7 months ago
FCC Warns Talk Shows on Political Guest Rules
The FCC, which is like the boss of TV and radio rules, said that shows like The View and late-night talk shows might have to give equal time to all political candidates if they have one on as a guest.
This is because of a rule called the equal time rule.
The rule says that if a candidate appears on a show, the station has to give the same amount of time to their opponents.
There are some exceptions, like for news shows, but the FCC says they haven't seen proof that these talk shows qualify for those exceptions.
One person on the FCC, Anna Gomez, said this is just a way to scare broadcasters into not saying things that the government doesn't like.
The FCC's chairman, Brendan Carr, has been critical of shows like The View and Jimmy Kimmel in the past for making comments about politicians.
This could make it harder for talk shows to have political candidates as guests, because they might have to give a lot of time to less famous opponents.
FCC warns talk shows like The View may need to provide equal time to political rivals if they feature candidates.
Equal time rule requires broadcasters to give equal airtime to all candidates for the same office.
Exemptions exist for news programming, but the FCC says current talk shows lack evidence to qualify.
FCC's Media Bureau's sole Democrat, Anna Gomez, calls the statement government intimidation.
Brendan Carr, the FCC chairman, has previously targeted The View and Jimmy Kimmel for political comments.
- Who
- FCC, Anna Gomez, Brendan Carr, broadcasters, political candidates
- What
- FCC warning about equal time rule for political candidates on talk shows
- Where
- United States, affecting broadcasters and talk shows
- When
- Recent statement, with historical context from 2006 and 2024
- Why
- To clarify the application of the equal time rule and its exemptions
Key facts
- FCC Statement
- Warning about equal time rule for political candidates on talk shows
- Equal Time Rule
- Requires equal airtime for rival candidates if one appears on broadcast
- Exemptions
- News programming, including newscasts, interview programs, and bona fide news events
- FCC's Stance
- No evidence that current talk shows qualify for news exemption
- Anna Gomez's Response
- Characterized FCC statement as government intimidation
- Brendan Carr's History
- Previously targeted The View and Jimmy Kimmel for political comments
- Impact on Broadcasters
- Potential burden to provide equal time to lesser-known rivals
- SNL Example
- NBC provided equal time to Trump campaign after Kamala Harris' appearance
Quotes
Anna Gomez
The sole Democrat on the FCC.
“For decades, the Commission has recognized that bona fide news interviews, late-night programs, and daytime news shows are entitled to editorial discretion based on newsworthiness, not political favoritism. That principle has not been repealed, revised, or voted on by the Commission. This announcement therefore does not change the law, but it does represent an escalation in this FCC’s ongoing campaign to censor and control speech.”
deadline.com
“Broadcast stations have a constitutional right to carry newsworthy content, even when that content is critical of those in power.”
deadline.com
FCC
The Federal Communications Commission.
“Importantly, the FCC has not been presented with any evidence that the interview portion of any late night or daytime television talk show program on air presently would qualify for the bona fide news exemption. Moreover, a program that is motivated by partisan purposes, for example, would not be entitled to an exemption under longstanding FCC precedent.”
deadline.com
Sources
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