Sanders ‘disappointed’ in canceled MSNBC show

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a Democratic presidential candidate, said Thursday that he is “very disappointed” by reports that MSNBC’s “The Ed Show” is getting canceled.

The program is hosted by Ed Schultz, who frequently tackles subjects such as trade from a liberal perspective.

“We live in a time when much of the corporate media regards politics as a baseball game or a soap opera. Ed Schultz has treated the American people with respect by focusing on the most important issues impacting their lives,” Sanders said in a statement.

Sanders praised Schultz for his focus on issues such as income and wealth inequality, as well as unemployment, issues Sanders has been outspoken about on the campaign trail. 

“I am very disappointed that Comcast chose to remove Ed Schultz from its lineup. We need more people who talk about the real issues facing our country, not fewer,” Sanders said.

Comcast is the parent company for NBC and MSNBC. 

“At a time when a handful of large, multi-national corporations own our major media outlets, I hope they will allow voices to be heard from those who dissent from the corporate agenda,” Sanders said in the statement issued by his Senate office.

A tweet sent Wednesday night from his presidential campaign also took issue with “corporate media.”

The corporate media spends enormous time and energy diverting our attention away from the most important issues facing us.

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 23, 2015

The self-proclaimed democratic socialist lawmaker issued the Thursday statement before MSNBC had officially confirmed reports that Schultz’s show and several others would be cut for more news-driven programming.

NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack is holding a staff meeting Thursday where other announcements are expected, according to Politico.

Sanders has appeared on the program regularly, including for an interview billed as his first after launching his White House campaign in late April.