Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., told Newsmax Friday that DirecTV's deplatforming of Newsmax is "an important issue" because "every voice should be heard."
"This is an important issue because of freedom of speech," Zinke said during an appearance on Newsmax's "Spicer & Co." "We've seen what happens when too much power is in the hands of too little: Our news gets censored.
"It gets manipulated, and people get exposed to propaganda," the Montana Republican continued. "So this is a big discussion about making sure we have freedom of speech, making sure that information is not held by too few hands and that a conservative voice is heard — just like every voice should be heard."
AT&T's DirecTV cut Newsmax's signal last week, immediately blocking more than 13 million customers of the satellite service, DirecTV Stream and U-verse from accessing the channel.
Call DirecTV to cancel at 877-763-9762
This is the second time in the past year AT&T has moved to cancel a conservative channel, with DirecTV deplatforming OAN in April.
DirecTV said the move was a "cost-cutting measure," despite Newsmax being the fourth highest-rated cable news channel in the nation, a top 20 cable news channel overall, and watched by 25 million Americans on cable alone, according to Nielsen.
The network was also seeking a significantly smaller license fee than lower-rated liberal news channels.
"When you're deplatformed and you're censored, enough's enough," Zinke said.
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.
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