End Smithsonian-Showtime Deal, Filmmakers and Historians Ask
More than 200 filmmakers and historians asked the Smithsonian Institution yesterday to abandon its production deal with Showtime Networks and reconsider a recently imposed policy that limits access to Smithsonian archives and experts.In a letter to Secretary Lawrence M. Small, the Smithsonian’s top official, the group objected to restrictions on filmmakers and researchers who seek “more than incidental” use of its public archives. After the Smithsonian signed with Showtime to make television programming, filmmakers and researchers whose projects focused extensively on the Smithsonian’s holdings or staff were informed that they had to offer their film treatments first to Showtime.

This is disgusting.