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The Word Network alleges racial discrimination by Sirius Satellite Radio

(Sept. 26, 2005) The Word Network, a mainstream media broadcaster for African-American ministries and gospel music, sued Sirius Satellite Radio today, alleging racial discrimination and breach of contract over its decision to cancel their contract.

Sirius dropped The Word Network from its programming in mid-September despite backing from members of Congress, African-American religious leaders, and tens of thousands of listeners and other interested Americans.

"We did not want to file suit, but Sirius gave us no choice," said Lewis Gibbs, The Word Network's vice president of operations, in a statement. "We were dropped without warning and when pressed as to why, Sirius said ratings were poor. However, Sirius refused to say what the ratings were or if others with supposedly similar ratings were also unceremoniously dropped. We feel that was a pretext for racial and religious discrimination, and neither we nor our supporters will stand for it

The suit alleges that The Word Network was the only programming on Sirius that combined religious programming and ministry to an African-American audience, and Sirius does not now carry, and has no plans to carry, programming similar to it on its satellite. Sirius was therefore, the suit alleges, "motivated by racial and religious discrimination when it refused to renew its contract."

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