FCC Warns TV Broadcasters: Provide Equal Time to Opposing Political Candidates
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a warning to TV broadcasters, reminding them that they must provide equal time to opposing political candidates on daytime talk shows and late-night programs. This move comes after President Trump has long argued that these types of shows are politically biased, leading to calls for the FCC to revoke broadcasters’ licenses.
The FCC’s announcement is based on a decades-old federal law that requires any FCC-licensed broadcaster that allows a political candidate to appear on its airwaves to also offer “equal opportunities” to all other candidates running for the same office. However, the law exempts “bona fide newscasts” and news interviews from the equal time rule. In 2006, the FCC ruled that an interview on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” was exempt from the equal time rule, as it was considered a news interview.
Case-by-Case Basis
However, in a recent four-page notice, the FCC stated that it is “not the case” that all late-night and daytime entertainment shows are exempt from the equal time rule. The regulator said it decides whether the exemption applies on a case-by-case basis and that it “has not been presented with any evidence” that interviews on these shows qualify for the news exemption. FCC Chair Brendan Carr, a Trump ally, wrote on social media that the FCC is reminding broadcasters of their obligation to provide all candidates with equal opportunities.
The FCC did not specifically call out any shows by name, but President Trump reposted a news headline on social media that said the FCC is taking “aim” at two ABC shows that have long drawn his ire — “The View” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Carr shared a screenshot of Trump’s post on social media. ABC did not respond to a request for comment, while NBC and CBS declined to comment.
Democratic Commissioner Criticizes the Move
Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez sharply criticized the FCC’s announcement, calling it “an escalation in this FCC’s ongoing campaign to censor and control speech.” She argued that the notice was “misleading” since the FCC hasn’t formally changed any of its rules, a process that typically involves a public comment period and a vote by the commissioners. Gomez stated that broadcasters should not feel pressured to water down or avoid critical coverage out of fear of regulatory retaliation.
President Trump has feuded with critical talk show hosts for years, celebrating the end of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and hailing ABC’s decision to temporarily preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following comments Kimmel made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Trump has also publicly called on NBC to fire late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers.
The issue has drawn the attention of Carr, who has regularly pointed to laws requiring broadcasters to operate in the “public interest.” Hours before ABC temporarily took Kimmel off the air, Carr publicly urged the Disney-owned TV network to “take action” in response to the comedian’s remarks, saying that “there are avenues here for the FCC.” Those comments drew bipartisan criticism, with Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas arguing that Carr overstepped and could set a bad precedent the next time there’s a Democratic president.
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