SONNY,

SAM, AND...

DOUG?

Maryland Attorney General Receives Free Airtime from

Cable Monopoly Under his Jurisdiction

Another www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!!

Well, it may still be the 12 Days of Christmas on RobertDyer.net, but the investigative reporting doesn't stop for holidays. This blog doesn't comment on the news; it makes news.

And here we go again.

Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler has been appearing on a Redskins pre-game show on Comcast Sportsnet for an unknown number of game days this season. This raises ethical questions for a number of reasons.

First, as a sitting attorney general, Mr. Gansler has an active campaign account and is widely expected to run for reelection. This puts reporting requirements and limitations upon what types of in-kind contributions he may accept. In my opinion, extended airtime such as this qualifies as an in-kind contribution. Especially in an election year as we are right now.

Second, Mr. Gansler is in a powerful position to make rulings affecting Comcast's business and operations within the state of Maryland. On-air personalities and other Comcast employees are, in effect, acting as unregistered lobbyists by pandering to Mr. Gansler and giving him this tremendous advantage his prospective election opponents will not have.

Third, the Washington Post company has a business relationship with Comcast and Comcast SportsNet. Is this an attempt to buy favor on behalf of the Post Co., as well? If the Post. Co. is willing to give this special, political favor to Mr. Gansler, are they also going to give him favorable coverage on the Post's pages and website? We'll monitor this, and hold all parties accountable.

I hope the Post, Gazette, Examiner, etc. will hold them accountable as well.

Ultimately, the voters - sports fans included - will hold our public officials accountable on election day.

In the meantime, I am looking forward to an invitation from Comcast to be part of the on-air team for the Orioles games this season.