Overview
- At a House Energy and Commerce oversight hearing, Democrats accused FCC Chair Brendan Carr of blurring regulation with political influence over news organizations.
- Rep. Darren Soto charged that Carr turned the FCC into the president’s “attack dog,” citing threats tied to late-night segments by Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers.
- Carr said broadcast outlets are governed by distinct rules and asserted the FCC’s “obligation to enforce the public interest,” while highlighting a sweeping deregulatory agenda and recent declines in wireless prices.
- Democrats pointed to the Paramount–Skydance approval and a $16 million settlement with the president as evidence of leverage affecting CBS News, including creation of a bias monitor, which Carr denied was politically driven.
- Commissioner Anna Gomez warned that expansive use of the standard risks content regulation and affirmed the 39% national TV cap is set by statute, as lawmakers raised consolidation concerns involving deals such as Nexstar–Tegna.