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Maryland Governor Wes Moore has launched a preemptive defense against an unreleased Baltimore Sun investigation into his background, characterizing the newspaper’s new ownership as politically motivated and aligned with former President Donald Trump.
The Sun, recently acquired by Sinclair Broadcast Group executive chairman David D. Smith in 2024, is reportedly examining Moore’s military service, academic history, and other aspects of his personal background, according to reporting from Semafor. The investigation is being conducted through “Spotlight on Maryland,” a collaborative effort between the Sun and local Sinclair-owned television stations.
“It’s actually a very sad day because the Baltimore Sun used to be our paper of record. It’s now become the paper of the right wing,” Moore told former Biden spokeswoman Jen Psaki in a recent interview. The governor, a Democrat seen by some as a potential presidential contender in 2028, characterized Smith as a “MAGA billionaire” using the newspaper to curry favor with Trump.
The brewing media conflict highlights the increasingly contentious relationship between politicians and news organizations with new ownership structures. Smith’s acquisition of the 200-year-old Sun has raised concerns among Democrats about the editorial direction of Maryland’s largest newspaper.
At the center of the anticipated investigation is Moore’s military record, particularly regarding a Bronze Star medal. The governor previously faced scrutiny for listing the award on a White House fellowship application before he had officially received it. Moore ultimately received the Bronze Star in 2024, and has described the application discrepancy as “an honest mistake.”
In August 2024, Moore issued a statement explaining that his deputy brigade commander had encouraged him to apply for a White House fellowship while simultaneously recommending him for a Bronze Star, suggesting he include the anticipated award on his application. He later acknowledged that he “sincerely wished [he] had gone back to correct the note on my application.”
Spotlight on Maryland managing editor Candy Woodall has publicly pushed back against Moore’s characterization of the investigation. “Democrats sure are putting in a lot of work to discredit a series before it’s even started running. That alone should raise a question: why?” Woodall wrote on social media.
Woodall further alleged that Moore’s office had threatened to disseminate opposition research to “every media reporter” in an attempt to discredit the investigation. She claimed her team sent “hundreds” of questions to Moore and his staff but received minimal responses.
The governor’s office has countered by questioning Smith’s involvement in the reporting process. Press secretary Ammar Moussa asked about “the extent of Sinclair owner and Donald Trump ally David Smith’s influence in the FOX-45 and Baltimore Sun newsrooms.” Moussa also challenged the credentials of Spotlight reporter Gary Collins, characterizing him as a former Maryland Republican Party official “working at the direction of your Trump-supporting boss.”
Collins defended his work, stating simply: “I will continue to report facts, just like my colleagues do.” His previous reporting has noted that Moore’s administration “has yet to release full documentation tied to his military record, academic history, and prior credentials — records Spotlight On Maryland has requested for months.”
The confrontation highlights broader tensions in American media ownership. Smith and Sinclair have previously drawn criticism from progressives, notably when the company pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from its lineup following controversial comments by the comedian. Sinclair is reportedly the largest owner of ABC network affiliates in the country.
The unfolding situation raises questions about media independence, political influence, and the responsibility of news organizations to scrutinize public officials regardless of their political affiliation. As Maryland’s governor positions himself as a rising Democratic star, this clash with his state’s largest newspaper could have implications that extend beyond state politics.
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10 Comments
The conflict between Governor Moore and the Baltimore Sun’s new owners highlights the broader issue of how changing media ownership can impact reporting and political discourse. It’s important for the public to be aware of potential biases, regardless of which side they may fall on.
Given the political stakes involved, I imagine both sides will be closely watching how this story develops in the media.
This is an interesting story about the political tensions surrounding media ownership in Maryland. It seems the governor is preemptively criticizing the new owners of the Baltimore Sun as being aligned with the ‘right wing’ and former President Trump. It will be worth watching how this unfolds.
The governor’s comments about the Sun becoming the ‘paper of the right wing’ under new ownership suggest he is concerned about potential bias in their upcoming investigation.
The tension between Governor Moore and the Baltimore Sun’s new owners speaks to the broader challenges facing the media industry. Maintaining journalistic integrity and independence is crucial, even as media outlets face changing business models and ownership structures.
This situation underscores the importance of media literacy and the need for the public to critically evaluate news sources and be aware of potential biases.
This story highlights the complex relationship between politicians and the media, especially when media ownership changes hands. It will be important to follow the Sun’s investigation and see if it lives up to the governor’s concerns or if the reporting remains fair and objective.
Regardless of one’s political leanings, it’s crucial that the media maintains its role as a watchdog and reports the facts without undue influence from any particular agenda.
This situation raises questions about the role of media ownership and its influence on journalism. While the governor’s criticism of the Sun’s new owners may be valid, it’s important that any investigation be conducted fairly and objectively, without undue political influence.
It will be interesting to see if the Sun’s coverage of Governor Moore lives up to his concerns about political bias, or if the reporting proves to be balanced and fact-based.