Sinclair airs defense of border tear gas use

Sinclair Broadcast Group, which has faced criticism for forcing its nearly 200 local television stations to air right-leaning “must run” segments, has distributed a new two-minute commentary defending the use of tear gas on migrants at the border.

In the segment, Boris Epshteyn, the broadcaster’s chief political analyst and a former Trump White House official, argued that U.S. authorities “had to use tear gas” on hundreds of migrants at a border crossing near San Diego on Nov. 25 to guard against an “attempted invasion” of the United States.

Epshteyn echoed language that the president has used repeatedly to describe the caravan of Central American migrants, many of whom are seeking asylum from countries plagued by violence. The right to apply for asylum is protected by federal law.

As of Wednesday morning, the segment had aired on at least two dozen Sinclair stations from Maine to Texas to Washington, according to a review by The New York Times.

In a series of tweets this week, the company distanced itself from Epshteyn’s segment, though it was not clear whether it was referring to his commentary on the tear gas or a later, less-criticized segment about Twitter’s decision to ban a right-wing activist.

“The opinions expressed in this segment do not reflect the views of Sinclair Broadcast Group,” the company said. “When Boris’ 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.”

Martin tops off year with new show

George R. R. Martin, the author of the “Game of Thrones” series, has a new TV in the works. The show, “Nightflyers,” premieres Sunday on SyFy and airs nightly until Dec. 6. “Nightflyers” is based on a novella Martin published in 1980. It was adapted by showrunner Jeff Buhler, who also adapted new versions of Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary” and Adrian Lyne’s cult 1990 film “Jacob’s Ladder.”

The final season of HBO’s adaptation of “Game of Thrones” begins in April. Martin recently released “Fire & Blood,” a book detailing the complete history of the Targaryen family.