Cinema VinesOn Friday, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr defended the agency’s recent actions against ABC, asserting that broadcasters are obligated to serve the public interest. In a Fox Business Network interview, Carr told anchor Maria Bartiromo that ABC, like other broadcasters, has “subsidized access” to the airwaves—a public resource worth billions—and must reciprocate by operating in the public interest. He warned that the country needs a “trusted, respected news media” and urged more broadcasters to return to those obligations.
The remarks came after ABC filed a formal objection to the FCC’s early review of eight of its local broadcast licenses, a review that began in April. ABC’s filing alleged that the Commission was targeting the stations because of the network’s political content, and that the Administration had repeatedly called for revocation of the licenses. ABC said the retaliation would send a warning to all media companies: adapt to the Administration’s view of news coverage or face consequences.
ABC also cited the FCC’s attempts to impose equal‑time rules on its long‑running talk show “The View,” which hosts and guests have frequently angered President Donald Trump. The FCC had previously exempted the program in a 2002 decision, but Carr’s recent actions have reignited the dispute. The network has also been involved in a separate conflict over late‑night host Jimmy Kimmel, whose joke about Trump prompted the FCC’s early review of ABC’s licenses.
During the interview, Carr mentioned diversity, equity and inclusion practices at ABC as part of the agency’s concerns. He emphasized that operating in the public interest means broadcasters cannot “run news distortions, broadcast hoax.” The FCC’s actions, he said, aim to restore the standard of public service broadcasting that he believes has eroded.
