By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com
Baltimore-based think-tank Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle (LBS) has received a cease and desist letter from Sinclair Broadcast Group (Sinclair) after accusing the media conglomerate of promoting ballot initiatives that aim to diminish Black political power in a recent event posting.
The event, which will be held at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum on Sep. 19 from 5:30 to 8 p.m., was advertised as a discussion for Baltimoreans to learn about how Sinclair CEO David Smith is using the company to push propaganda about Black leadership in the city. In the cease and desist, which the AFRO obtained from Sinclair directly, the media company calls the claims made by LBS are false and denied that it has engaged in any ballot initiatives.
In a statement to the AFRO, LBS director of public policy Dayvon Love wrote:
“LBS has been engaged in a war against the propaganda of Sinclair Broadcasting and its executive chairman, David Smith, who is using his platforms to demonize Black people. This demonization is an attempt to push policies that prioritize incarceration over repair and to disparage community-based violence prevention.”
Love particularly took issue with Smith’s support of a ballot initiative that would reduce the size of the Baltimore City Council from 14 districts to eight. The petition is backed by People for Elected Accountability and Civic Engagement (PEACE), an organization funded by the businessman.
PEACE maintains the cut to the council would save taxpayers millions of dollars and create a more attentive city government that better reflects the population of Baltimore. Love and other opponents believe it to be an attempt to seize political influence from Black Baltimoreans.
“This would give him greater ability to fund politicians who would adopt his political agenda and decrease the ability of people in a majority-Black city to have representation that reflects their interests,” wrote Love. “Clearly, Sinclair Broadcasting and David Smith are troubled by our advocacy. We think it’s important for the community to decide for themselves whether we are besmirching their reputation or if we are just speaking the truth.”
Smith has long been known for his support of conservative policies and Republican campaigns. His news stations have also been criticized for right-wing biases. Last January, the businessman added The Baltimore Sun to his portfolio.
In the cease and desist letter, Sinclair said that LBS was confounding Smith’s personal pursuits with that of the company.
“Mr. Smith is entitled, as a private individual, to exercise his constitutional rights and support causes or other political organizations that he deems appropriate,” wrote Chase A. Bales, general counsel for Sinclair. “Those decisions, however, are not commensurate with action by Sinclair, and there is absolutely no indication that Sinclair has supported any ballot initiatives or other political activities as described in your post.”
Apart from the copy of the cease and desist letter, Sinclair declined requests to make further comment on the matter to the AFRO.
