Senator Ron Johnson has pushed back against Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr’s warning that broadcasters could lose their licences for airing what the agency deems “fake news” related to the Iran conflict. In an interview on Fox News, Johnson said he opposes government meddling in freedom of speech and the control of private enterprise.
“I’m in big support of the first amendment,” Johnson stated. “I do not like the heavy hand of government, no matter who’s wielding it. So no, I would rather the federal government stay out of the private sector as much as possible.” He emphasised that the federal government’s role is to protect freedoms and constitutional rights.
Carr, a Trump appointee, wrote on X that broadcasters running “hoaxes and news distortions” must correct course before licence renewals. “The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not,” he said. Democrats, including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Chris Murphy, criticised the threat as unconstitutional and authoritarian. California Governor Gavin Newsom called it “flagrantly unconstitutional”.
Carr later doubled down in a CBS News interview, stating that broadcast licences are not property rights and that broadcasters must adhere to public interest standards. He added that broadcasters should feel free to report as long as they avoid “news distortion”.
However, the FCC’s power has waned as over-the-air broadcasting declines. Anna Gomez, the sole Democratic commissioner, argued the FCC is “powerless” to carry out such threats and that they violate the First Amendment. She urged broadcasters to continue covering news independently without fear of government pressure.
