FCC Reinstates Complaints Against ABC, CBS, and NBC Over Debate Moderation and Kamala Harris Appearance
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has reinstated complaints against ABC, CBS, and NBC over their handling of the pre-election TV debate between US President Joe Biden and Republican rival Donald Trump, as well as the appearance of Vice President Kamala Harris on CBS’ “60 Minutes” and NBC’s “Saturday Night Live”.
The complaints were initially dismissed by the FCC’s then-Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, who said that they “seek to weaponize the licensing authority of the FCC in a way that is fundamentally at odds with the First Amendment”. However, the FCC has now revised its decision, stating that the complaints were dismissed “prematurely based on an insufficient investigatory record”.
The complaints name specific stations of the three broadcasters, but the networks have not immediately commented. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, who was designated by President Trump, said that he would focus on “taking a look at media and making sure they live up to their public interest obligation”.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, said that “we cannot allow our licensing authority to be weaponized to curtail freedom of the press. The First Amendment is a pillar of American democracy, and our country needs a press free from interference from regulators like me.”
This decision comes after President Trump has previously urged the FCC to take action against ABC and NBC, citing the network’s moderation of the presidential debate and Harris’ appearance on “60 Minutes”. Trump also filed a lawsuit against CBS over the “60 Minutes” interview with Harris, which he called “misleading”.
