There is a stench coming out of the Smithsonian Institution. It concerns a deal that Smithsonian Secretary Lawrence Small made with Showtime Networks regarding the use of the Smithsonian Archives. It seems Small negotiated a deal that would allowed Showtime Networks access to the Smithsonian Archives without consulting Congress. When asked about the deal Mr. Small defends the agreement and also said the contract has a "confidentiality agreement". So it seems the public can not find out what is really in the agreement Now something really smells at the Smithsonian!
Even though the Smithsonian gets 70% of it's fund from U.S. taxpayers this agreement will create a "Smithsonian on Demand" that will only be available to those people who have Digital Cable everyone else is SOL. Meanwhile Historians and Documentary filmmakers may be denied the use of the Archives and it's materials because of the Showtime agreement. So if you are the multimillion dollar Showtime Networks you've got access if you are an independent filmmaker or Historian working on your own with your own money you may have the door to the archives shut in your face.
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