Sign the Petition: Tell AT&T to cut all ties with far-right One America News >>
John, One America News (OAN) -- the Trump-approved, ultra-conservative “news” network known for spewing disinformation about our election integrity and COVID-19 -- exists largely thanks to AT&T, according to an explosive new report.
Not only is AT&T responsible for 90% of OAN’s revenue -- but AT&T executives allegedly approached OAN’s founder and encouraged him to start the network, saying the company wanted to add a Fox News competitor to its collection. [1]
The harmful disinformation that OAN spreads day after day has had tragic impacts, from the deadly attack on our Capitol on January 6th to the loss of countless Americans who were misinformed about COVID-19. AT&T should be ashamed that it invested in -- and continues to profit from -- a disinformation vehicle that fuels hate and real-world violence.
Sign Now: Condemn AT&T for helping OAN spread lies -- and urge the company to stop bankrolling this conspiracy-peddling network.
AT&T is trying to claim that it treats OAN like any other network -- but a new investigation from Reuters suggests otherwise.
The report reveals that:
- OAN was created at the behest of AT&T executives.
- When AT&T wanted to buy DirecTV, OAN’s founder agreed to lobby FCC commissioners on AT&T’s behalf in exchange for a channel on DirecTV.
- OAN promised to cast AT&T in a “positive light” when covering the DirecTV merger in newscasts.
- AT&T is OAN’s largest distributor -- and their deal makes it nearly impossible for any other cable provider to pick up the network.
In short, through a number of financial entanglements and quid pro quo agreements -- AT&T has been instrumental in the success of Donald Trump's favorite cable news channel.
Add your name if you agree: AT&T needs to take bold action and join the fight against deadly disinformation -- by cutting all ties with OAN.
John, unless AT&T hears from consumers like you and me -- it will continue to fund the network that has fueled an insurrection, dozens of voter suppression bills, and the proliferation of disinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope you’ll speak out today.
Thanks for all you do,
Devon Nir, Digital Strategies Manager
and the team at Common Cause
1) https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-oneamerica-att/
