FCC chairman defends actions against ABC, says broadcasters must operate 'in the public interest'
- FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated that broadcasters like ABC have a duty to operate in the public interest.
- Carr emphasized that broadcasters receive free access to airwaves in exchange for serving the public.
- ABC accused the FCC of retaliating against it for its political content and attempting to chill free speech.
- The FCC is reviewing eight ABC local broadcast licenses, which ABC claims is politically motivated.
- ABC reported that over 140,000 comments from viewers supported its position during the license renewal process.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr defended the agency's recent actions against ABC, asserting that broadcasters must operate in the public interest. In an interview, Carr highlighted that broadcasters like ABC have a deal with the American people, receiving free access to valuable public resources in exchange for fulfilling their public interest obligations.
Carr expressed concern about the current state of trusted news media in the country, stating that it is lacking. He urged broadcasters to return to their responsibilities to the public.
The remarks followed ABC's accusations against the FCC, claiming that the agency was retaliating against it due to the political content of its programming. ABC's latest filing to the FCC indicated that the agency's review of its licenses was politically motivated, as the administration had openly called for revocation based on the content aired by ABC.
In response to the ongoing confrontation, ABC noted significant public support for its position, citing over 140,000 supportive comments submitted during the license renewal process. Carr, however, maintained that the FCC's actions are aimed at ensuring broadcasters adhere to standards that prevent misinformation and discrimination in their programming.
FCC主席为对ABC的行动辩护，称广播公司必须“以公众利益为重”
联邦通信委员会主席Brendan Carr为该机构近期对ABC的行动辩护，声称广播公司必须以公众利益为重。在一次采访中，Carr强调，像ABC这样的广播公司与美国人民达成了一项协议，获得对公共资源的免费使用权，以换取履行其公共利益义务。
Carr对当前国家信任的新闻媒体状况表示担忧，指出这一状况令人堪忧。他敦促广播公司回归对公众的责任。
这一言论是在ABC指责FCC的背景下发表的，ABC声称该机构因其节目内容的政治性而对其进行报复。ABC在向FCC提交的最新文件中指出，FCC对其许可证的审查是出于政治动机，因为政府公开呼吁撤销基于ABC播放内容的许可证。
在与FCC的持续对抗中，ABC提到公众对其立场的显著支持，引用了在许可证续期过程中提交的超过14万条支持性评论。然而，Carr坚持认为，FCC的行动旨在确保广播公司遵循防止错误信息和歧视的标准。