Blumenthal Probes 8 FCC Investigations of Broadcasters Launched Under Carr
Senate Homeland Security Investigations Subcommittee ranking member Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., is pressing the FCC's Enforcement and Media bureaus for information on investigations of broadcasters that commission Chairman Brendan Carr has ordered since taking over Jan. 20. The probes thus far focus on broadcasters that have run content critical of President Donald Trump or otherwise face claims of pro-Democratic Party bias. Carr has, in some cases, said the scrutiny is focused on other matters (see 2502110063).
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“Each of these eight actions single out media broadcasters that faced the wrath of President Trump during his Presidential campaign, including actual litigation or outright threats of investigations in retaliation for perceived negative coverage,” Blumenthal said in a letter to acting Media Bureau Chief Erin Boone and acting Enforcement Bureau Chief Patrick Webre. “This exclusive targeting to the apparent benefit of the President is further reflected in the fact that other media broadcasters, particularly allies of the President, have not faced any similar scrutiny.”
The “new standard that appears to have been set by” Carr means “every newsroom, affiliate group, and broadcaster across the country faces the possibility of burdensome investigations, fines, and even the revocation of licenses for disfavored speech or a change in political winds,” Blumenthal said. “They will pay a price if the targeted newsrooms do not conform to President Trump’s preferred political narratives.” Blumenthal said he wants the FCC to respond by March 26 and in part seeks information about all “complaints or investigations referred to, or opened by, the Media and Enforcement Bureaus into news distortion, equal time, underwriting, non-discrimination, and public interest obligations since” Carr became chairman. The FCC didn't immediately comment.