AT&T's DirecTV, with its cancellation of Newsmax, shows the "clear repression that we've all feared under a Sovietization of the American media," best-selling author and podcaster Dr. Michael Savage tells Newsmax.
"Distribution of any product, whether it be news, sports, entertainment, or a toothbrush, the distribution of any product is key," Savage told Newsmax's "Prime News" on Thursday night. "Those who control distribution, such as in this case, DirecTV, control the dialogue when it comes to Newsmax and what shows they're going to run."
And when DirecTV canceled Newsmax on Jan. 24, it wasn't because of the free market, but instead was an example of "Sovietization," Savage said.
"They're using the false canard that it is the free market, making that their determination, which is proven false by the fact that they pay fees to networks that have much lower ratings than Newsmax," he added.
DirecTV customers call toll free at 877-763-9762
Savage insisted that DirecTV be "hauled in front of Congress, and be held over the coals and be forced to release all their emails between them and members of the Democratic Party."
When that happens, he added, "I can guarantee you heads are going to roll at DirecTV and Newsmax will be put back on the air."
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Thursday that hearings in the chamber will cast "sunlight" on DirecTV's censorship.
Savage, meanwhile, said that DirecTV's move came because "the Democrat Party, the Socialist Democrat Party, is manipulating DirecTV by offering them some kind of favors, in my opinion, behind the scenes to drop Newsmax because they don't like the coverage because it's not Soviet enough."
He stressed that is his opinion, but it can "easily be proven with some hearings and some release of emails by the Republicans."
DirecTV's actions, he continued, show "clear repression."
"This is a horrible situation because if it's not stopped now, where will it be stopped? Our internal enemies are turning the United States of America into the ex-Soviet Union as rapidly as they can," Savage said.
Savage's comments come after AT&T DirecTV's deplatforming of Newsmax from 13 million subscriber homes, marking the second time the service removed a conservative channel in the past year. The company still carries 22 liberal news channels and all receive license fees, but has denied Newsmax any ability to receive similar payments.
Nielsen reported that Newsmax is the fourth highest-rated news channel in the U.S., a top 20 news channel overall, and watched by 25 million Americans on cable.
Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy has said AT&T DirecTV's action was "a blatant act of censorship."
Actions to Take Now
1. DirecTV customers call toll free at 877-763-9762 to cancel/complain.
2. AT&T customers call toll free at 888-855-2338 to cancel/complain for U-verse, cellular and wireless services.
3. Call your congressman or senator at 202-224-3121 and demand they stop AT&T/DirecTV's censorship of NEWSMAX — ask them to give you a date on the hearings!
4. Go to our online petition and get more info: iWantNewsmax.com.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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