In America, TV networks and other major platforms want to make sure that there is only one perspective shared on the airwaves.
Right-wing cable news channel One America News (OAN) Network is learning that the hard way. Multichannel video programming distributor DirecTV has refused to renew its contract with OAN.
This has prompted the House Freedom Caucus to send a letter on April 1, 2022 to DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow urging him to reverse course on this decision.
The Daily Caller was the first outlet to obtain the letter. In the letter, the Freedom Caucus described the decision to take OAN off-air as an assault on the First Amendment. They did so by arguing that this move is an attempt to silence right-wing discourse.
Henry Rodgers of The Daily Caller listed off the three requests the House Freedom Caucus made of Morrow and DirecTV:
- Reconsider the contract renewal decision
- Provide a detailed explanation of why DirecTV didn’t renew the contract
- Answer whether anyone affiliated with AT&T had anything to do with the decision.
Herring Networks Inc. is the owner of OAN. In a statement to Bloomberg, a DirecTV spokesperson said that upon reviewing its relationship with Herring Networks, it opted to not renew their contract.
According to a Reuters report, DirecTV made up 90% of the network’s revenue.
“As you surely agree, the First Amendment right to free speech is a cornerstone of America’s Republic. Yet, in recent years, we have witnessed a broad and concerted effort by large corporations to silence the speech of conservatives and marginalize opinions that do not fall within the political Left’s radical ‘woke’ worldview,” the Republican leaders said in the letter.
“To date, no meaningful explanation of this decision has been provided to DirecTV customers by the company. DirecTV is both the largest distributor of OANN and it is one of the only options for live television for many of our constituents. Not only is this a massive blow to the popular news network, but it is a massive blow to our constituents who have come to rely on it as an important source for news and opinions,” the House Freedom Caucus members added.
The House Freedom Caucus demanded a response to its letter within 10 business days.
The letter can be read here.
It’s no secret that big business is now fully in the tank for the Left. Even when the Left can’t get things done legislatively, they will use corporate power to advance their agenda.
It’s up to liberty conservatives to not only build parallel institutions to allow for conservative creators to monetize their content, but also use prudential state power to crush leftist institutions and private entities that willingly carry out the Left’s demonic agenda.
These moments in American history require decisive measures, not half-measures, from conservatives in power. The Right will invariably face defeat if it doesn’t wake up to these new political realities and start acting boldly against the Left.
