WWTBAM Bored

I was a little surprised that more news anchors forced to read Sinclair's script didn't either refuse or quit. I'm no longer so surprised. Apparently Sinclair has inserted into its employment agreements a six-month noncompete (illegal in California but legal in most states), a liquidated damages provision for 40% of annual salary, and a mandatory arbitration clause. So any news anchor who considered telling Sinclair to go jump in a lake was almost certainly facing, at a minimum, significant legal bills even if the noncompete and liquidated damages provisions are unenforceable.

I don't know whether it's legal to force people to publicly advocate views they disagree with or suffer a significant financial penalty. But if it is legal, it shouldn't be.

I think I need to start finding out who's advertising on Sinclair's news broadcasts. Because I don't think I care to do business with a company willing to be associated with, much less help finance, these tactics. --Bob