FCC chairman defends actions against ABC, says broadcasters must operate 'in the public interest'
- FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated that broadcasters have a duty to operate in the public interest.
- Carr emphasized that broadcasters receive subsidized access to airwaves in exchange for this obligation.
- ABC accused the FCC of retaliating against it for the political content of its shows.
- The FCC is reviewing eight ABC local broadcast licenses ahead of their expiration.
- ABC reported that over 95% of public comments on the issue supported its position.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr on Friday defended his agency’s recent actions against ABC, saying broadcasters have a duty to "operate in the public interest" and the FCC is merely trying to restore that standard.
Carr stated in an interview that broadcasters like ABC have struck a deal with the American people for subsidized access to valuable public resources, and in return, they must operate in the public interest.
The remarks followed ABC's accusations against the FCC of attempting to chill its constitutionally protected free speech due to the political content of its programming. ABC claimed the FCC's actions were retaliatory and aimed at suppressing media outlets.
ABC is currently contesting the FCC's review of its local broadcast licenses, arguing that the agency is targeting them because of the political viewpoints expressed in their shows. They noted that the public comment period saw an unprecedented outpouring of support for their position, with over 95% of comments being favorable.
FCC主席为针对ABC的行动辩护，称广播公司必须“以公众利益为重”
FCC主席Brendan Carr在周五为其机构最近针对ABC的行动辩护，称广播公司有责任“以公众利益为重”，FCC只是试图恢复这一标准。
Carr在一次采访中表示，像ABC这样的广播公司与美国人民达成了协议，获得补贴的公共资源使用权，因此必须以公众利益为重。
这一言论是在ABC指责FCC试图通过政治内容对其进行报复，进而抑制其宪法保护的言论自由之后发表的。ABC声称FCC的行动是报复性的，旨在压制媒体机构。
ABC目前正在对FCC对其地方广播许可证的审查提出异议，认为该机构是因为他们节目中表达的政治观点而针对他们。他们指出，公众评论期间对其立场的支持前所未有，超过95%的评论是支持的。