ей Magfiington, 2ЭС 20515-2002 April 20,1999 Letters to the Editor The Washington Post 1 1 50 1 5th Street Northwest Washington, DC 20071 Dear Editor: (410)838-2517 (410) 284-6828 I read with interest the article in the April 10th Washington Post entitled "Station Owner Accused of Fronting for Another Firm." The article detailed the successful business relationship between television broadcast companies Sinclair and Glencaim in the context of misplaced criticism of Glencaim and its’ owner, Mr. Edwin Edwards, by Reverend Jesse Jackson and his Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. Like many Baltimoreans, I grew up watching the three major networks on channels 2, 1 1, and 13. Today, television viewers have access to cable and satellite programming in addition to Sinclair’s WBFF-TV (Fox 45) and Glencaim’ s WNUV-TV (WB 54). These local stations are tireless supporters of numerous community and charitable causes and offer alternative viewing choices and stiff competition in the local viewing area. Of course, all of this resulted from the Sinclair-Glencaim television local marketing agreement (LMA), in which one station brokers a portion of the time on a second station in the same market. Sinclair pioneered the concept of the LMA and has used it in partnership with numerous broadcasters, including Glencaim. Over 80 LMAs exist today; they have been critical to the launch of the UPN and WB networks, resulting in additional news operations, increased "localism", and outreach to minority communities. What I find troubling about your article is the hidden agenda of the Sinclair-Glencaim critics. Instead of supporting a highly-respected minority businessman who has spent more than two decades in the industry, the Rainbow/PUSH coalition targets Mr. Edwards because his success was accomplished without relying on the tactics of Rev. Jackson and his coalition. For example, while Mrs. Carolyn Smith (a white principal investor in Glencaim) could have owned 100% of Glencaim, she instead chose to give an ownership opportunity to a veteran broadcaster, who also happened to be a minority. This, much to Rev. Jackson’s dismay, occurred without government benefits, incentives, edicts, or mandates. Further, it is worth mentioning that the Federal Communications Commission has approved the LMA’s between Sinclair and Glencaim. The economic success and public interest contributions of Sinclair, Glencaim, and other similarly positioned broadcasters is proof that the system is working. How refreshing. Member of Congress PRINTED C