President-elect Trump has selected FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr to head the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), sending shockwaves through mainstream media and signaling a potential shake-up in how the media industry operates. Carr, a vocal critic of partisan media influence and tech censorship, has long been seen as a staunch advocate for free speech and media reform. His appointment as FCC Chairman has left many left-leaning outlets on edge, fearing a rollback of policies that have favored dominant media narratives.
In a Truth Social post on Sunday night, Trump announced the appointment with enthusiasm. “I am pleased to announce that Commissioner Brendan Carr will be Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC),” Trump wrote. “Commissioner Carr currently serves as the senior Republican on the FCC. Before that, he was the FCC’s General Counsel. His current term runs through 2029 and, because of his great work, I will now be designating him as permanent Chairman.”
The move marks a significant shift for the FCC, as Carr is known for his outspoken stance against what he describes as a “censorship cartel” within tech and media companies. He has been vocal about what he sees as coordinated efforts by major outlets to influence elections and manipulate public opinion. Carr’s appointment is expected to lead to increased scrutiny of media practices, especially those involving editorial manipulation and potential election interference.
Carr recently made headlines after calling for an investigation into CBS News, following allegations that the network deceptively edited an interview with Kamala Harris for *60 Minutes*. The controversy erupted when two separate broadcasts aired different answers from Harris to the same question about Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Carr publicly demanded answers, raising concerns about the integrity of the broadcast and its potential impact on viewers.
In an op-ed, current FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington noted that while the FCC typically does not respond to editorial discretion, the CBS incident raised questions about intentional distortion. “The recent complaint regarding WCBS-TV raises a different set of issues,” Simington wrote, emphasizing that the issue wasn’t about bias but about potential manipulation of interview content.
Carr’s appointment comes with potential implications for media regulation. Sources indicate that a Republican-led FCC under Carr’s leadership could impose stricter requirements during the license renewal process for broadcasters like CBS. One proposed measure would be mandating the release of full transcripts for controversial interviews like the one on 60 Minutes.
Carr’s nomination has rattled figures in the mainstream media, including CNN’s Brian Stelter, who expressed concern over Carr’s strong stance against censorship. Carr has been particularly critical of organizations like NewsGuard, which he claims work to demonetize and silence conservative voices. “Facebook, Google, Apple, Microsoft & others have played central roles in the censorship cartel,” Carr posted on X. “The Orwellian named NewsGuard along with ‘fact-checking’ groups & ad agencies helped enforce one-sided narratives. The censorship cartel must be dismantled.”
This is what Trump’s pick for FCC chair, Brendan Carr, was doing a couple of days ago: https://t.co/vnTYvhC84u
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 18, 2024
How the incoming FCC chair is describing his mission: https://t.co/meh7ksiZNu
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 18, 2024
Carr’s vision for the FCC aligns with Trump’s broader agenda of fighting what he sees as media bias and censorship. As he prepares to take the helm, Carr’s leadership could mark a significant departure from the FCC’s previous direction, paving the way for a more confrontational approach toward media giants and a focus on restoring what he calls “balance and fairness” in the media landscape. For Trump supporters, the appointment is a welcome sign of change. For mainstream media outlets, it’s a clear warning shot.
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