In a surprising move over the holiday weekend, David Smith, the chairman of Sinclair Broadcast Group, has acquired The Baltimore Sun from investment firm Alden Global Capital. The news was broken by The Sun on Monday, revealing that Smith's venture includes conservative political commentator Armstrong Williams, who hosts a program syndicated on Sinclair's 185 TV stations.

The sale of the newspaper immediately drew attention from David Simon, creator of the acclaimed HBO series The Wire, who had previously worked as a journalist at The Sun. Simon expressed his reaction on social media, calling on Baltimore residents to support the nonprofit news organization, The Baltimore Banner, as an alternative to the newly acquired Sun.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, primarily known for its local TV business, has faced scrutiny in the past for airing "must run" political commentary segments on its stations. However, the company discontinued this practice in 2019. Sinclair's involvement in politics, combined with Williams' role in the acquisition, has raised concerns among online media critics.

Despite these concerns, Smith believes there could be synergies between The Baltimore Sun and Sinclair. In an interview with The Sun, he stated that he is committed to serving the public interest and sees the potential for the newspaper to be both profitable and successful.

Smith's acquisition of The Baltimore Sun marks a significant development in the local media landscape. With the future direction of the newspaper uncertain, many will be watching closely to see how this change will impact local journalism and the coverage of Baltimore news.

Only time will tell how Smith's vision for The Baltimore Sun aligns with the legacy and reputation of the publication, as well as the interests of the city and its residents.