Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has dismissed calls from former President Donald Trump to revoke CBS's broadcast license, asserting that such actions would be a violation of First Amendment rights.
Rosenworcel emphasized that the FCC will not revoke licenses based on disagreements over content, regardless of the case made by Trump, as Just the News reports.
The controversy arose after Trump accused CBS of editing Vice President Kamala Harris’s responses during a 60 Minutes interview. He claimed that the network altered her answers to make Harris appear more favorable to viewers, calling the situation a "giant Fake News Scam." Trump voiced his frustration on the social media platform Truth Social, accusing the network of participating in a media conspiracy to deceive the public. He suggested that CBS should lose its license and that it should be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
In response to Trump’s allegations, Rosenworcel made it clear that the federal agency she leads would not take any punitive measures against CBS. "The federal agency does not and will not revoke licenses for broadcast stations simply because a political candidate disagrees with or dislikes content or coverage," Rosenworcel said in a public statement.
Rosenworcel reiterated that the FCC’s role is not to intervene in content disputes, even if such disputes involve prominent political figures. She stressed that protecting free speech, particularly in media, is at the core of the FCC's mission, and taking actions like revoking a network's license would undermine these principles.
Trump, however, has continued to push the narrative that CBS's alleged editing of the interview with Harris was part of a larger agenda by the mainstream media to control public perception. He has described these actions as a serious threat to free speech and further emphasized his belief that major media outlets are compromised by political bias.
In his Truth Social posts, Trump claimed that 60 Minutes had replaced Harris’s original answers with another version, accusing the program of engaging in fraudulent behavior. He referred to CBS’s handling of the interview as “the Greatest Fraud in Broadcast History,” stating that the network should be penalized for its actions.
Trump’s calls for CBS to lose its license come after a string of critiques he has leveled against various media outlets throughout his political career. The former president has frequently used his platform to criticize what he describes as "fake news" and biased reporting, arguing that the mainstream media is aligned against him and his supporters.
Despite these accusations, Rosenworcel stood firm, reaffirming that the FCC would not be drawn into political conflicts. She noted that previous attacks on media outlets by Trump were becoming increasingly familiar but stressed that they should still be taken seriously. "While repeated attacks against broadcast stations by the former President may now be familiar, these threats against free speech are serious and should not be ignored," she stated.
Rosenworcel has long been a vocal advocate for preserving the independence of the media and ensuring that the FCC operates without political interference. Her comments regarding Trump’s allegations were not the first time she has defended the media’s right to free speech, nor the first instance in which she referenced the First Amendment as a foundation of democratic society." As I’ve said before, the First Amendment is a cornerstone of our democracy," Rosenworcel said, underscoring her commitment to ensuring that media outlets remain free to report without fear of government retaliation.
The issue has reignited a debate over the role of media in politics and the extent to which political figures can exert influence over broadcasting decisions. For Rosenworcel, however, the line remains clear: political disagreements over content do not justify government action against broadcasters.
Trump's supporters have largely echoed his criticisms of CBS, with some calling for further investigations into the network's practices. However, legal experts have pointed out that it would be extremely unlikely for the FCC to revoke a broadcast license under these circumstances, as doing so would raise significant constitutional questions.
In her statements, Rosenworcel appeared resolute in her defense of the FCC's independence, rejecting any suggestion that the agency would bend to political pressure.As the debate continues, it is likely that Trump will maintain his critique of CBS and other media outlets. However, Rosenworcel’s response suggests that, at least for now, the FCC remains committed to its principles and to safeguarding the rights enshrined in the First Amendment.
