{"id":2536569,"date":"2026-01-14T14:35:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T19:35:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/brendan-carr-faces-democratic-fire-over-fcc-and-media-power\/"},"modified":"2026-01-14T14:45:49","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T19:45:49","slug":"brendan-carr-faces-democratic-fire-over-fcc-and-media-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/brendan-carr-faces-democratic-fire-over-fcc-and-media-power\/","title":{"rendered":"Brendan Carr faces Democratic fire over FCC and media power"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbrendan-carr-faces-democratic-fire-over-fcc-and-media-power%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2536569&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>At a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing,FCC Chairman Brendan Carr defended teh agency&#8217;s use of its &#8220;public interest&#8221; authority amid Democratic accusations that the commission has pressured news organizations and blurred the line between regulation and political intimidation. Democrats cited Carr&#8217;s comments about scrutinizing ABC affiliates after Jimmy Kimmel segments and raised concerns that merger approvals &#8211; notably the Paramount-Skydance review tied to CBS\/Paramount and the nexstar-Tegna proposed deal &#8211; were leveraged to influence newsroom decisions, pointing to the pulling of a 60 Minutes segment as an example.<\/p>\n<p>Carr argued broadcasters operate under a distinct legal framework and said the FCC must enforce public-interest obligations; he denied political considerations influenced merger reviews. Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez warned that applying the standard too broadly risks content regulation, and members like Rep. Doris Matsui and Rep. Kathy Castor described the FCC&#8217;s actions as censorship by intimidation or tantamount to a &#8220;bribe&#8221; when approval followed settlement agreements.<\/p>\n<p>The hearing also revisited ownership limits and concerns about consolidation&#8217;s impact on local journalism. Gomez noted the 39% national TV ownership cap is statutory and not waivable; Democrats warned that relaxing caps would concentrate media power and harm local news. Republicans and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fcc-chairman-defends-free-speech-rights-after-kirk-assassination\/\" title=\"... chairman defends free speech rights after Kirk assassination\">carr defended<\/a> the FCC&#8217;s deregulatory agenda, highlighting steps to expand spectrum, lower wireless prices (Carr cited declines since early 2025), and remove outdated rules to help broadcasters compete with national and digital platforms.<\/p>\n<p>Overall the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >session exposed sharp partisan divides<\/a>: Democrats accused the FCC of overreach into editorial matters and failing to uphold constitutional protections, while Republicans and Carr emphasized modernization, consumer benefits from increased spectrum access, and efforts to re-empower local broadcasters.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Brendan Carr says FCC has &lsquo;obligation to enforce the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/schoolhouse-rock-forgot-to-teach-kids-about-the-admin-state\/\" title=\"...Schoolhouse Rock... Forgot To Teach Kids About The Admin State\">public interest&#038;rsquo<\/a>; as he is grilled over media and mergers<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2472839\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/federal-communications-commission\/\">Federal Communications Commission<\/a> Chairman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/3814515\/who-is-fcc-chairman-brendan-carr-kimmel-suspended\/\">Brendan Carr <\/a>sparred with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democrats\/\">Democrats <\/a>at a House oversight hearing on Wednesday over claims that the agency has pressured news organizations and blurred the line between media regulation and political influence.<\/p>\n<p>The hearing before the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/energycommerce.house.gov\/\">House Energy and Commerce Committee<\/a> quickly turned into a broader fight over media consolidation, newsroom independence, and how far the FCC can go when enforcing its public interest authority. Lawmakers repeatedly returned to flashpoints involving late-night comedy, network news coverage, and high-profile merger approvals.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4418307\/iranian-protests-testing-tehran-grip-power\/\">Iranian protests testing Tehran&#8217;s grip on power unlike previous rounds<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4418805\/democratic-witness-refuses-men-pregnant-hearing-abortion\/\">Democratic witness refuses to say if men can get pregnant at hearing on abortion<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4418570\/democrats-worry-trump-no-plan-venezuela\/\">Democrats worry Trump has &#8216;no plan&#8217; for next steps in Venezuela during heated informal House hearing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Ranking member Doris Matsui (D-CA) cited Carr&rsquo;s public statements suggesting ABC affiliates could face license scrutiny after <em>Jimmy Kimmel Live! <\/em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/3823716\/jimmy-kimmel-crackup-late-night-reckoning\/\">aired segments critical <\/a>of President Donald Trump, arguing that the FCC crossed from oversight into intimidation.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t have speech police in America,&rdquo; Matsui said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s censorship by intimidation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Carr pushed back, saying broadcasters operate under a distinct legal framework and that courts have long upheld the FCC&rsquo;s authority to enforce public interest obligations tied to broadcast licenses.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The FCC has an obligation to enforce the public interest,&rdquo; Carr said, emphasizing that broadcast television is regulated differently than cable networks or digital platforms.<\/p>\n<p>FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democratic appointee, warned that the standard is being applied too broadly and risks sliding into content regulation.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;When the government&rsquo;s media regulator claims the power to judge content or police bias, we move away from oversight and toward censorship,&rdquo; Gomez said.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats also focused on Carr&rsquo;s handling of the FCC&rsquo;s approval of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/3898732\/paramount-skydance-ok-rush-hour-4-trump-asked\/\">Paramount-Skydance merger<\/a>, arguing it illustrated how regulatory leverage can spill into newsroom decisions at CBS News. