Writer: Block Sinclair merger

I was recently surprised to have the 6 p.m. local news on WSET interrupted by an editorial read by two local broadcasters. This was in the midst of the news broadcast and seemed oddly out of place. The editorial spoke of the sharing of false news coming from social media by some news outlets, of some media people using their platforms to push their own personal biases and how “extremely dangerous this is to our democracy.” Then there was a pledge by WSET to be objective and only report real news.

Though this editorial seemed strange, who can argue with the pledge to be truthful with the news? As to why this editorial was deemed necessary by WSET and its owner, it is humorous to realize that fans of Fox News and Donald Trump are sure it speaks to the fake news from all the liberal national networks except Fox, while the other side is sure that it speaks to Fox and their tendency to run right-wing editorials disguised as news. Trump has sent out an aggressive tweet this week castigating the dishonest liberal media in connection with these editorials run across the country, and the reaction to them.

The New York Times researched this editorial run by Sinclair Broadcast Group and the stations they own (including WSET). According to their report, this editorial was a “must run” item for all of their stations. Numerous broadcast clips reviewed showed identical language being used by Sinclair broadcasters across the nation.

Sinclair is currently seeking approval from the Justice Department and the FTC to allow for a $3.9 billion purchase of another media company, Tribune Media. I believe that this incident of the “must run” editorial is an excellent example of why media consolidation is indeed dangerous for our democracy, as the editorial worried. The terrifying Orwellian vision of a single state-controlled news message is not that far away with increasingly consolidated media. I hope the merger isn’t approved.

WALKER SYDNOR

Lynchburg

A great health care system

On March 28, I was accompanying my wife to Central Virginia Imaging on Nationwide Drive when she noticed that I was experiencing some medical problems. She went into Central Virginia Imaging and expressed her concerns to the staff. Immediately, two nurses came out to our car to check me out and then a doctor came out. After looking me over, they called 911. EMS arrived in a matter of minutes and whisked me off to Lynchburg General Hospital. At the hospital, the ER staff quickly determined my problem and addressed it. I spent two days in Lynchburg General Hospital.

I would like to thank the staff at Central Virginia Imaging, the Lynchburg EMS crew and the staff at Lynchburg General Hospital for their quick and efficient help. In particular, I would like to give special thanks to the Cardiac Unit on the third floor. My short stay in the cardiac unit showed me the excellent care and encouragement the nurses and doctors in that unit give on a regular basis. It also showed me the patience with which these folks handle difficult situations.

All of us in the Lynchburg area should be thankful that we have the excellent health care facilities that we have. My thanks go beyond those I mentioned specifically in this letter. Overall, we should be “Lynchburg Proud” of all of our doctors, nurses, medical technicians, hospital, police and our EMS/fire services. Not only do these folks provide care, they provide security and comfort for every resident. I think that is something that we should all be able to agree upon.

RICHARD A. EFTHIM

Lynchburg