Music mogul Diddy is stepping forward. The hip-hop veteran has addressed a current legal war between TV executive Byron Allen and network Comcast centered on racial discrimination.

Puff Daddy went to his social media channels to address his REVOLT network being referenced by Comcast as an example of it not discriminating against blacks.

My name and my network, REVOLT, have been mentioned recently by Comcast in reference to the Comcast/Byron Allen US Supreme Court case as an example of Comcast’s inclusive practices with respect to African American owned cable networks.

— Diddy (@Diddy) November 21, 2019

By taking this stance in the Supreme Court, Comcast has put its legal tactics ahead of the rights of millions of Americans to be heard. This is not OK.

Read my full statement at: https://t.co/rCdc9LU6kk

— Diddy (@Diddy) November 21, 2019

The Civil Rights Act of 1866 section 1981 was designed to ensure Black people are able to do business in this country and not be denied because of race.

— Diddy (@Diddy) November 21, 2019

First, it’s important that people really understand what’s at stake. In its efforts to get the lawsuit filed by Byron Allen dismissed, Comcast has taken a legal approach that could weaken fundamental civil rights protections. I have a problem with this.

— Diddy (@Diddy) November 21, 2019

I also want to make clear that this case is now about much more than cable distribution. It’s about the civil rights of millions of African Americans and other minorities.

— Diddy (@Diddy) November 21, 2019

While it is true that we are in business with Comcast, it is not accurate to use my name or my network as an example of inclusion. I do not want my name to be used inaccurately so I must speak my truth.

— Diddy (@Diddy) November 21, 2019

View this post on Instagram

My name and my network, REVOLT, have been mentioned recently by Comcast in reference to the Comcast/Byron Allen US Supreme Court case as an example of Comcast’s inclusive practices with respect to African American owned cable networks. While it is true that we are in business with Comcast, it is not accurate to use my name or my network as an example of inclusion. I do not want my name to be used inaccurately so I must speak my truth. I also want to make clear that this case is now about much more than cable distribution. It’s about the civil rights of millions of African Americans and other minorities.⁣⁣ ⁣ First, it’s important that people really understand what’s at stake. In its efforts to get the lawsuit filed by Byron Allen dismissed, Comcast has taken a legal approach that could weaken fundamental civil rights protections. I have a problem with this. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 section 1981 was designed to ensure Black people are able to do business in this country and not be denied because of race. Comcast is arguing that this law only applies if racial discrimination is the only factor that leads to a refusal to do business, which would be extremely hard to prove. If they are successful, it will become much harder for any victim of discrimination to seek justice in court. By taking this stance in the Supreme Court, Comcast has put its legal tactics ahead of the rights of millions of Americans to be heard. This is not OK.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Full statement on REVOLT.TV

A post shared by Diddy (@diddy) on Nov 21, 2019 at 6:45am PST

On Wednesday, the case went before the Supreme Court following publicized coverage.

At issue is whether Allen’s $20 billion lawsuit should have survived beyond the pleading stage by merely proving that his race was a “motivating factor” in Comcast’s decision to deny carriage of his company’s channels, or whether it was the sole cause, something called “but for” in legalese. The Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of Allen last year, and some of the justices found fault with the lower court’s reasoning. There also was skepticism of issuing a definitive ruling that established a lower threshold when a case is first filed, and a higher one if it reaches a trial. (Deadline)

The legal case dates back to 2015 when Allen initially sued Comcast for racial discrimination.

Allen sued Comcast and Charter Communications over racial discrimination after the cable giants refused to include his programming on their networks. Allen, Entertainment Studios chairman and CEO, owns The Weather Channel, theGriot and several television stations across the country. (Our Weekly)

Comcast is also currently going through a war with premium movie network STARZ.

The Allen-Comcast hearing also drew a handful of demonstrators urging Comcast to keep the pay TV channels group Starz on its cable systems. Comcast and Starz, which is owned by Lionsgate, have been tussling over carriage renewal terms. Starz has told its subscribers that it could go dark on Comcast systems if a deal isn’t reached by Dec. 10. Protestors at the Supreme Court focused attention on Starz as the home of “Power,” the crime drama that ranks high among the most-watched series in African-American homes. The group circulated a petition and carried professionally printed signs declaring: “Stop Comcast. Keep Starz. Sign the Petition.” (Variety)

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