DirecTV criticizes Newsmax for ‘inaccurate and misleading’ attacks after right network was shut down

Oliver Darcy, CNN

All the niceties have been thrown out the window as DirecTV finds itself trapped in an ugly wagon dispute with Newsmax.

The satellite operator, which refuses to succumb to pressure to pay millions of dollars to broadcast the network’s low-rated programming, lashed out at the right-wing talk channel on Tuesday.

In a letter sent to prominent Jewish supporters of Newsmax who raised concerns about the issue, DirecTV effectively accused the network of running a dishonest pressure campaign against the company, which had mischaracterized the run-of-the-mill wagon controversy as a heinous act against conservative censorship.

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“To put it simply, this is a typical business dispute that has nothing to do with ideology, politics or censorship – despite unsubstantiated accusations to the contrary by Newsmax, its CEO, commentators and others,” DirecTV said.

At the heart of the controversy: Newsmax has demanded millions in fares from DirecTV to keep the channel on its lineup. DirecTV refused, saying it didn’t want to pass on additional costs to its subscribers for a channel that was actually watched by a small percentage of viewers. DirecTV also refuses to pay for the same content streamed for free to users on other platforms such as Roku.

But Newsmax — and Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill — put forward a completely different version, not supported by the facts in the case. They accused DirecTV, which had just added another right-wing talk channel to its lineup, of censoring conservative voices.

Newsmax, led by Chris Ruddy, who is well connected in GOP circles, has used his platform and political power in recent weeks to get DirecTV to pay.

DirecTV said it finds the behavior “worrisome”, accusing Newsmax of spreading “inaccurate and misleading information” about the dispute as it publishes an endless stream of content aimed at the satellite operator.

“In our view, these efforts are hiding the facts by pursuing Newsmax’s own commercial interests,” DirecTV said, “without clarifying the news.”

Newsmax did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday evening.

However, the letter from DirecTV comes as Republicans on Capitol Hill continue to hint that they will hold a hearing on the matter. GOP member Brion Donalds, a member of the House Oversight Committee, told Newsmax this week that Republicans are “definitely looking into” holding a hearing.

“Obviously we have a problem with a lot of media companies silencing conservative thought and conservative speech,” Donalds said, “and the only thing we’re committed to is doing everything we can to put a stop to that.”

The-CNN-Wire
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DirecTV’s post blasted Newsmax for spreading “inaccurate and misleading” attacks after the right-wing network went down, first appeared on KION546.

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