U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified his long-standing campaign for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revoke the broadcasting licences of two major networks, ABC and NBC. These broadcasters, owned by Disney and Comcast respectively, have come under fire from Trump for their perceived bias against him in their news coverage.
On Sunday, Trump claimed that ABC and NBC primarily focus on negative stories about him, stating, “I would be totally in favour of that because they are so biased and untruthful.” He suggested that their actions warrant the revocation of their licences, which the FCC issues for eight-year terms to individual broadcast stations rather than entire networks.
While Disney declined to comment, Comcast has not yet responded to inquiries regarding Trump’s statements. Alongside his call for licence revocation, Trump proposed that broadcasters should be required to pay substantial fees for the use of public airwaves. David Sacks, now serving as a White House adviser, echoed this sentiment in October, advocating for the auctioning of broadcast spectrum with proceeds directed towards reducing the national debt.
FCC’s Role and Recent Actions
The FCC, an independent regulatory authority, plays a crucial role in overseeing broadcasting standards. In recent months, its Chair, Brendan Carr, has initiated investigations into various broadcasters’ practices. Carr remarked in July that “the media industry across this country needs a course correction,” highlighting the agency’s increasing scrutiny of media operations.
In a notable decision, the FCC approved a merger worth $8.4 billion between CBS parent company Paramount Global and Skydance Media, contingent upon Skydance ensuring that CBS’s news and entertainment offerings remain free from bias. This approval also required hiring an ombudsman to address complaints for at least two years, a factor Carr cited as instrumental in the merger’s approval.
However, the FCC’s increased oversight has drawn criticism. Anna Gomez, a Democratic FCC Commissioner, expressed concern that the agency is applying “never-before-seen controls over newsroom decisions and editorial judgment,” which she argues contravenes First Amendment rights.
Historical Context and Responses
Historically, Trump’s calls for broadcaster regulation have not been supported by the FCC. In 2017, then FCC Chair Ajit Pai rejected Trump’s appeals, stating, “Under the law, the FCC does not have the authority to revoke a licence of a broadcast station based on content.” Pai emphasized the agency’s commitment to upholding the First Amendment.
In March 2023, Carr announced an investigation into Disney and its ABC division concerning their diversity practices. Additionally, in July, he opened a probe into Comcast’s affiliations with local broadcast television stations.
As the debate surrounding media bias and regulatory oversight continues, the implications of Trump’s proposals could significantly impact how broadcasting operates in the United States, particularly regarding the relationship between the government and media entities. The future of these discussions remains uncertain as the FCC navigates between regulatory authority and freedom of the press.
