DeSantis Urges Congress to Investigate DirecTV for Dropping Newsmax
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suggested that Congress investigate AT&T-owned DirecTV’s decision to abandon conservative channels. Newsmax.
“I think there should be no ideological litmus test when you have these big companies that have the decision to make or break a news network, or any type of network,” DeSantis said on Jan. 31.
“They will give different rationales for why they don’t want to do it, but the reality is they have so much other content that is very lightly viewed, and yet they keep that on, and it seems it is the One America News and the Newsmax who are being targeted,” DeSantis added. “So I think it does warrant an investigation.”
DirecTV Removed Newsmax On Jan. 24, the network removed its channel lineup, less than a year following the cancellation of One America News (OAN), a conservative network on its platform.
The cable provider said it had wanted to keep Newsmax but the channel’s demand for rate increases would have led to price hikes for its customers.
Newsmax has dismissed DirecTV’s claims that the decision to drop the channel was merely a fee dispute.
“This is a blatant act of political discrimination and censorship against Newsmax,” Christopher Ruddy, Newsmax CEO stated in a “a href=”https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/newsmax-at-t-directv/2023/01/24/id/1105756/”>statement. “The most extreme liberal channels, even with tiny ratings, get fees from AT&T’s DirecTV, but Newsmax and OAN need to be deplatformed.”
DeSantis stated that Congress or the House is better. “would probably be best equipped” To conduct the investigation.
“I really think this is something that the Congress needs to look at. And I think that they need to ensure that there’s not intellectual discrimination going on when it comes to what people are able to view,” The governor also added.
Congress
Many Republican legislators support Newsmax, but criticize DirecTV.
January 30, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) Telled Newsmax reported that Congress will hold hearings soon about deplatforming the channel.
James Comer, Republican of Kentucky, Chair of House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Telled Newsmax Jan. 27: There will be “a committee that’s going to hold hearings” on DirecTV’s decision to drop the channel.
“We’re going to meet later today and try to discuss which committee’s going to do what,” Comer, he said. “That’s certainly on the agenda. I’m very concerned by this.”
“We’re going to try to get to the bottom of this,” Comer added. “I’ve had several people from AT&T reach out to me. We’re going to have a meeting with them and, hopefully, we can get this resolved.”
Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., House Republican Conference Chair, took to Twitter the day before to announce that House GOP was being formed “is examining this in detail now.”
“As I’ve said, deplatforming @NEWSMAX is unacceptable,” Stefanik Write. “Families rely on this conservative program for news, including in #NY21. It’s very clear bias!”
In an interview with Newsmax, Sen. Rick Scott (R.Fla.), called for Senate hearings.
“We’ve got to get to the bottom of this,” Scott . “This censorship by companies like AT&T of conservative voices, what Google does, what Facebook does, what Elon Musk has put out about what Twitter did … this has got to stop.”
“We need to hold hearings here, we need to get to the bottom of this,” Scott stated. “I’m going to do everything that I can.”
‘Big Blow to Republican Party’
Former President Donald Trump weighed in on DirecTV’s decision on Jan. 25, calling the decision a “disgusting move” In a post to his Truth Social account.
“The Radical Left seems to have taken over the mind and soul of AT&T. This is a big blow to the Republican Party, and to America itself,” Trump Write. “I, for one, will be dropping all association with AT&T and DIRECTV, and I have plenty. This is just one of many reasons why we must WIN IN 2024!!!”
Trump Make sure to hit the campaign trail January 28th, with stops in New Hampshire & South Carolina. These were his first campaign appearances since January 28th, with stops in New Hampshire and South Carolina.https://www.theepochtimes.com/donald-trump-launches-2024-bid-for-white-house_4865191.html”>announcing His November bid for the White House.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, in an interview The Epoch Times last week, criticized DirecTV’s decision as an “arbitrary use of power.”
“I think this is the kind of arbitrary use of power that people want to be really looking at. I don’t understand how AT&T can just censor a network,” Gingrich said.
He said, “It’s helpful to have many news outlets, and I would be as opposed to dropping MSNBC or dropping CNN as to dropping Newsmax.”
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