Congress Penalizes Smithsonian Over Showtime Sellout

The fallout has been swift and harsh over the Smithsonian's secret deal with Showtime Networks to provide the network right of first refusal over commercial documentaries that make significant use of Smithsonian materials. The Interior subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee has responded by placing limitations in the FY07 budget allocation, including "limiting the Smithsonian's ability to execute any contract or legal agreement which could limit public access to the Smithsonian collections. In addition, the bill reduces the Smithsonians salaries and expenses account by $5 million."