A potential media regulation battle brews as President-elect Donald Trump's FCC chair nominee Brendan Carr discusses his plans for broadcast oversight.
According to Mediaite, Carr indicated during a Fox News appearance that CBS's pending merger could face complications due to complaints about their 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.
The controversy stems from allegations of "deceitful" editing in the Vice President's interview, which has resulted in both a lawsuit and an FCC complaint. This development adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing scrutiny of mainstream media outlets by Trump allies.
Carr's appearance on Fox News' America's Newsroom with Dana Perino revealed his three main priorities for the commission. The nominee emphasized addressing tech censorship, examining approaches to media oversight, and stimulating economic growth through communications policy.
Speaking about the media landscape, Carr referenced Jeff Bezos's recent observations about declining public trust in news organizations. He suggested that significant changes to the status quo, particularly regarding legacy media, would be necessary under his leadership.
The potential FCC chair highlighted the unique position of broadcasters, noting their privileged access to public airwaves comes with specific responsibilities. His comments indicated a more stringent interpretation of these obligations might be forthcoming.
The pending merger between Paramount and Skydance has become entangled with broader concerns about media coverage. Carr specifically mentioned the news distortion complaint regarding the CBS 60 Minutes interview.
During his Fox News appearance, Carr stated:
Broadcasters are differently situated than other speakers. They get free access to a valuable public resource, the airwaves. And they're licensed by the FCC. And the exchange for that is the extra the public interest.
The nominee's comments suggest that the FCC's review of the merger transaction could be influenced by the ongoing dispute over the Harris interview. This represents a potentially significant shift in how media merger reviews might be conducted under the new administration.
Beyond media oversight, Carr outlined ambitious plans for America's communications infrastructure. His agenda includes streamlining permitting processes for space-related ventures and expanding broadband access.
The nominee spoke about his recent visit to South Padre Island, where he observed preparations for a Starship launch. He emphasized the need to reduce bureaucratic delays in the approval process for such projects.
These initiatives align with broader economic goals, including job creation and technological advancement in the communications sector. Carr drew parallels to Trump's first term, suggesting similar policy approaches would be implemented.
Brendan Carr's nomination as FCC chair signals potential significant changes in broadcast media oversight under the incoming Trump administration. The nominee's focus on the CBS-Harris interview controversy and its potential impact on the Paramount-Skydance merger demonstrates a willingness to leverage regulatory authority in response to perceived media bias. As the transition period continues, the broadcasting industry faces uncertainty about how the FCC's new leadership might reshape media regulation.
