Federal Democrats Initiate FCC Inquiry, Accuse Agency of Attempting to "Suppress Media Journalists"
TAKING AIM AT THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATED COMMISSION (FCC): Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are probing FCC Chair Brendan Carr over allegations of assaulting First Amendment rights and misusing the independent agency's power.
In a scathing letter, three Democrats slammed Carr for supposedly illegally focusing on broadcast networks and media companies perceived as offering unfavorable news coverage of the Trump Administration. They accused him of squandering crucial resources on unwarranted investigations and questioned his commitment to the FCC's autonomy, given his frequent outings with the President to Mar-a-Lago and his targeting of entities that have drawn the President's ire.
The missive arrives as ongoing FCC investigations into so-called "news distortion" by networks like CBS, ABC, and NBC have drawn fire from former FCC chairs and commissioners, among other critics. For more TV Tech news on these issues and others facing the FCC, click here.
The March 31 letter to Carr stated that he's launched specious investigations into entities displeasing President Trump, Elon Musk, and the Republican Party, designed to silence journalists and sacrifice press freedom. Despite the lack of legal grounds and evidence, these pursuits are intended to harass and penalize broadcasters and other media companies with massive reputational damage and exorbitant legal costs, the letter argued.
"Moreover, some of your actions echo a private lawsuit in which President Trump, in his personal capacity, seeks extensive monetary compensation from the same entities you are targeting," the letter complained. "This is a blatant effort to apply additional pressure in Trump's settlement negotiations and encourage payoffs in a bogus lawsuit in exchange for favorable regulatory outcomes."
The letter was signed by Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Communications and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Doris Matsui (D-CA), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY).
"We write to express deep concern over your actions to target and intimidate news organizations and broadcasters in violation of the First Amendment," the letter stated. "These troubling actions assault the Constitutionally protected freedom of the press and violate the FCC's statutory prohibition against censorship. Moreover, directing FCC staff to devote time and resources to bogus investigations constitutes a violation of the law, gross mismanagement, extreme waste of funds, and an abuse of authority. Therefore, we are also sharing a copy of this letter with the FCC's Office of Inspector General and are recommending that it open an investigation."
TRIO OF CONCERNS
The Democrats were particularly troubled by the FCC's harassment of CBS over routine editing practices, the reinstatement of complaints against ABC and NBC that had been legally denied, a false investigation into KCBS-AM in San Jose for simply reporting factual information, and investigations into NPR and PBS.
By April 14, the Democrats requested the following information:
- All communications between Carr and current White House officials and other Trump Administration officials related to investigations of specific media outlets.
- All communications between Carr and third parties concerning investigations of these or other media entities.
- An accounting of the staff time Carr has assigned to the investigations listed in the letter and an estimation of the costs associated with said time.
- All records of travel with the President on government aircraft and visits to the President's private residence in Florida for meetings with the President or other White House officials.
The full text of the letter can be found here.
- The Democrats' letter to FCC Chair Brendan Carr alleged that he targeted media companies with perceived unfavorable news coverage of the Trump Administration, focusing on broadcasters like CBS, ABC, and NBC.
- The investors accused Carr of squandering the FCC's resources on unwarranted investigations, such as the false investigation into KCBS-AM in San Jose and the reinstatement of complaints against NBC and ABC that had been legally denied.
- The Democrats also raised concerns over investigations into entities like NPR and PBS, expressing worry about broad harassment of news organizations and broadcasters.
- In the letter, the Democrats questioned Carr's commitment to press freedom, as some of his actions seemed to echo President Trump's personal lawsuit against entities he is targeting, potentially applying pressure in settlement negotiations.
- By April 14, the Democrats requested information from Carr regarding communications with White House and Trump Administration officials, communications with third parties, staff time and costs associated with the investigations, and records of travel with the President.
