New York, May 27 (RHC)-- In the United States, the Sinclair Broadcast Group is reportedly nearing a $4 billion deal to purchase Tribune Media, which would give it control of more than a third of the country’s local TV stations.

The reported purchase comes after President Trump’s pick to head the FCC, Ajit Pai, dramatically rolled back limits capping the number of stations one corporation can control.  Sinclair’s chair and former CEO, David Smith, is active in Republican politics and supported Donald Trump’s campaign.

Craig Aaron, the head of Free Press, told CNN: "It sure looks like a quid pro quo: friendly coverage and full employment for ex-Trump mouthpieces in exchange for a green light to get as big as Sinclair wants."