Overview

• FCC Chairman Brendan Carr reopened an investigation into CBS, alleging deceptive editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign.
• CBS has released the full transcript and footage, disproving claims of significant distortion, and denies the allegations as baseless editorial interference.
• Several conservative organizations, including Americans for Tax Reform and the Center for Individual Freedom, have called on Carr to drop the investigation, citing fears of regulatory overreach and future misuse against conservative media.
• Critics argue that Carr’s use of the FCC’s rarely enforced 'Broadcast News Distortion' policy represents an abuse of government authority and a threat to press freedom.
• The investigation comes as CBS's parent company, Paramount Global, seeks regulatory approval for its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, adding corporate stakes to the controversy.