FCC Chairman Denies Threatening ABC Licenses Over Jimmy Kimmel's Late-Night Rants

FCC Chairman Denies Threatening ABC Station Licenses Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr has denied threatening to revoke TV licenses from Disney's ABC affiliate if the network refused to suspend late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. However, multiple sources and public statements contradict his claim. During an on-stage interview at the Concordia Summit yesterday, Carr stated that Democrats were "engaged in a campaign of projection and distortion" regarding the FCC's actions. He claimed that no threat was made to revoke Disney's license, despite a letter from Senate Democrats stating otherwise. Carr's comments sparked controversy last week when he said ABC affiliates could have their licenses revoked for "news distortion." In response, Disney suspended Kimmel's show but reinstated it after a short period. The incident has raised concerns about the FCC's role in regulating media content and its potential impact on free speech. Critics argue that Carr's comments were a thinly veiled threat to silence dissenting voices. "I saw there's a letter from some Senate Democrats that said the FCC threatened to revoke the license of Disney and ABC if they didn't fire Jimmy Kimmel, and that did not happen in any way, shape, or form," Carr said during the interview. However, several prominent Senate Republicans also interpreted his comments as a threat. The incident has sparked debate about the limits of government regulation on media content. While some argue that the FCC has a responsibility to ensure accuracy in reporting, others see this as an attempt to silence dissenting voices. In related news, the FCC is currently reviewing its guidelines for regulating media content. The agency has not commented on whether Carr's comments will be included in this review. Background The FCC has long been involved in regulating media content, including TV and radio stations. In recent years, there have been concerns about the agency's role in policing "fake news" and other forms of misinformation. Carr's comments last week were seen as an escalation of these efforts, with many interpreting them as a threat to media outlets that fail to comply with the FCC's guidelines. Additional Perspectives Media watchdog groups have expressed concern about Carr's comments. "This is a clear attempt by the FCC to silence dissenting voices and stifle free speech," said a spokesperson for one such group. Others argue that the FCC has a responsibility to ensure accuracy in reporting. "We need to be careful not to confuse criticism of media outlets with censorship," said a communications expert. Current Status The incident is ongoing, with many calling for greater transparency from the FCC about its guidelines and procedures. The agency has not commented on whether Carr's comments will be included in its review of media regulations. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the role of government regulation in policing media content remains a contentious issue. *Reporting by Arstechnica.*