The Sinclair Broadcast Group, [3] the single largest operator of local television stations in the United States, has gained notoriety after ordering its 62 local stations to preempt prime time programming to broadcast an anti-Kerry film [4] a few days before the November 2, 2004 general election. The order has prompted criticism that Sinclair is "failing federal broadcast requirements to reflect local interests ... a section of federal law that requires media companies to cover local issues and provide an outlet for local voices," reports Leon Lazaroff. The order to run the anti-Kerry program is simply the latest example of how it imposes its political will on its local affiliates. "The company increasingly uses 'distance-casting' whereby local news, sports and weather is uniformly broadcast to its many stations from Sinclair's headquarters in suburban Baltimore," Lazaroff writes. "Television viewers receive on-camera reports from 'News Central' that appear to be coming from local stations. Sinclair spokesman Mark Hyman delivers conservative commentary that must be carried on local news reports."