Full Breakdown
Maryland Governor Accused of Media Retaliation Amid Defamation Lawsuit
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Alleged Legal Review of Sinclair Inquiries
A coalition of press-freedom organizations has charged Governor Wes Moore’s administration with directing routine media inquiries from The Baltimore Sun and three Sinclair-owned outlets to a “legal review” process. The groups say the practice began after Sinclair Broadcast Group executive chairman David Smith filed a defamation lawsuit against Moore, alleging the governor made false statements linking Smith to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The letter, issued in October, urges the governor to cease what the signatories describe as unlawful retaliation.
Background & Context
The dispute traces to a July defamation suit filed by Smith, who also controls The Baltimore Sun. Moore has repeatedly criticized the newspaper’s ownership, accusing it of advancing a political agenda aligned with former President Donald Trump. In September, Moore condemned Trump’s decision to bar certain outlets from the White House press pool, describing the move as a “real problem” for free speech. Press-freedom groups argue that Moore’s current actions mirror the very restrictions he denounced.
Data & Statistics
Official Statements & Responses
- The governor’s office further stated that agencies continue to answer questions from Sinclair outlets and that the lawsuit is a personal matter that should not dictate state communications policy.
- The Freedom of the Press Foundation, represented by chief of advocacy Seth Stern, contended that the governor’s policy amounts to unlawful retaliation and that journalists should not face disparate treatment because of a dispute involving their owners.
Criticism & Opposition
Press-freedom groups—including the Committee to Protect Journalists, PEN America, Reporters Without Borders, and the Society of Professional Journalists—argued that directing routine inquiries to legal counsel undermines transparency and resembles the media bans imposed by the Trump administration. They warned that such practices could set a precedent for government officials to impede reporting based on personal litigation.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the extent of the alleged suppression: the coalition’s letter describes a “legal review black hole” that stalls routine reporting, while Moore’s spokesperson emphasizes that agencies have responded to “dozens of questions” and that no blanket refusal exists. No independent audit of agency communications has been provided, leaving the true scope of the practice unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's particularly offensive that Moore seeks to boost his national profile by slamming the Trump administration's unconstitutional attempts to ban disfavored media outlets from the White House when he's engaged in such similar antics himself,” — Seth Stern, chief of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation
- “The central premise of this letter is completely false. There is no blanket refusal to engage,” — Ammar Moussa, Moore's senior press secretary and director of media strategy
- “David Smith chose to sue the Governor. Having our legal team look over inquiries is basic due diligence, not a blackout,” — Ammar Moussa, Moore's senior press secretary and director of media strategy