Smithsonian TV Deal Irks Investigators

[The Sushi Bandit]

http://channels.isp.netscape.com/news/story.jsp?floc=FF-APO-1401&idq=/ff/story/0001%2F20061216%2F1327536472.htm&sc=1401

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two filmmakers were refused access to the Smithsonian Institution's collections for their projects but researchers generally have not been restricted so far by the Smithsonian's semi-exclusive deal with a cable network, congressional investigators say.

The public has justifiable concerns nonetheless about the 30-year contract between the Smithsonian and Showtime Networks Inc., a cable network owned by CBS Corp., according to the Government Accountability Office.

``It is too early to determine the long-term impact of the contract,'' Congress' investigative arm said in a report Friday. ``Access to the Smithsonian's collections and staff for research purposes remains unchanged, but the direct impact on filmmakers will depend largely on how many request permission to use a substantial amount of Smithsonian content.''

[ShockediSay]

1. A thirty year contract is outrageous. Set it aside?

Is the Smithsonian a governmental entity whose contracts can be reviewed and set aside?

[The Sushi Bandit]

2. Where is everyone?

This is crap what they are pulling on us taxpayers.
The Smithsonian Institution is not for the exclusive use of a network!!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

3. There's part of me that wants to renew membership in the Smithsonian

because of what it could be, in the right hands.

But crap like this makes me lose interest. :grr:

[The Sushi Bandit]

4. Sunday kick