Al Gore Lashes Out At News Corp.’s “Abuse Of Power” For Pushing Current TV Off Italian Airwaves
Reported by Ellen - May 24, 2011 -
In an interview with Britain’s Guardian last week, Al Gore did not mince words as he accused News Corp’s Sky Italia of abusing its power when it decided to stop carrying Gore’s Current TV after that network hired Fox News antagonist Keith Olbermann. (H/T John M.)
The Guardian reported:
(Gore) added that the decision reflected how News Corporation operated worldwide. "News Corporation is an international conglomerate with an ideological agenda. It seeks political power in every nation they operate. They wield that power to shut down voices that disagree with the agenda of Rupert Murdoch," Gore said.The decision, he added, was "a complete shock" but Current TV executives were told "off the record that the decision was taken on News Corp instructions from New York". The primary reason, he said, was "because Current is launching Keith Olbermann next month".
… Gore added that he had a "pleasant personal relationship" with Murdoch dating back to the former vice-president's time in the White House, and said that he wasn't sure exactly on whose authority the decision was made to order Current TV off the air in Italy. He said that he didn't want "to make this ad hominem" but added it was clear that Murdoch and News Corp had too much power.
News Corp. claimed that the decision to drop Current TV was strictly for commercial reasons.
