washington two u.s. house democrats monday ask federal communications commission inspector general probe whether fcc chairman ajit pai bias favor sinclair broadcast group seek approval 3.9 billion acquisition tribune media co. representatives frank pallone elijah cummings cite fcc decisions benefit sinclair large u.s. television broadcast group media report last year election campaign president donald trump strike deal sinclair favorable coverage action take context report meet trump administration sinclair chairman pai office raise serious concern whether chairman pai action comply fcc mandate independent pair write advocacy group free press say fcc file august sinclair force station air pro-trump propaganda seek favor trump administration spokeswoman pai say request appear part many democrats attempt target one particular company perceive political view ... claim chairman pai modify rule benefit one particular company completely baseless politico cite unnamed source report december trump campaign make deal sinclair get favorable coverage exchange access trump sinclair respond request comment monday fcc commissioner jessica rosenworcel democrat tell congressional committee last month media policy decisions seem custom-built one company sinclair announce plan may acquire tribune 42 tv station 33 market well cable network wgn america extend reach 72 percent american households fcc set vote thursday pai plan eliminate ban cross-ownership newspaper tv station major market make easy media company buy additional tv station market approval would make easy sinclair acquire tv station fcc also vote thursday pai proposal allow broadcasters use new technology improve picture quality allow good reception mobile phone could force consumers eventually buy new equipment sinclair hold patent tv technology rosenworcel say sinclair others could profit house democrats seek probe fcc chairman 's treatment sinclair