Comcast Forced MSNBC To Change Coverage Focus Of Hamas Attacks

Ayman Mohyeldin, Ali Velshi, and Mehdi Hasan

Comcast, the corporate parent of MSNBC, intervened during the network’s coverage of the deadly October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas to address the network’s rampant criticism of Israel. 

During that time, MSNBC anchors Ayman Mohyeldin, Mehdi Hasan, and Ali Velshi interviewed guests who suggested that the Hamas cross-border invasion, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis, including women and children, was due to “failed policies” by the US and Israel.

Michael Cavanaugh

Comcast’s president, Michael Cavanagh, expressed his concerns to Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, which includes MSNBC. In response, Conde instructed MSNBC to focus on facts and give less weight to opinions and commentary. Subsequently, the network experienced lineup changes, and anchors Mohyeldin, Hasan, and Velshi were reportedly sidelined. Hasan, who frequently criticized Israel, left MSNBC in January after his show was canceled.

Despite its partisan, anti-Donald Trump coverage, MSNBC faced a decline in viewership following the attacks. The head of the Anti-Defamation League, Jonathan Greenblatt, even questioned the network’s coverage, asking, "Who’s writing your scripts? Hamas?"

MSNBC anchors Mohyeldin, Hasan and Velshi, who are all Muslim, interviewed guests who suggested the shocking Hamas cross-border invasion — which slaughtered around 1,200 Israelis, including women and children — was the result of “failed policies” by the US and Israel.

The tenor of MSNBC’s coverage that Saturday morning prompted Comcast president Michael Cavanagh to convey his concerns to Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, the division that includes MSNBC, NBC News and CNBC, according to the New York Times.

The NBCUniversal News boss then issued a directive to his subordinates at MSNBC to focus on the facts and give less weight to opinions and commentary, the Times reported.

Weeks later, Mohyeldin, Hasan and Velshi were reportedly sidelined. MSNBC denied the claim that they silenced the three, saying the lineup changes were “coincidental.”

Hasan, who frequently criticized Israel in his commentary, left MSNBC in January — weeks after his show was canceled.