Key facts
- Donald Trump called for the revocation of broadcast licenses for ABC and NBC.
- Trump cited unfair coverage of Republicans and conservatives as justification.
- FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez stated Trump's demand is unconstitutional and an attempt to bully broadcasters.
- Gomez affirmed that broadcasters' editorial decisions are protected by the First Amendment.
- The FCC lacks the authority to punish stations for refusing to air political speeches.
Donald Trump has called for broadcast networks ABC and NBC to lose their licenses, citing what he described as unfair coverage of Republicans and conservatives. He also suggested these networks should pay annual license fees for using public airwaves, labeling them 'FAKE NEWS' and an 'arm of the Democratic Party.'
However, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the sole Democrat on the commission, described Trump's call as 'ridiculous' and 'a naked attempt to bully broadcasters.' She stated that broadcasters made 'the same editorial decisions they've made under presidents of both parties,' which are protected by the First Amendment. Gomez emphasized that the FCC has no authority to punish a station for refusing to air a political speech.
Revoking a broadcaster's license is a multi-step process involving an administrative law judge and potential appeals to the full FCC and courts. Experts note that networks have broad First Amendment rights to decide what they broadcast, though they historically carry most presidential speeches. Networks previously declined to air remarks from Democratic presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
During a prime-time speech, Trump revived claims about election unreliability and stated that networks not airing his speech should have their licenses revoked. Some networks, including CNN, ABC, and NBC, opted not to air the speech live, while CBS, Fox News, and MS Now broadcast portions. Trump's communications director criticized NBC and ABC as 'cowards' for not airing the speech live.