# David D. Smith Executive chairman of [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] (CEO 1988–2017, chairman since), the conservative owner who built Sinclair into the largest local-TV station group in America and used it to push "must-run" right-leaning segments to local newscasts. In January 2024 Smith personally bought **[[The Baltimore Sun]]**, where the union accuses him of union-busting and imposing a conservative agenda. > [!note] Stub > Minimum-viable page created to support the [[Sinclair Broadcast Group Timeline]]. Expand with the family ownership, the must-run mandates, and the Baltimore Sun takeover.