The National Rifle Association says it may not be able to continue operating its controversial broadcast arm NRA TV because it has been unable to secure media liability coverage.
In a federal lawsuit filed last month, the NRA blames political pressure for the organization’s inability to obtain that coverage and other insurance the organization says it needs to continue operating as an advocacy organization.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court last month against the State of New York and Governor Andrew Cuomo for what the group claims is an ongoing “discrimination campaign” by state officials. The NRA says the opinions of Cuomo and other officials infringe on the group’s First Amendment protections and have created difficult business conditions for the non-profit.
“The NRA has suffered tens of millions of dollars in damages,” the group alleges.
NRA TV was launched in 2016 as a streaming service operated by the firearms advocacy group. The stream was made available primarily on smart television apps offered by Amazon, Apple, Roku and Google; segments are offered on demand via the NRA TV’s website and on YouTube.
The operation has been criticized for airing misleading segments about the March for Our Lives campaign and other politically-charged issues.
Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors, the New York-based law firm representing the NRA in its lawsuit against the state, has a track record of representing unsavory characters in similar suits. The firm’s clients include large tobacco organizations, international banks and a religious non-profit who was sued in a sexual harassment-matter.
DOCUMENT: Read the NRA’s federal lawsuit here
