Democrat on US FCC urges broadcast industry to be more aggressive confronting the agency
XLC•FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez urged the National Association of Broadcasters to more forcefully challenge Trump administration actions toward US broadcasters, including FCC scrutiny of election coverage and station licenses.
1. Gomez calls for stronger response
Anna Gomez, the sole Democratic member of the Federal Communications Commission, urged the National Association of Broadcasters to take a more aggressive approach to the administration's actions toward major US networks and stations. She said the administration was seeking to reshape media into a “sanctioned messenger” and accused FCC Chair Brendan Carr of pressuring networks over polls he dislikes.
2. Broadcasters cite press protections
NAB President Curtis LeGeyt said the group appreciated Gomez's support for local broadcasters and First Amendment principles, and would continue working with policymakers to protect broadcasters’ rights. Gomez said the NAB had been largely quiet, while pointing to its criticism of an FCC early license review for Disney's eight company-owned ABC stations. The FCC has also said late-night and daytime talk shows no longer qualify as bona fide news programs exempt from equal-time rules for candidate interviews.
