Brendan Carr, the incoming chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) appointed by President-elect Donald Trump, has targeted Disney and its news outlet ABC over what he claims is the erosion of public trust in the media. His blistering criticism came through a letter addressed to Disney CEO Bob Iger, which followed recent developments involving ABC's $15 million settlement stemming from a defamation lawsuit filed by Trump.
According to CNN, Carr's letter emphasized, "Americans no longer trust the national news media to report fully, accurately, and fairly." He pointed out statistics indicating the declining public perception of media outlets, asserting, "ABC's own conduct has certainly contributed to this erosion of public trust." Carr's remarks come against the backdrop of previous controversies involving the network's coverage of Trump and accusations of bias.
The settlement at the heart of Carr's criticism involved Trump suing ABC News after anchor George Stephanopoulos claimed on air, inaccurately, to have been found "liable for rape" when the jury concluded Trump had been liable for sexual abuse. The distinction is significant, as Carr noted, because it reflects the broader issue of media accountability and accuracy.
Focusing on the business side of television, Carr also expressed concerns over how ABC negotiates its affiliation agreements with local TV stations. He described claims of ABC attempting to extract "onerous financial and operational concessions" from these stations as alarming. "The fact is, there’s a massive trust divide between local news outlets and national programmers like ABC," he wrote. Recognizing the importance of local news, Carr argued for preserving retransmission consent revenues so local stations can invest back in the content and services they provide to their communities.
Carr's letter places local news stations—those licensed by the FCC—at the forefront, arguing they are more trusted than their national counterparts. His reminders to ABC signal heightened regulatory vigilance during Trump's administration, which has been characterized by open hostility toward certain media outlets.
"Local broadcasters must meet their federal obligations and serve their local communities," Carr stated. He committed to monitoring ABC's negotiations closely, hinting at potential repercussions should the network's dealings threaten the integrity of local broadcasting. He proffered the warning ominously, asserting he would be "monitoring the outcome of your negotiations to safeguard these standards. A fair agreement would do just this."
The gravity of Carr's statements escalates when one considers Trump’s historical calls to revoke broadcast licenses for networks he perceives as biased against him. Following the defamation case's resolution, the rhetoric from the FCC under Trump's governance appears poised to take on more aggressive tones, potentially influencing both media operations and public perception.
From Trump's perspective, media outlets like ABC have routinely been criticized as biased and hostile. His administration's approach, characterized by the threats and legal battles against various media entities, follows precedent as far back as his campaign rhetoric, highlighting the contentious relationship between Trump and the press.
This conflict is underscored by the irony of Trump’s reliance on the media to amplify his political brand, juxtaposed with his persistent campaigns against it. The former president has been known to assert his power over the media, even threatening litigation against outlets he deems hostile. His administration's trust levels and interactions with the press are indicative of larger cultural divides surrounding media consumption.
Carr’s letter suggests the FCC's renewed mandate could lean toward pushing for accountability within news organizations under the influence and direction of Trump’s administration. Echoing sentiments from earlier Republican administrations, there’s speculation about whether efforts to regulate media organizations will find purchase among politicians and the public, especially as concerns about misinformation and media bias continue to surface.
The backdrop for this drama extends to other recent actions from the Trump administration. Earlier comments made by Carr criticized media companies for forming what he refers to as a "censorship cartel," alleging collusion among major tech companies and media organizations to limit free speech. Trump's constant barrage against what he claims is unfair media treatment has not only shaped the political narrative but also posited mechanisms for government intervention and regulation across platforms.
Carr's focus on the national versus local divide speaks to larger trends within the media ecosystem, as local news sources struggle to maintain relevance and revenue amid competition from national networks transitioning to streaming and digital formats. With Carr's predictions of heightened scrutiny on ABC and its affiliates, true accountability for national media players may soon be called to task.
Moving forward, the ramifications of Carr’s letter and the settled lawsuit will likely echo through the halls of broadcast newsrooms across the country. Local stations may find their importance amplified, yet they remain caught between the regulatory might of the FCC and the financial pressures exerted by larger corporate owners.
By keeping media accountability and local journalism at the forefront of the conversation, Carr’s tenure at the FCC may pave the way for new regulatory scrutiny on national news media and the mechanisms they employ to shape public perception. The public and media alike await the outcome of this complicated intersection of politics and journalism.
