WBFF/FOX 45 Baltimore to Launch “Spotlight on Maryland” Investigative Journalism Unit Focused on Governmental Inefficiencies

Rhea-AI Summary

WBFF/FOX 45 Baltimore has announced the launch of 'Spotlight on Maryland', a new investigative journalism unit aimed at exposing inefficiencies in state, county, and local governments. This initiative expands on the station's existing investigative reporting, covering topics such as allocation of taxpayer funds to non-profits, campaign finance practices, corruption, and government inefficiency across Maryland.

The station is expanding its staff to include additional investigative reporters and researchers for this unit. This new project builds upon the success of WBFF's Project Baltimore, which has received numerous awards for its investigative reporting on Baltimore area public school systems since 2017.

Scott Livingston, Senior Vice President of News for Sinclair, emphasized the importance of providing viewers with information to check government power and hold elected leaders accountable. The station aims to continue its legacy of community advocacy through unique reporting on under-examined issues and promoting public engagement on governmental abuses.

Positive

• Expansion of investigative journalism resources
• Potential for increased public accountability of government officials
• Building on the success and recognition of Project Baltimore

Negative

• None.

BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- WBFF/FOX 45 today announced the creation of “Spotlight on Maryland,” an investigative journalism unit designed to shed light on inefficiencies in state, county and local governments with the purpose of holding public officials in Maryland accountable. This new initiative will expand WBFF’s existing investigative and accountability reporting to other critical topics including the allocation of taxpayer funds to non-profits, campaign finance practices, corruption, and government inefficiency across Maryland. In addition to using existing station resources, FOX 45 is expanding staffing to add investigative reporters and researchers to the unit.

“News consumers want an honest presentation of the news and appreciate the hard work and dedication required to research and investigate issues that impact their lives. The fourth estate must provide citizens with important information they can use to check government power. Our job is to ask the questions our viewers would ask, hold our elected leaders accountable and be an advocate for Maryland taxpayers and we are committed to providing content that exposes the truth,” commented Scott Livingston, Senior Vice President of News for Sinclair.

“Spotlight on Maryland” builds on the station’s ongoing mission to serve the community by holding government officials accountable, a goal reflected in the success of WBFF’s Project Baltimore, which investigates the Baltimore area public school systems. Project Baltimore’s impactful, results-driven investigative reporting demonstrates the value of continuous investigative storytelling. Since its creation in 2017, Project Baltimore’s investigative work has been recognized by the journalism community with numerous national and regional honors, including a national Emmy award for investigative reporting, forty-one regional Emmy awards, four national IRE awards for investigative reporting, Regional Edward R. Murrow awards, National Headliner awards, SPJ Sigma Delta Chi awards, and a National Press Photographers Association Award for Best Documentary.

Project Baltimore’s ground-breaking reports have prompted internal government investigations as well as changes in government policies and new state laws.

“Spotlight on Maryland” will continue WBFF’s legacy of advocating for the community with unique reporting on under-examined arenas, sparking much-needed public engagement on governmental abuses, and holding elected officials accountable.

About WBFF FOX45:

WBFF FOX45 is Sinclair Broadcast Group’s Baltimore, MD station. Sinclair Broadcast Group is a subsidiary of Sinclair Inc., (Nasdaq: SBGI), a diversified media company and a leading provider of local news and sports. The Company owns, operates and/or provides services to 185 television stations in 86 markets affiliated with all the major broadcast networks; owns Tennis Channel and multicast networks Comet, CHARGE!, TBD., and The Nest. Sinclair’s content is delivered via multiple platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and the nation’s largest streaming aggregator of local news content, NewsON. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source of Company information which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net.

Category: General

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241021108335/en/

Jessica Bellucci, jbellucci@sbgtv.com

Source: Sinclair, Inc.

FAQ

What is the 'Spotlight on Maryland' initiative launched by WBFF/FOX 45?

'Spotlight on Maryland' is a new investigative journalism unit launched by WBFF/FOX 45 Baltimore to expose inefficiencies in state, county, and local governments in Maryland, aiming to hold public officials accountable.

What topics will 'Spotlight on Maryland' cover?

The initiative will cover topics including allocation of taxpayer funds to non-profits, campaign finance practices, corruption, and government inefficiency across Maryland.

How is WBFF/FOX 45 expanding its resources for 'Spotlight on Maryland'?

WBFF/FOX 45 is expanding its staff by adding investigative reporters and researchers to support the new 'Spotlight on Maryland' unit.

What awards has WBFF's Project Baltimore received?

Project Baltimore has received numerous awards including a national Emmy for investigative reporting, 41 regional Emmy awards, four national IRE awards, Regional Edward R. Murrow awards, National Headliner awards, SPJ Sigma Delta Chi awards, and a National Press Photographers Association Award.