Broadcast Networks Accused of Bias in News Reporting: ABC, NBC, and CBS Faced with Allegations of News Manipulation in a FCC Complaint
The Center for American Rights Fires Back at Major Networks
The conservative group Center for American Rights (CAR) has once again taken aim at ABC, NBC, and CBS, filing a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over their coverage of the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The latest complaint, submitted on April 21, claims the networks provided "false or misleading information" during their reporting, which CAR argues is a breach of their responsibilities under the public interest standard.
This move comes shortly after FCC Chair Brendan Carr criticized NBC's parent company, Comcast, in an April 16 social media post. Carr accused Comcast's cable news channel MSNBC of inaccurate coverage regarding the dispute over the deportation of the Salvadoran immigrant.
In the post, Carr pointed out that Comcast outlets had suggested Abrego Garcia was a law-abiding U.S. citizen, simply a "Maryland man." Critics interpreted this post as a warning, hinting that Carr might launch an investigation into Comcast's broadcast station licenses.
Previously, CAR had lodged complaints against the networks for alleged "news distortion" in their coverage of Donald Trump during the presidential election. These complaints were initially dismissed by the FCC, only to be reinstated by Carr.
In the newest complaint, CAR asserts: "For decades, this Commission has insisted that a licensee may not 'distort or suppress the basic factual information upon which any truly fair and free discussion of public issues must necessarily depend.' ... Yet, in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, NBC, ABC, and CBS have all skewed the facts by referring to him as a 'Maryland father' and, in some instances, even providing false information, such as calling him a 'legal resident.' The actual facts - that he is an illegal alien and that an immigration judge has found him to be a member of a violent gang - are left unreported or treated as unconfirmed rumors."
It's unclear from the complaint what penalties CAR is seeking for the networks, or which entity they want penalized.
The FCC does regulate broadcast networks, but it does not license them. CAR's previous complaints were directed at specific FCC-licensed broadcast stations owned by the networks. This latest filing does not mention any specific stations.
In this filing, CAR outlines several conditions that might lead the FCC to revoke licenses and presents legal arguments supporting the idea that the regulator could remove a license for "news distortion" and failure to meet the "public interest" standard.
The complaint focuses on the network news divisions but overlooks the fact that the FCC does not license the networks. Instead, it urges the FCC to intervene to restore public trust in traditional media by investigating operations that violate the "public interest" standard.
"When the American public loses faith in traditional media and broadcast news, the FCC needs to strengthen its enforcement of the public-interest standard," the complaint states.
"The integrity of news broadcasting is crucial for an informed and responsible electorate," the complaint concludes. "NBC, ABC, and CBS have fallen short in their reporting on Mr. Abrego Garcia. Instead of acting with journalistic integrity, they have displayed clear bias on this issue. This misrepresentation of facts is a failure of their responsibilities under the public-interest standard."
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has previously argued that similar arguments for denying broadcast station licenses are unconstitutional under First Amendment grounds and exceed the FCC's legitimate powers. Furthermore, former FCC commissioners have accused the FCC of acting as the White House's personal censor by investigating news organizations critical of the administration.
You can read the full CAR complaint here.
Stay updated with the latest in TV Tech! Sign up for our newsletter to get the hottest industry news, trends, and product information straight to your inbox.
- The Center for American Rights (CAR) has lodged a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) against ABC, NBC, and CBS, alleging "news distortion" in their coverage of the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
- The complaint claims the networks provided "false or misleading information", which CAR argues is a breach of their responsibilities under the public interest standard.
- The complaint centers around the network news divisions but overlooks the fact that the FCC does not license the networks, instead it urges the FCC to investigate operations that violate the "public interest" standard.
- CAR outlines several conditions that might lead the FCC to revoke licenses and presents legal arguments supporting the idea that the regulator could remove a license for "news distortion" and failure to meet the "public interest" standard.
- In the past, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has argued that similar arguments for denying broadcast station licenses are unconstitutional under First Amendment grounds and exceed the FCC's legitimate powers.
- The centers for American Rights (CAR) asserts that when the American public loses faith in traditional media and broadcast news, the FCC needs to strengthen its enforcement of the public-interest standard to maintain the integrity of news broadcasting and ensure a truly informed and responsible electorate.
