Manhattan Official Calls for Newsmax Removal From Taxi Screens

Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal has ignited a firestorm by demanding the removal of Newsmax, a conservative news outlet, from the backseat screens of New York City’s iconic yellow cabs.

On January 21, Hoylman-Sigal sent a letter to Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Midori Valdivia, urging them to pressure Curb, a TLC-authorized technology provider, to drop its partnership with Newsmax, which streams national news content on 9,000 screens in NYC taxis out of 15,000 across 65 U.S. markets, or face suspension of its city licensing deal. The Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) has defended the content, stating it complies with standards that prohibit material demeaning to communities. Mayor Mamdani’s office has not commented on the matter.

The issue has sparked sharp debate over free speech and the role of government in regulating media content. Critics, including the New York Republican Club, have accused Hoylman-Sigal of pushing a dangerous precedent. What’s really at stake here is whether city officials should play gatekeeper to what passengers see during a cab ride.

Hoylman-Sigal’s Push Against Newsmax Content

Hoylman-Sigal’s letter specifically aimed at Newsmax, questioning statements made by its hosts on topics like immigration. He didn’t hold back, arguing the network lacks credibility for New Yorkers.

“Is not a credible news source for New Yorkers,” Hoylman-Sigal wrote in his January 21 letter to Mayor Mamdani and TLC Commissioner Valdivia. That’s a bold claim, but recent reviews of Newsmax’s “News Minute” on Taxi TV, hosted by Alex Kraemer, showed standard reporting on topics like congressional debates and visa policies, as New York Post reports.

Curb, the tech provider behind the screens, emphasized its neutrality, noting that it also airs public service announcements from the Mamdani administration. A spokesperson insisted no opinion or editorial content has aired since the partnership began.

Critics Cry Foul Over Censorship Claims

Opposition to Hoylman-Sigal’s demand has been swift and pointed, with detractors labeling it a clear overreach. Stefano Forte, president of the New York Republican Club, didn’t mince words on the matter.

“This is cancel culture in the free market,” Forte declared. Well, he’s got a point—when a public official pushes to silence a media outlet, it’s hard to see it as anything but a heavy hand on the scales.

The TLC, for its part, has stood by Curb’s content, asserting that Newsmax’s current programming doesn’t violate its guidelines. Riders can also mute or turn off the screens, a small but practical nod to personal choice.

Debating the Role of Taxi TV

Taxi TV isn’t just a news ticker—it’s a platform reaching thousands daily, often with civic messages alongside news snippets. Curb’s reach in NYC alone covers 9,000 screens, a significant slice of public attention.

Hoylman-Sigal’s focus on Newsmax’s immigration commentary raises questions about selective outrage. If the concern is misinformation, where’s the same energy for other outlets with questionable takes? It’s a slippery slope when one side gets to decide what’s “credible.”

Newsmax itself fired back, calling the move a blatant attempt to censor a network reaching over 50 million Americans. They argue their reporting is straightforward, which they claim frustrates progressive agendas.

Balancing Free Speech and Oversight

The TLC’s rules are clear: no content that disparages or demeans communities is allowed, and they’ve found no violations so far. Regular monitoring continues, as does the option for riders to opt out of watching. Seems like a reasonable middle ground, doesn’t it?

Yet Hoylman-Sigal’s insistence on suspending Curb’s license over this feels like using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut. Disagreement over content shouldn’t equate to shutting down access.

New Yorkers are savvy enough to change the channel—or mute it—without a borough president playing nanny.