Sinclair Broadcast Group will no longer produce commentary programming, including Boris Epshteyn’s show, to focus on investigative local reporting.
In a statement about the change, Sinclair told its staff that both Epshteyn and former Obama campaign staffer Ameshia Cross would no longer host their political commentary shows for the network to provide time for investigative reporting. Sinclair owns 193 stations across the United States and wanted to allow local reporters time to air their investigative findings.
“We have to shine a light on our value proposition every quarter hour, in every newscast. Therefore, we will be expanding our local investigative journalism footprint in our daily newscasts. We are excited to dedicate more time in our newscasts to report on critical and relevant issues,” the company said in the statement.
It added, “To allot additional airtime for this storytelling, we will be ending the commentary segments this Friday, Dec. 13, featuring Ameshia Cross, and Boris Epshteyn.”
Epshteyn had previously worked as a spokesman for President Trump’s White House before leaving his post in 2017. His commentary on the network has sparked controversy, especially his remark comparing illegal immigration to an “attempted invasion” after highlighting footage of border authorities using tear gas on illegal immigrants.
Sinclair issued a statement after that segment, saying, “We’d like to take a moment and address some concerns regarding a commentary segment by [Epshteyn] that was aired on Sinclair stations this week. The opinions expressed in this segment do not reflect the views of Sinclair Broadcast Group.”
When Boris’s segments are aired on our stations, they are labeled clearly as commentary. We also offer our stations reporting from the Beltway and beyond that are not partisan or bias in any way.
— Sinclair Broadcast Group (@WeAreSinclair) November 28, 2018
Epshteyn has remained close to the Trump family since departing the White House, even attending a celebration for Donald Trump Jr. after his book landed on the New York Times bestsellers list.
Sinclair claimed Epshteyn, 37, would be “moving into a sales-focused role” within the network.
