Former CNN prime-time icon Larry King says he’s got no problem appearing on RT America, the pro-Russian government network that now airs his shows – as long as it doesn’t try to muzzle him.
Just two days after anchor
Liz Wahl quit the network in a bold on-the-air announcement, claiming bosses censored criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Ukraine crisis, King told
The Daily Beast he wouldn’t put up with that – and hasn’t had to.
“If they took something out, I would never do it,” he said. “It would be bad if they tried to edit out things. I wouldn’t put up with it.... As long as they don’t, as long as they’re carrying stuff critical of them, I’ve got no problem with it.”
“You may not like what Russia’s doing now, but I’m really a party removed,” he added.
The veteran broadcaster has two shows on RT America: “Larry King Now” and “Politicking with Larry King.” They also run on Ora TV and Hulu.
“It always runs in full,” he told The Daily Beast in an interview posted Friday. “They’ve never edited a show,” adding: “To my knowledge, they’ve never edited a show.”
Putin
was once a guest on CNN’s “Larry King Live.”
“Can I ask a question? I’m not sure why, but the king is leaving us,”
Putin said at the end of the 2010 interview.
“There are many gifted and interesting people working in the American media, but there is only one King. I’m not asking why he’s leaving us, but I want to know when we will be able to say, ‘Long Live the King!’? When will there be another figure as popular around the world as you are?”
King told The Daily Beast he’s had critics of Putin on his latest “Politicking” show, including Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Rep. Buck McKeon, California Republican, who called Putin a “schoolyard bully.”
“I think it’s very good if critics of Putin get on,” King said. “That’s good.”
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