Newly appointed FCC Chair Brendan Carr has reversed the dismissal of complaints against ABC, NBC, and CBS, alleging bias in their coverage during the 2024 presidential campaign.
The complaints, now back on the FCC’s agenda, include:
- An accusation against NBC for featuring Kamala Harris in a “Saturday Night Live” skit without providing equivalent airtime to Donald Trump.
- A grievance against ABC News for perceived bias during the moderation of a presidential debate between Trump and Harris.
- A claim against CBS for editing an interview answer with Harris on “60 Minutes,” suggesting manipulation to favor her.
These were among four complaints initially dismissed by Rosenworcel, who cited First Amendment protections. However, Carr decided to revisit these issues, signaling a potential shift in regulatory approach towards media content.
Daniel Suhr of the Center for American Rights, which lodged the complaints, views this as a step towards ensuring media accountability according to a report from the LA Times. His organization had also criticized CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, over its merger with Skydance Media, particularly due to Skydance’s business ties with Tencent, a Chinese tech firm, which has raised concerns among some legislators.
The decision to reopen these complaints could have broader implications for media operations, potentially affecting how networks approach political coverage in light of regulatory oversight. However, industry analysts, including Blair Levin from New Street Research, suggest that while the complaints have been reinstated, the likelihood of actual license revocation remains slim due to historical precedents and legal protections.
The FCC’s next steps involve further investigation by its enforcement bureau, with any final decisions requiring a vote by the full commission. This situation illustrates ongoing tensions between regulatory bodies and media freedom, especially during politically charged times, and how these dynamics might evolve under new leadership.