This is Owen Jones. For those who don’t know, I’m a Guardian columnist, author, and outspoken activist.

In this holiday season, my country (the UK) can take credit for giving America one of the best journalism gifts ever -- Mehdi Hasan. I’ve known and worked with Mehdi since before he came to the U.S. to be an MSNBC host.

He’s been called "a wildly talented interviewer" by the New York Times’ Jonathan Swan, "one of the best interviewers in the business" by former Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor, and "quite simply a brilliant journalist" by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.

In a time when we need strong journalists to challenge establishment talking points, MSNBC is putting a muzzle on one of the most incredible journalists on the air by taking away Mehdi’s host position. Democracy needs Mehdi Hasan’s razor-sharp interviewing of powerful people.

Over 15,000 news viewers have signed the PCCC’s petition to MSNBC. I just did. Can you?

Sign the petition: Tell MSNBC we need MORE hosts and guests who challenge power and conventional wisdom -- not less. Keep Mehdi Hasan as a host of his own show.

Thank you.

-- Owen Jones

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