FCC Chair Threatens to Throttle News Broadcasts Over 'Hoaxes' About Iran War
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr has issued a stark warning to the U.S. broadcasting industry, threatening to cancel spectrum permits for news outlets he accuses of spreading "hoaxes and news distortions" about the ongoing conflict in Iran. In a social media post on Saturday, Carr stated that broadcasters running "fake news" must "correct course before their license renewals come up" or face losing their licenses under the public interest mandate of the Communications Act of 1934.
Administration's Sustained Complaints About Media Coverage
Carr's warning aligns with persistent complaints from the Trump administration regarding what it derisively terms "the mainstream media." The administration has repeatedly criticized coverage it views as unflattering or unpatriotic, particularly concerning the Iran conflict. In his post, Carr copied a Truth Social message from former President Donald Trump, who lambasted "misleading" headlines about the war.
Trump specifically targeted the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, accusing them and other outlets of wanting the U.S. to "lose the War" and publishing "the exact opposite of the actual facts." He described media personnel as "truly sick and demented people" causing damage to the United States.
Defense Secretary Joins Criticism of Media Reporting
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has faced accusations of being thin-skinned about media portrayals and restricting Pentagon access for credentialed reporters, also criticized media coverage of the Iran conflict. On Friday, Hegseth offered a lengthy dissection of what he called "fake news" regarding U.S.-Israeli actions in Iran.
"Some in this crew, in the press, just can't stop," Hegseth said. "People look up at the TV and they see banners, they see headlines. I used to be in that business. And I know that everything is written intentionally." He suggested alternative headlines like "Iran increasingly desperate" instead of "Mideast war intensifies" alongside visuals of civilian targets hit by Iran.
Media Ownership Changes and Editorial Independence Concerns
Hegseth referenced the recent acquisition of CNN parent Warner Bros Discovery by Paramount Skydance, owned by billionaire Larry Ellison and his son David Ellison. "The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better," Hegseth stated. This comment comes amid anxiety among CNN staff about potential implications for editorial independence under new ownership.
In his first interview as Paramount CEO last week, David Ellison pledged to support editorial independence at CNN. "CNN is an incredible brand with an incredible team," Ellison said, "and we absolutely believe in the independence that needs to be maintained, obviously, for those incredible journalists, and we want to support that going forward."
FCC Chair Cites Declining Trust in Legacy Media
In his Saturday post, Carr claimed without evidence that trust in legacy media has "fallen to an all-time low of just 9%" and described news outlets as "ratings disasters." He indicated he could use access to the broadcast spectrum—considered a public asset—to address what he sees as media failures, potentially setting up another clash between government and media institutions.
"The American people have subsidized broadcasters to the tune of billions of dollars by providing free access to the nation's airwaves," Carr wrote. "It is very important to bring trust back into media, which has earned itself the label of fake news."
Historical Grievances About Election Coverage
Carr also raised archival complaints about media reporting of the 2024 election, when widespread predictions of a Democratic presidential victory were contradicted by Trump's plurality popular vote win. "When a political candidate is able to win a landslide election victory in the face of hoaxes and distortions, there is something very wrong," Carr stated. "It means the public has lost faith and confidence in the media."
The FCC's control over the electromagnetic spectrum gives it significant leverage over broadcasters, including commercial and non-commercial fixed and mobile wireless services, broadcast television and radio, satellite services, and other communications under the 1934 Communications Act. Carr's threats represent a significant escalation in the administration's ongoing tensions with news organizations over coverage of national security and foreign policy matters.
