New FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is poised to reinstate complaints against major news networks for alleged bias during the 2024 election cycle, reversing his predecessor’s decision to drop the claims.
Key Facts:
• Outgoing Chair Jessica Rosenworcel dismissed four pending petitions against ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX News.
• The complaints involve accusations of deceptive coverage favorable to Vice President Kamala Harris.
• Carr will restore the cases for ABC, NBC, and CBS but not for FOX.
• The move allows a legal review of whether these networks violated broadcasting standards.
• The FCC under Carr also plans to discontinue promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) measures.
The Rest of The Story:
Rosenworcel had argued that pulling the plug on these complaints would preserve press freedom.
Her decision occurred in the final days of her tenure.
Carr’s reinstatement means the petitions from groups like the Center of American Rights can be reviewed on their merits, potentially leading to an FCC decision about each network’s practices.
According to those petitions, the networks artificially enhanced Harris’s public image.
Complaints accuse them of editing her interviews and offering her an unfair advantage in debates.
By bringing these cases back to life, the new FCC leadership suggests it will look more closely at whether broadcasters adhere to their obligations for accurate and balanced coverage.
In a statement, Carr also announced the end of DEI initiatives at the FCC.
He says the agency will instead focus on carrying out the responsibilities outlined in the Communications Act.
He says these DEI programs often lead to unfair or wasteful activities and can overlook equal treatment under the law.
BREAKING NEWS: New FCC chair Brendan Carr has reversed the dismissal of complaints against ABC, NBC, and CBS regarding unfair media coverage of President Donald Trump. @alana_austin pic.twitter.com/h6usk971we
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) January 22, 2025
Commentary:
This is very good news for people who believe the networks engaged in election interference.
They should face the consequences if proven guilty of manipulating political coverage.
The prior administration’s decision to dismiss these cases was wrong, and Carr’s choice to reopen them is a step in the right direction.
The Bottom Line:
Reinstating these complaints underscores the new FCC chairman’s commitment to tighter oversight of broadcast networks.
Carr’s decision signals a shift away from policy goals focused on DEI.
The move redirects attention to whether the media meets existing legal standards.
The move could reshape how networks cover political figures, especially if any outlets are found to have slanted their content.
Read Next
Elected Officials Resisting Deportation Just Got The Worst Possible News
Trump’s FBI Overhaul Begins as Acting Director Puts Agents On Notice
GOP Senators Sends a Warning Letter to The Smithsonian Over March For Life Demonstrators