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Although what
we present here is a bit tawdry and is not directly related to
issues of media reform, it is still relevant to our concerns about
the operations of Sinclair Broadcast Group. These events illustrate
a reckless side of Sinclair CEO and President David Smith and
also how he has been able to take advantage of his privileged
position -- in owning a television empire -- to help him get around
legal problems in a away not available to the average American.
Through their
daily televised program, The Point, Smith and Sinclair position
themselves as the arbiter of what is right and proper in America.
Mark Hyman has a tendency to pass judgement on others, even
when no wrong has been committed. Thus, those with more progressive
attitudes are "The Angry Left" or the "hate-America
crowd". Given Mr. Smith's foibles, we wish Hyman and company
were a bit more balanced in their judgements, as well as more
honest.
Smith's
early career
In their report
on SBG, Rolling
Stone reported that Smith was a partner in a business called
Cine Processors, which made bootleg copies of pornographic films.
This is not exactly the kind of business that traditional conservatives
would heartily approve.
Smith's
brush with the law
Mr. Smith
has had another brush with such matters. As Salon
reported on October 22, 2004, he was arrested in the summer
of 1996 in Baltimore for having an "unnatural and perverted"
"act" as he drove his company-owned Mercedes car north
along the Jones Falls Expressway.
What is interesting
about this case is how Mr. Smith dealt with his wrongdoing. According
to Salon, Mr. Smith copped a very favorable plea bargain in this
case with the Maryland attorney general. Instead of performing
restitution, as one might expect the typical offender to do, Smith
ordered his stations to broadcast programs highlighting
local drug programs. Basically, Smith's employees performed restitution
on his behalf. It would seem that our system of justice was also
perverted in this case. And that's the point.
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