Special Report: How AT&T helped build far-right One America News

[suegeo]

Source: Reuters

One America News, the far-right network whose fortunes and viewership rose amid the triumph and tumult of the Trump administration, has flourished with support from a surprising source: AT&T Inc, the world's largest communications company.

A Reuters review of court records shows the role AT&T played in creating and funding OAN, a network that continues to spread conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and the COVID-19 pandemic.

OAN founder and chief executive Robert Herring Sr has testified that the inspiration to launch OAN in 2013 came from AT&T executives.



Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/how-att-helped-build-far-right-one-america-news-2021-10-06/

[Carlitos Brigante]

1. I their ethics are as solid as their 'service'..... nt

[KPN]

2. Time to finally get serious about finding another cell service provider for our family plan.

I can't give my business to AT&T knowing this. I already had reservations about them, but this settles it for me. Putting it on my "To Do" list right now. It'll most likely cost me, but that's a cost I can accept.

Does anyone have any insight into cell service providers that align best with Democratic values?

[KS Toronado]

5. Lots of people I know have switched to tracfone

Even talked me into it several months back, check them out.

[Pinback]

8. Some Tracfone users are on the AT&T network

How to Determine Which Carrier a TracFone Uses (Techwalla, Sept. 2019):
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-determine-which-carrier-a-tracfone-uses

Even though this article is a couple of years old, the information should still be valid.

[Pinback]

9. Consumer Reports has ratings of telecom services

Seeing the ratings requires a membership, but you may be able to view them if your local public library membership provides access (mine does):
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/telecom-services.htm

You can read their Telecom Services Buying Guide (last updated Sept. 17, 2021) without a membership:
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/telecom-services/buying-guide/index.htm

[love_katz]

12. Check out Credo Mobile.

It may not be the cheapest, but they actively support progressive organizations and causes. I have had good luck with their service.

[KS Toronado]

3. I'm guessing they're scared to death of higher taxes

and will do whatever it takes to put reQublicOns back in power.

[Ford_Prefect]

10. You under estimate AT&T. They appear to be part of the greater Dark Money universe

just like Koch, Mercer, et al.

They have a plan for America and it has nothing to do with your phone.

[KS Toronado]

16. Just like the Kochs, it's all about the money, ie: taxes

[Ford_Prefect]

18. Taxes yes. But far more than that they are "Christian" fascists.

They have a plan for our future which is more white and old testament than is good for us. They imagine themselves to be God's chosen by virtue of their vast wealth. Hence they are the natural aristocracy of the new world and may decree how other lesser mortals must behave.

Personally I favor serving the ultra-rich in a white wine sauce with shallots and a side of fries. But each to their own...

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

21. Fava beans...

...and a nice Chianti.

[Ford_Prefect]

23. Sounds Yummy to me...

[oldsoftie]

4. Well, THIS should make Trumpers heads explode!

the HORROR! OAN taking cash from the libruls

[KPN]

6. ?????? How did you get that out of this story? I don't see it.

[oldsoftie]

25. OAN is getting most of their money from AT&T

AT&T is viewed as a liberal company; not to mention they own the evil CNN!

[KPN]

27. Maybe by them it's viewed as liberal -- not by me.

[maxsolomon]

7. AT&T thinks there are 7 "Leftwing" news networks?

OAN founder and chief executive Robert Herring Sr has testified that the inspiration to launch OAN in 2013 came from AT&T executives.

“They told us they wanted a conservative network,” Herring said during a 2019 deposition seen by Reuters. “They only had one, which was Fox News, and they had seven others on the other [leftwing] side. When they said that, I jumped to it and built one.”

There isn't even ONE.

[Champp]

11. This is just more Republican bullshit lies

There are no leftwing networks. It's a complete fugging Republican fantasy lie. As usual.

[maxsolomon]

15. Can you imagine and ACTUAL Left Wing network?

they'd be burned to the ground within a month.

[onenote]

17. The reality is that ATT wanted another conservative network to give it leverage in its negotiations

with Fox.

[oldsoftie]

26. Well, they put "leftwing" in brackets, so thats not what was said

They said "the other side" which doesnt mean "left wing" to me.

[DFW]

13. Harold Geneen may no longer be around

But his spirit still rules there

[monkeyman1]

14. that's why called " American TRASH & TELEPHONE !!

[suegeo]

19. Kick

[czarjak]

20. Barrel bottoms aren't endless.

[truthisfreedom]

22. I am SOOOO disappointed.

ATT is the worst.

[Old Okie]

24. AT&T

Really upset when I read about this on HuffPost; they are not just supporting it but were involved in setting it up. Its basically a Russian propaganda outlet being funded by an American company. Being supported by Direct TV (although it is also on Verizon Fios) which is owned by AT&T although the satellite service was supposedly spun off. Also own CNN which explains some of the hysteria about Biden on that channel, which keeps dragging people like Christie and Sanctorum on for "Balance". Really time to get off cable. I just bought some AT&T landline phones, unfortunately too late to return them or I would.

[Judi Lynn]

28. Surprising to read Reuters saying Herring, Sr. is a high school drop-out.

Didn't his father have enough money to send someone to school in his name, so he could get credit, like the Walmart (Walton) granddaughter?

Link to tweet

[dalton99a]

29. Kick