Fri, 19 Sep 2025

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 Brendan Carr's emboldened FCC takes on Trump's media foes

But it is unclear to what extent media companies might push back - at the potential expense of their bottom line.
ABC has indefinitely suspended comedian Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show after comments he made following Charlie Kirk's murder were deemed insensitive by some viewers. This move comes as part of a larger trend where media companies have faced pressure from the Trump administration to alter their content and tone. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr has been at the forefront of this effort, advocating for greater regulation of broadcast content. He has sent letters to tech companies demanding information on how they rank news stories, accusing them of being part of a "censorship cartel". This move has sparked concerns about the limits of free speech and the potential for censorship in the media industry. Some critics argue that the Trump administration's actions are an attempt to silence liberal voices and impose its own ideological views on the media. ABC's decision to suspend Kimmel's show has reignited debates about the balance between freedom of expression and government regulation of content. Other media companies, including Paramount, have faced similar pressure in recent months, with some being forced to cancel shows or make changes to their editorial policies. The situation has raised questions about whether media companies are willing to compromise their values and independence in order to avoid facing consequences from the Trump administration.
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