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) said the commission delayed approval until after Paramount settled a lawsuit brought by Trump and agreed to editorial concessions.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;After months of regulatory delay, the FCC approved the acquisition just days after Paramount agreed to pay $16 million to settle the president&rsquo;s meritless lawsuit,&rdquo; Castor said, calling the sequence &ldquo;a bribe by any other name.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Castor said the approval came with promises of free advertising and changes to editorial oversight, pointing to the subsequent pulling of a <em>60 Minutes<\/em> segment on alleged abuses at an El Salvador prison as evidence of newsroom pressure.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The consequences of these concessions were on full display,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;This was rubber-stamped by Chairman Carr.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Carr denied that political considerations influenced merger reviews, saying transactions are evaluated under long-standing public interest criteria.<\/p>\n<p>The hearing also reopened debate over broadcast ownership limits, with Democrats warning that relaxing caps would further erode local journalism and concentrate media power. Matsui and other Democrats pointed to the proposed <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/3906164\/nexstar-tegna-local-tv-merger-trump-affordability\/\">Nexstar Media Group acquisition of Tegna<\/a>, which they said would give one company reach into roughly 80% of U.S. households and consolidate control of multiple stations in some local markets.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;That should raise red flags for anyone who believes in protecting local news and competition,&rdquo; Matsui said.<\/p>\n<p>Gomez said the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/over-20-conservative-groups-sign-letter-calling-on-fcc-to-update-antiquated-and-harmful-restrictions-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Over 20 conservative groups sign letter calling on ... to update \u2018antiquated and harmful\u2019 restrictions - Washington Examiner\">39% national television ownership cap<\/a> is written into statute and cannot be waived by the FCC.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think we have the authority to waive it,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Consolidation risks watering down local news and reducing service to communities.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Carr said the commission is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-a-massive-tv-merger-could-raise-bills-and-test-trump\/\" title=\"How a massive TV merger could raise bills and test Trump\">reviewing ownership rules<\/a> as part of a broader effort to help local broadcasters survive in a marketplace dominated by national programmers and digital platforms.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The balance between national programmers and local stations has been lost,&rdquo; Carr said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re trying to re-empower local broadcasters to compete.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Republicans pushed back on the criticism, defending Carr&rsquo;s record and arguing that the FCC has focused on lowering costs, expanding access, and modernizing outdated rules rather than policing speech.<\/p>\n<p>Subcommittee Chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC) said the commission&rsquo;s deregulatory agenda has helped expand spectrum access and improve wireless reliability, particularly in rural areas.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Under Chairman Carr, the FCC has taken significant steps to modernize outdated regulatory regimes and remove barriers to broadband deployment,&rdquo; Hudson said, pointing to new spectrum auctions and reforms aimed at strengthening wireless networks.<\/p>\n<p>House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) echoed that view, arguing that expanding available spectrum is already benefiting consumers.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;When you introduce new spectrum into the market, prices go down,&rdquo; Guthrie said, citing FCC data showing wireless prices have declined over the past year.<\/p>\n<p>Carr also leaned on that data in his testimony, saying wireless plan prices are down more than 4% since early 2025 and more than 7% from Biden-era highs, which he attributed in part to increased spectrum availability and deregulation.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The FCC is now pushing the largest deregulatory effort in the agency&rsquo;s history,&rdquo; Carr said, pointing to the removal of more than 1,000 rules and changes he said are helping drive down costs while expanding access.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/3906164\/nexstar-tegna-local-tv-merger-trump-affordability\/\"><strong>HOW ONE OF THE BIGGEST LOCAL TV MERGERS COULD BLOW A HOLE IN TRUMP&rsquo;S AFFORDABILITY PUSH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Democrats countered that those gains do not justify what they see as the FCC&rsquo;s growing role in media disputes and editorial matters.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;What Americans deserve is an FCC that upholds constitutional rights and acts in the public interest,&rdquo; said Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), the committee&rsquo;s top Democrat. &ldquo;Right now, that&rsquo;s not what we&rsquo;re seeing.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FCC chair defends public-interest role amid grilling<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2657,"featured_media":2536570,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26014647066780.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[45194,3685,16609,68349,50905],"class_list":["post-2536569","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-brendan-carr","tag-democrats","tag-fcc","tag-media-consolidation","tag-regulatory-oversight"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26014647066780.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2536569","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2657"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2536569"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2536569\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2536581,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2536569\/revisions\/2536581"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2536570"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2536569"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2536569"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2536569"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}