“Jimmy Kimmel's decision to keep his interview with a Senate candidate off the air shows just how far this Administration's campaign of censorship and control has gone. There is no way to know how many other editorial decisions across the country have quietly been shaped by this same pressure. No host, local affiliate, or network should have to weigh federal retaliation before booking a guest for a newsworthy interview. Any attempt to pressure broadcasters into self-censorship undermines both press freedom and the public's right to hear from candidates in their communities seeking public office.
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AG
Anna Gomez
Democrat
Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission
The only Democrat on the Federal Communications Commission, and a frequent public dissenter from Chairman Brendan Carr's actions against broadcasters.
Statements (4)
“As I've said many times, the FCC has no authority to punish journalists this administration doesn't like. These threats to press freedom are dangerous. They undermine the foundation of our democracy, and they have no place in it.
“For months, the FCC has waged a campaign of censorship and control against Disney's ABC stations, using the threat of broadcast license revocations to punish a company for speech this administration doesn't like.
“I have long called on companies to push back against this kind of government intimidation, and I'm glad Disney has shown courage and stepped up. This should be a welcome sign for every broadcaster who has felt the weight of this overreaching government pressure in silence.