Let’s do a wellness check on the First Amendment. All my calls are going to voicemail.
Let me explain.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr took to X this weekend to warn broadcasters that they’d better “correct course” on their Iran war coverage — or risk losing their licenses. His exact words: “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.”
It was a response to a long screed from President Trump complaining about war coverage — making the connection between a “correct course” and Trump’s desires.
On one level, legal experts are right that this is a hollow threat. TV licenses don’t even come up for renewal until 2028. The FCC hasn’t denied a license renewal in decades. Any attempt to pull a station’s license would trigger years of litigation, and any network worth its salt would mount a First Amendment case that would tie the government in knots.
So relax, right? Nothing to see here?
Not so fast.
