Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

FCC chair Brendan Carr is accused of illegally trying to rein in the media by enforcing President Trump's media agenda, prompting a legal watchdog group to investigate ethical obligations. The investigation aims to determine if Carr violated rules. A complaint was filed with bar associations.

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez warns Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro of a 'censorship' campaign by the Trump administration, citing regulatory actions against Disney and ABC as examples. The campaign allegedly began after Disney agreed to pay $15 million in a defamation lawsuit settlement. Gomez encourages Disney to continue supporting press freedom.

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez has accused Disney of being targeted in a censorship campaign. The commissioner made this statement in Washington, D.C. This accusation may have implications for the media and entertainment industry.

ABC has filed a petition against the FCC's probe of 'The View', citing a chilling effect on First Amendment-protected free speech. The network claims 'The View' has been broadcasting under a bona fide news exemption granted over twenty years ago. The FCC's actions may threaten decades of settled law and practice.

Lawyers for ABC accuse the FCC of punishing the network for political reasons, specifically regarding an investigation into The View talk show. The FCC is allegedly taking actions that threaten to upset settled law and practice. The investigation is seen as an attack on protected speech.

ABC accuses the FCC of violating its free speech rights, specifically citing scrutiny from FCC Chair Brendan Carr over broadcast content. The accusation was made in a Friday filing with the FCC. ABC claims the FCC's actions infringe on its First Amendment rights.

Bipartisan lawmakers aim to strip Big Tech's legal immunity, specifically Section 230 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which shields social media companies from lawsuits and criminal charges based on customer-posted content. This move is driven by concerns over free speech, government surveillance, and platform liability. Lawmakers like Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Jay Obernolte have played key roles in shaping internet regulation policy.

California Governor Gavin Newsom criticizes President Donald Trump's response to a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, accusing him of exploiting the incident to attack enemies and suppress free speech. The governor argues that Trump has abandoned his duty to unify the country. Newsom also condemns the FCC's move to fast-track license reviews for ABC-owned stations as retaliation for a joke made by Jimmy Kimmel.

FCC Commissioner Gomez criticized an early license review by ABC, calling it a violation of the First Amendment. The move highlights concerns over regulatory overreach and free speech protections in media licensing decisions.

The FCC has initiated an early review of ABC's broadcast licenses following pressure from President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, who called on ABC to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. The move comes amid an ongoing public dispute between Trump and Kimmel.

Former bipartisan FCC officials are urging a federal appeals court to force a vote on repealing the FCC's News Distortion Policy, which Republican Chair Brendan Carr has used to pressure broadcasters. The petition, filed in November 2025, challenges Carr's invocation of the policy to suspend comedian Jimmy Kimmel on ABC, arguing it was abused.

Paramount's FCC funding application reveals it will be 49.5% foreign-owned after merging with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). The merger, which involves a Middle Eastern entity, requires regulatory approval despite not reaching majority foreign ownership.

Key deadlines in President Trump's executive order to regulate state AI laws were missed, with agencies like the FTC, Commerce Department, and FCC failing to deliver required actions. The delays raise questions about the administration's ability to enforce federal oversight of AI regulation, as agencies struggle to finalize guidance, evaluate state laws, and establish transparency standards.

A federal judge blocked the $6.2 billion merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna due to antitrust concerns, citing potential price hikes for consumers, reduced local journalism, and monopolistic risks. The ruling halts the deal until a lawsuit by eight attorneys general and DirecTV is resolved, despite prior approval by the FCC and DOJ.