Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has reaffirmed his commitment to ongoing investigations into news distortion, rejecting calls to abolish the agency’s controversial policy. Despite a bipartisan plea from former FCC chairs and commissioners, Carr emphasizes the importance of holding broadcasters accountable for public interest obligations.

In a recent post on X, Carr dismissed the petition, stating, “How about no.” He clarified that under his leadership, the FCC will continue scrutinizing broadcasters suspected of distorting news content. This stance stems from the agency’s longstanding, though often debated, policy dating back to the 1960s, which aims to regulate false or misleading news.

The controversy intensified after Carr suggested that ABC affiliates could face license revocation over a Jimmy Kimmel segment, arguing that persistent news distortion warrants strict enforcement. Experts argue that such policies are crucial for safeguarding media integrity, with some noting that transparency and accountability are vital for maintaining public trust in journalism.

David Nield

Dave is a freelance tech journalist with over 20 years covering gadgets, apps, and the web. From Stockport, England, he covers news, features, and reviews for TechRadar, focusing on phones, tablets, and wearables. He ensures top weekend breaking news and has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci, and others. He edited PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook for years. Read me on x.com or linkedin.