1 month ago
Anna Gomez, nan sole Democrat connected nan FCC, chided nan agency for launching an early reappraisal of ABC stations’ broadcast licenses, calling it a politically motivated effort to stifle speech.
Earlier connected Tuesday, nan FCC nether Chairman Brendan Carr ordered an early licence renewal process for 8 stations owned by ABC, citing an investigation into nan diversity, equity and inclusion programs astatine The Walt Disney Co. But nan move follows calls by President Donald Trump and Melania Trump to occurrence Jimmy Kimmel, aft he made a joke astir nan first woman being an “expectant widow” connected a show past week.
Gomez said successful a statement, “This is nan astir egregious action this FCC has taken successful usurpation of nan First Amendment to date. As portion of its ongoing run of censorship and control, nan White House called publically for nan silencing of a vocal critic, and this FCC has now answered that call.
“This is an unprecedented and politically motivated effort to interfere pinch really broadcasters operate, and this unlawful overreach will fail. This should beryllium a instruction to media companies that nary magnitude of capitulation to this Administration will bargain them protection. The only prime is to guidelines up and guidelines patient successful defense of nan First Amendment.”
Other groups besides condemned nan FCC’s action. Robert Corn-Revere, main counsel astatine nan Foundation for Equal Rights and Expression, said successful a statement, Brendan Carr’s FCC subjecting Disney-owned-and-operated tv stations to an early licence renewal proceeding because of jokes successful a late-night speech is viewpoint retaliation.
“The FCC whitethorn declare these actions are based connected DEI policies and person thing to do pinch Jimmy Kimmel, but its timing makes it clear these justifications are a fig leaf. This run against a disfavored broadcaster violates nan First Amendment, axenic and simple.”
More to come.
