FCC chair warns media not to run the "fake polls" Trump keeps complaining about
Ex-FCC chairs say Brendan Carr aims to scare broadcasters into self-censorship.
Ex-FCC chairs say Brendan Carr aims to scare broadcasters into self-censorship.
The short version
- Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr today warned broadcasters about airing “fake polls,” amplifying one of the many complaints that President Trump has regularly made about the news media.
- News outlets have reported on these hoaxes, providing the very “context” that Carr said is needed.
- Carr’s post did not mention any specific fake polls or any specific broadcasters that aired them.
What happened
The vagueness of Carr’s post may be useful for his and Trump’s ongoing battle against the news media. Former Republican and Democratic FCC chairs and commissioners recently said Carr is seeking to censor and chill the speech of broadcasters through a proceeding that threatens the licenses of ABC-owned stations .
Why it matters
Today’s statement was attributed to former Chairman Tom Wheeler, a Democrat; former Chairman Mark Fowler, a Republican; and seven former high-ranking FCC officials.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Ars Technica via the links above and below.