Protest Planned Outside WTNH In New Haven Over Kimmel Decision

CONNECTICUT — A recent corporate decision to continue preempting “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” has prompted some activists to organize a protest today outside WTNH in New Haven.

Liz Dupont-Diehl, a spokesperson for Connecticut Citizen Action Group, which is organizing the protest, said it will begin at noon today outside WTNH’s Elm Street location.

While Kimmel’s show returned for many nationwide on Tuesday, it still isn’t appearing on ABC affiliate WTNH in Connecticut.

“This is not just about one late-night show; it is about the dangers of media consolidation, censorship, and the growing impediment to free speech caused by right-wing corporate control of information,” protest organizers said, in an announcement.

“When one company controls what our communities see and hear, it undermines free expression, restricts access to diverse viewpoints, and gives a small group of corporate executives outsized influence over democracy,” organizers said.

Protesters will be calling on state and federal leaders to “halt further consolidation and to ensure Connecticut residents have access to independent, diverse, and uncensored media.”

On Tuesday, WTNH’s owner, Texas-based Nexstar Media Group Inc., announced that all of its owned and partner television stations affiliated with the ABC Television Network will continue to preempt the show.

Nexstar indicated it will monitor the show for future decision-making about whether to air it.

The show had been suspended in response to Kimmel’s comments about the murder of political activist Charlie Kirk.

“We made a decision last week to preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel’s “ill-timed and insensitive” comments at a critical time in our national discourse,” Nexstar wrote, in its Tuesday announcement. “We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve.”

Read more:
This CT TV Station Still Won't Air Jimmy Kimmel: Here’s Why, What To Know
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