Republican rebukes FCC chair’s threats to revoke broadcast licenses over Iran war | Trump administration
Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), faced backlash from a Republican lawmaker on Saturday after warning broadcasters that they could lose their licenses if they air what the federal agency calls “fake news” related to the Iran conflict.
Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson said in an interview on Fox News’ Sunday Briefing that he is not in favor of government control of private enterprise or efforts to interfere with constitutionally protected free speech.
“I’m hugely supportive of the first amendment,” Johnson said. “I don’t like the heavy hand of government, no matter who is in it. So no, I would prefer the federal government stay as far away from the private sector as possible.
“The role of the federal government is to protect our freedoms and constitutional rights,” he added.
Carr, Trump’s FCC appointee, is facing backlash over comments he made Saturday saying licenses held by broadcasters could be revoked.
“Publishers publishing distorted news, also known as fake news and fake news, now have a chance to correct course before license renewals come in,” Carr wrote to X. “The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest and if they fail to do so they will lose their licences.”
Democrats criticized Carr’s warning shot. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts said: “It’s illegal for the government to censor free speech, they just don’t like Trump’s Iran war. This threat is straight out of the authoritarian playbook.”
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy agrees. “A truly extraordinary moment.” wrote on social media. “We are not on the brink of totalitarian rule. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. Act like it.” California Governor Gavin Newsom in question It was “clearly unconstitutional”.
Carr later doubled down on that threat in an interview with CBS News.
“People have gotten used to the idea that licenses are a form of property rights and that nothing can be done that would result in losing their license,” Carr said. “I’m trying to help reorient people to the idea that no, it’s in the public interest and broadcasting is different.
“You know, all broadcasters should feel completely free to do all of their reporting,” Carr added, as long as they don’t engage in “news distortion.”
The FCC has lost power in recent years as “over-the-air” broadcasting by national local TV loses ground to cable, satellite and online distribution systems over which it has little or no influence. However, Paramount Skydance, which owns CBS News, and Warner Bros., which owns CNN. It has the power to regulate media acquisitions and mergers, including the latest deal between Discovery.
Anna Gomez, the committee’s sole Democrat, said the FCC “can make threats all day long but is powerless to carry them out.” gomez he warned in a post “such threats violate the First Amendment and will go nowhere.”
“Publishers must continue to report news vigorously and independently, without fear of government pressure,” he added.
