Sinclair Media Exec Buys The Baltimore Sun

The Baltimore Sun newspaper has been purchased by David D. Smith, the executive chairman of the media conglomerate Sinclair Inc.

Smith bought The Baltimore Sun with his own assets independently of Sinclair, which is known for its ownership of local television news stations across the US. I Photo: Like_the_Grand_Canyon Flickr

Founded in 1837, it is the largest newspaper in Virginia, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Smith told the newspaper he acquired Baltimore Sun Media from the investment firm Alden Global Capital in a private deal reached on Friday. He did not disclose how much he paid in the agreement.

Smith bought the paper with his own assets independently of Sinclair, which is known for its ownership of local television news stations across the US.

He said, however, that there could be partnerships between the two brands in the future. He will remain the executive chairman at Sinclair.

“I’m in the news business because I believe ... we have an absolute responsibility to serve the public interest,” Smith told the Sun in an interview.

“I think the paper can be hugely profitable and successful and serve a greater public interest over time.”

Smith told the paper he will focus on local news and investigations, and he plans to use video and social media to attract new subscribers. He will begin meeting with staffers and managers of the Sun and its sister outlets on Tuesday.

Smith said he only began regularly reading the Sun a few months ago but had been interested in buying the media group around two years ago.

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