When crafting content, the primary focus keyphrase is the “Baltimore Sun conservative owners” in the English language.
Baltimore Sun Conservative Owners: A New Chapter Unfolds
Armstrong Williams, a conservative commentator, and David D. Smith have taken the reins as the new owners of The Baltimore Sun. The newspaper now showcases Williams’ columns and narratives from his broadcast interviews.
The Baltimore Sun‘s recent acquisition by media mogul David D. Smith has stirred both controversy and confusion. Some Baltimore residents and journalists express outrage at Smith’s known right-leaning political affiliations, evident in his management of nearly 200 local television stations under Sinclair Broadcast Group. Others are puzzled by his interest in acquiring the renowned yet struggling newspaper.
Despite requests for comment, Smith chose not to engage with NPR directly, instead having his business partner, the conservative pundit and entrepreneur Armstrong Williams, address the media. Williams, recognized nationally for his close relationship with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, conveyed a message of peaceful intentions.
“Our objective is not to dismantle the current operations but rather to enrich and expand them,” Williams affirms in an interview with NPR. “Our aim is to refocus the publication on local interests.”
Williams highlights that The Sun is already shifting its focus towards topics of relevance to its readership, such as crime, local government, and civic affairs. He emphasizes the potential for further growth and development as additional resources are allocated.
Smith has disclosed that the acquisition of The Sun involved a significant financial investment, likely exceeding $100 million, which may encompass expenses related to services like the content management system previously provided by the newspaper’s former owner, Alden Global Capital.
Significant Presence of Co-owner at Baltimore Sun Conservative Owners
Smith has chosen to remain largely out of the public eye, exerting his influence behind the scenes. Since the acquisition, Williams has emerged as a prominent figure at The Sun, representing the publication. His column now frequently appears on the opinion pages, drawing from interviews he conducted for Sinclair’s Baltimore station and a syndicated weekly show airing on 170 Sinclair stations nationwide and a few others. Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump praised Williams as a leading Black entrepreneur in a lengthy guest editorial, featuring a prominent image of Williams alongside his own column, as he engages with staff in small group settings.
When asked about his role in The Sun’s newsroom, Williams responded, “Any role I desire as an owner will be the role I play. We are the owners.”
Having worked for The Sun for a decade before transitioning to NPR in 2004, I recently revisited Baltimore to explore the evolving landscape of the paper and reconnect with former colleagues at their weekly coffee gathering.
Among them were journalists who had been stationed in Moscow and Mexico City for The Sun, with one having been among the first Western reporters in Rwanda during the genocide three decades ago. Another covered the Balkan wars, while two were esteemed news leaders at the paper. Currently, The Sun operates without foreign bureaus and with a reduced number of reporters. Local newsroom union representatives indicate a decrease from over 300 journalists to about 60 presently, reflecting broader industry shifts in news consumption, profit-driven strategies by out-of-state owners, notably Alden Global Capital.
Analysis of the Baltimore Sun’s Acquisition by Conservative Owners
On January 16, 2024, The Baltimore Sun‘s front page showcased the acquisition of the newspaper by David D. Smith, the executive chairman of the Sinclair broadcasting chain, known for his active involvement in conservative causes.
Lea Skene/AP
The front page of The Baltimore Sun on January 16, 2024, highlighted the purchase of the newspaper by David D. Smith, the executive chairman of the Sinclair broadcasting chain and a prominent supporter of conservative causes.
Lea Skene/AP
During a recent gathering, Jon Morgan, a former top editor overseeing enterprise reporting and state politics, brought a recent issue of the paper to discuss. He expressed concerns that Smith, the first local owner in over three decades, might be the most detrimental owner yet.
Morgan voiced his apprehensions, stating, “It kind of confirms some of our worst fears. It’s fallen into the hands of someone who, by all indications – and I want to give him the benefit of the doubt – is out to set an agenda and use the newspaper to do so.”
Smith personally acquired the paper, citing that Sinclair investors would not have permitted the purchase through the publicly traded company. However, former Sun reporters, united in their worries, highlighted concerns about Smith’s track record with media properties nationwide and in Baltimore.
The Baltimore Sun’s conservative owners influence Sinclair’s political reporting with advocacy and disinformation
Allegations of partiality at Baltimore Sun conservative owners’ local Sinclair station
How will The Sun handle news involving its new owner, Baltimore Sun conservative owners?
Recently, Fox 45, owned by Sinclair, has extensively covered stories related to individuals like Smith, who has undisclosed ties to certain matters. This includes backing lawsuits against a former mayoral candidate and the local schools. The connection between Smith and these events was brought to light by a competitor, the non-profit Baltimore Banner, which has recruited several reporters from The Sun.
The Political Landscape in Baltimore: Sheila Dixon’s Comeback and Media Influence
Sheila Dixon, who resigned as Baltimore’s mayor in 2010 due to a corruption case, is now making a bid to reclaim her position. Interestingly, she has garnered support from David D. Smith, the new owner of The Sun, a prominent Baltimore newspaper.
Despite assertions from a station spokesperson that their journalists were unaware of the connections, recent reports suggest otherwise. Allegations have surfaced that a Fox 45 producer facilitated a meeting where Smith persuaded a Republican politician to file a lawsuit. The station has pledged to disclose any pertinent information to its viewers.
What implications does this hold for Maryland’s largest daily newspaper? While there haven’t been drastic changes yet, the situation has undoubtedly become more intricate for the newspaper’s journalists. There has been a noticeable increase in acknowledgments within the publication regarding the new owner’s active participation in local politics.
Notably, when a lawsuit against a restaurant owned by Smith’s nephew was dismissed, The Sun prominently featured the development on its front page, shedding light on David Smith’s significant role as an investor.
The resurgence of former Baltimore mayor Sheila Dixon is making headlines. Public records reveal that Smith, his family members, and affiliated companies have collectively donated over $124,000 to support Dixon’s campaign and a related political action committee, a fact briefly mentioned by The Sun.
Smith has encouraged reporters at The Sun to delve deeper into corruption issues. It’s worth noting that the same newspaper played a pivotal role in Dixon’s downfall years ago by exposing her illicit activities. Subsequently, The Sun journalists were honored with a Pulitzer Prize for uncovering the corruption of another former mayor, Catherine Pugh.
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