Target: Brendan Carr, Chair of Federal Communications Commission
Goal: Do not threaten retaliation against media outlets over news coverage.
In early 2026, journalist Don Lemon – along with dozens of protesters – was arrested for demonstrations that took place inside a church. The church hosted a pastor who also reportedly served as an official of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The arrests, which were harshly criticized by First Amendment freedom of speech advocates, drew particular attention because a reporter who was merely covering the protests was seemingly directly targeted for punishment by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Fast-forward several weeks, and an even more insidious threat on the freedom of the press emerged. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr took issue with American media’s coverage of the Iran conflict. As news reports questioning various aspects of the war – and the federal government’s shifting justifications for the war – have emerged, allies of the president (including Carr) have blasted the coverage for somehow not being “patriotic” enough. In a post on the social media platform X, Carr leveled a not-so-veiled threat at media outlets: “Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions — also known as the fake news — have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up.”
The threats are nothing new, as Carr has launched similar attacks against specific news programs, personalities, and even entire networks, usually at the president’s behest. As a recent example, the president – following a reporter’s question about Jeffrey Epstein – dodged the question and instead stated, “I think the license should be taken away from ABC because your news is so fake and so wrong. And we have a great commissioner, a chairman, who should take a look at that.” The “great commissioner” being referenced was Carr. Even traditional supporters such as conservator commentator Tucker Carlson are not immune from threats, as Carlson alleged the DOJ has been instructed to build a criminal case against him (for talking to individuals in Iran) following his criticism of the Iran conflict.
While the FCC has limited power in yanking licenses from major organizations, it does wield influence over local news outlets, on granting or transferring licenses to big organizations, and on approving media mergers. Sign the petition below to help ensure the FCC does not abuse its power to diminish a free media of and for the people.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Commissioner Carr,
The very first amendment of the United States Constitution enshrines freedom of speech and – by extension – freedom of the press as benchmark values for the American experiment. The Communications Act of 1934 set forth the core mission of the FCC: “to make available so far as possible, to all the people of the United States, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex, rapid, efficient, nationwide, and world-wide wire and radio communication services with adequate facilities at reasonable charges.” In other words, the FCC is to support and uphold the First Amendment…not to undermine it because the organization or its allies view the news as unfavorable.
Silencing reporters who have a duty and obligation to question and to present alternative viewpoints is the trade of dictatorships, not democracies. Pressuring these entities to promote only “patriotic propaganda” is a favored tool of authoritarians. Stop the theatrics, end the threats, and start doing the job that this independent agency demands and desperately needs.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Pixabay
