By Lawrence Solomon | Published by American Thinker
Now that Jimmy Kimmel is back, will Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr follow through on his threat to discipline ABC, a move President Trump would welcome?
For the original version of this commentary, see the publisher’s website here.
In Brief by Probe Media
Conservatives universally value free speech, but achieving the First Amendment’s goal of truth requires ABC to remove Kimmel from the air.
FCC chair Brendan Carr’s threat to discipline ABC for Jimmy Kimmel’s controversial comments linking a pro-trans leftist to the “MAGA gang” is a move that some Republicans fear could stifle free speech.
Conservatives agree on the importance of free speech, which the First Amendment aims to protect through open debate. But several Supreme Court rulings, and especially the landmark Red Lion Broadcasting Co. v. FCC (1969), emphasize that broadcasters must avoid distorting public issues. The Court’s unanimous opinion, authored by Justice Byron White, prioritizes viewers’ rights over broadcasters’ privileges.
While the media landscape has evolved, the Big Three broadcasters (CBS, NBC and ABC) still hold significant power, especially in areas with limited news outlets. Kimmel’s statements, made under ABC’s broadcasting license, are seen as a violation of this requirement, prompting Carr to suggest that ABC either self-regulate or face government sanctions.
Conservatives have historically been passive regarding media bias, but if the FCC acts against deliberate misinformation, it is likely to be seen in a positive light.
Lawrence Solomon is executive director of Consumer Policy Institute and a columnist at National Post. Contact: LawrenceSolomon@protonmail.com.