Trump’s FCC to Smash Corporate Media’s ‘Censorship Cartel’

Corporate media giants, including ABC News, CBS News, and The Washington Post, are under fire for alleged bias and interference in the 2024 presidential election. The Chicago-based Center for American Rights (CAR) has filed multiple complaints with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Election Commission (FEC), accusing these outlets of violating broadcast and election laws.

“Slanting the Debate” Allegations
The first complaint centers on the September presidential debate moderated by ABC News’ David Muir and Linsey Davis. CAR alleges that the moderators unfairly favored Vice President Kamala Harris, repeatedly “fact-checking” then-candidate Donald Trump while treating Harris with kid gloves. This, CAR claims, amounted to an illegal in-kind contribution to Harris’ campaign.

“Slanting the debate could influence public opinion in ways that undermine democratic processes,” CAR stated in its complaint, emphasizing that fairness is paramount in using public airwaves.

CBS Accused of Editing Bias
Another complaint targets CBS for its infamous 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, alleging significant “news distortion.” CAR claims that CBS aired two versions of Harris’ response to a foreign policy question—an incoherent answer on Face the Nation and a polished version on 60 Minutes. CBS has refused to release the unedited transcript.

“I’m curious how they’ll explain to the FCC and the American people their right to hide evidence of potential news manipulation,” CAR President Daniel Suhr remarked during a radio interview.

The Washington Post Under Scrutiny
CAR also filed an FEC complaint against The Washington Post, accusing the publication of one-sided social media campaigning against Trump. This reportedly violated campaign finance laws, which require expenditures on political advocacy to be disclosed, even for media outlets.

“The Post seems to think it’s special because it’s a media organization. Newsflash: It’s not,” Suhr said. “Campaign finance laws apply equally to all.”

NBC and “Saturday Night Live”
A fourth complaint takes aim at NBC’s Saturday Night Live. CAR alleges the show’s satirical portrayal of Harris amounted to free promotion just days before the election. NBC later aired Trump campaign ads in an apparent attempt to balance the scales.

FCC Eyes Media Accountability
The complaints have caught the attention of FCC Republican Commissioner Brendan Carr, who has criticized media bias and vowed to examine these allegations seriously. “Broadcasters are uniquely privileged by their access to public airwaves. That privilege comes with a responsibility to serve the public interest,” Carr told Fox News.

Carr has also hinted at broader scrutiny of media conglomerates, including Paramount Global, parent company of CBS. “The status quo in legacy media must change,” Carr said, calling for reforms to ensure accountability and fairness in political coverage.

“Smashing the Censorship Cartel”
Adding fuel to the controversy, Carr has been outspoken against social media giants like Google and Meta for alleged collusion with media outlets to suppress dissenting voices. “It’s time to smash this censorship cartel,” Carr declared, highlighting how such practices erode public trust.

A Fight for Equality
Suhr frames the controversy as a broader battle for equality under the First Amendment. “Major media isn’t special. The First Amendment protects everyone equally,” he said. “We need to stop pretending legacy media is above the law.”

As investigations unfold, the complaints have reignited debate over media bias, free speech, and the role of corporate media in shaping democratic processes. Whether the FCC and FEC will take decisive action remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the fight to hold media accountable has just begun.