FCC Chair Brendan Carr Targets Late-Night Shows Over Equal Time Rules
FCC Chair Brendan Carr is challenging long-standing 'equal time' exemptions for late-night talk shows, sparking a free speech debate with host Jimmy Kimmel.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is intensifying its scrutiny of late-night television, signaling a major shift in how political interviews are regulated. On Thursday night, Jimmy Kimmel utilized his monologue to address what he describes as a direct assault on free speech by FCC Chair Brendan Carr.
Understanding the FCC Brendan Carr Equal Time Rules
The dispute centers on the 'equal time' rule, a mandate dating back to the 1927 Radio Act. This rule requires broadcasters to offer equivalent airtime to all legally qualified political candidates if one is featured. However, a 1959 amendment created an exemption for 'bonafide news interviews,' which has protected talk shows for decades.
They're reinterpreting long agreed upon rules to stifle us. It's a sneaky little way of keeping viewpoints that aren't his off air.
A History of Exemptions Under Threat
Kimmel pointed to historical precedents where the FCC upheld the news exemption, including John F. Kennedy's appearance in 1960 and Bill Clinton's in 1992. Even in 2006, the FCC denied a request for equal time when Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared on Jay Leno's show. Carr's current movement seeks to categorize shows like 'The View' and 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' as entertainment rather than news, potentially forcing them to host every candidate or none at all.
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