It looks like DirecTV, a liberal video programming distributor, is trying to red-line conservatives out of the marketplace. The company recently dropped both Newsmax and One America News from their channel lineup.
Newsmax reported that DirecTV “cut” the outlet’s “signal, immediately shutting the network off from more than 13 million customers of the satellite service, DirecTV Stream, and U-Verse.” But Newsmax was only seeking a fee with a 75% discount to its market value, and compared to fees currently paid by DirecTV, almost all 50 channels below Newsmax in ratings get higher fees.
Newsmax Media CEO Christopher Ruddy was very vocal about this political discrimination and censorship against Newsmax, saying, “This is a blatant act of political discrimination and censorship against Newsmax.”
OAN was also dropped in April 2022. In a March, 2022, lawsuit alleging breach of contract, OAN said DirecTV caved to “political pressure and have put their unlawful interests and the unlawful personal, political, and financial interests of their management ahead of contractual and legal obligations.”
MRC Business Vice President Dan Schneider raised a good question: “Is this a new form of red-lining where Big Media is trying to keep conservatives out of the marketplace?” Newsmax is a highly-rated network that has proved its market value, and it’s concerning to see this type of censorship.
On Wednesday morning, NewsBusters Executive Editor Tim Graham and Managing Editor Curtis Houck joined Newsmax’s National Report to react to DirecTV’s decision. Speaking to hosts Shaun Kraisman and Emma Rechenberg, Houck also said it was “very concerning” and noted that Newsmax is closer to CNN and MSNBC in the ratings than the two far-left networks are to the Fox News Channel.
Graham called out the fact that, while liberals object to Newsmax being allowed on TV packages, Americans haven’t had a choice as to whether their tax dollars go to fund far-left news outlets in NPR and PBS.
When asked about why they dropped Newsmax and OAN, DirecTV said that Newsmax’s demands for rate increases would have led to significantly higher costs that they would have to pass on to their customers. But Newsmax suspects that it was due to the letter from Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., and then-Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Calif., which demanded that cable and satellite TV providers explain their alleged role in the ‘spread of dangerous misinformation’ by carrying conservative networks.
Freshman Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) called out the Left’s ongoing campaign to purge voices they disagree with from the public sphere, saying “deplatforming Newsmax is the latest development in the Left’s ongoing campaign to purge voices they disagree with from the public sphere. This decision by DirecTV and TPG Capital will cut off tens of millions of viewers who rely on Newsmax for their news and information.”
It’s concerning that Big Media is trying to keep conservative voices out of the marketplace. DirecTV’s decision to drop Newsmax and OAN is a blatant act of political discrimination and censorship, and it’s important to call attention to it. We must hold Big Media accountable for their actions and stand up for conservative voices.
Donald Trump Jr. said in a statement that the people need to boycott DirectTV and TPG Capitol and I’m inclined to agree. I certainly don’t want to see my hard-earned money funding more censorship.
Erica Carlin is an independent journalist, opinion writer and contributor to several news and opinion sources. She is based in Georgia.
