New Baltimore Sun owner David Smith insulted staff during a meeting, encouraged them to mimic a TV station owned by his broadcasting company, and expressed a focus on increasing profits. Smith, the executive chairman of Sinclair Inc., which operates over 200 television stations nationwide, has a history of criticizing print media and promoting specific content and editorials. The tense meeting left staff feeling uncertain about their job security and the future direction of the paper under Smith's ownership.
Local businessman David Smith has purchased The Baltimore Sun Media Group, including The Sun and its affiliated newspapers, from Alden Global Capital, marking the first time the institution has been under local ownership since 1986. Smith, the executive chairman of Sinclair Inc., plans to invest in the paper, increase coverage of local communities, and support investigative work. The purchase amount remains undisclosed, and Smith will be joined in the venture by conservative political commentator Armstrong Williams. The move has raised questions about the new owners' motivations and their potential impact on the newspaper's editorial independence.
David D. Smith, executive chairman of Sinclair Inc., has acquired The Baltimore Sun and its affiliated publications from investment firm Alden Global Capital, marking the first time in nearly four decades that the newspaper will be in the hands of a local owner. Smith aims to revitalize the struggling newspaper industry by focusing on local news, investigations, and community engagement, while integrating technology and boosting subscriptions and advertising. The acquisition, made independently of Sinclair, is part of Smith's effort to serve the public interest and hold those in power accountable, with plans to retain the newspaper's service agreements and eventually operate it as a stand-alone business.
