ROME, May 21 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore has called on Italian TV viewers to demand Rupert Murdoch restore the liberal channel Current to Sky Italia.
Gore urged viewers Friday to e-mail and call Sky Italia to say they would cancel their subscriptions, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. He accused Murdoch of dropping Current because of his new alliance with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Current TV was founded in 2006 by Gore and businessman Joel Hyatt.
"In the past Berlusconi's men pressured Sky to stop Current transmitting uncomfortable programs and Sky defended us," Gore said. "Since there has been talk of new contracts, the pair have become closer and this was a factor that led to us being closed down,"
Sky Italia said the decision was a business one, based on Current's 35 percent increase in its charges.
