The beatings will continue until morale improves
Policing the news, DEI may be compromising the FCC’s credibility
Almost every day, we come across a story like this one from a liberal think tank, detailing how press freedom is taking a beating from the current regime—usually noting that Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr (who’s been spotted wearing a gold pin of the president’s bust on his lapel) serves as a willing partner.
The White House yanked the Voice of America off the air two days after a network reporter angered the president. To assist, he brought in another media sparring partner, Kari Lake, who recently announced that “content” from OAN will be provided to the VOA when they return to work. The network was created by Congress, and the federal courts agree that the White House had no authority to pull them off the air.
That made it interesting to see this FCC leak to the New York Post on Friday, saying that the agency’s ‘public interest’ litmus test for merger approvals will be whether those businesses have scrapped their diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
Perhaps the leak is in response to growing rumblings in the conservative ranks. Earlier in the week, the American Enterprise Institute said that the chairman’s actions are eroding the FCC’s credibility.
This FCC Actions Alert is produced by the volunteers at the Community Media Assistance Project. We monitor many sources of information about the Federal Communications Commission, federal communications law, and community developments important to your station and your community. The information provided in this newsletter is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions based on the content herein. If you have a news tip, please email us at betty@c-map.org.
Communications Act of 1934, Sect. 326.
Nothing in this Act shall be understood or construed to give the Commission the power of censorship over the radio communications or signals transmitted by any radio station, and no regulation or condition shall be promulgated or fixed by the Commission which shall interfere with the right of free speech by means of radio communication.