Federal Censorship Commission Reaches New Low in Push to Force Jimmy Kimmel Off the Air
ABC and Nexstar abandon First Amendment to appease Trump
WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, ABC announced it was yanking Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show off the air indefinitely after the host made comments about how right-wing extremists were responding to the killing of Charlie Kirk.
The move followed threats Trump FCC Chairman Brendan Carr made in an interview with right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr said. “These companies can find ways to change conduct and take actions on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
In response, Nexstar — the nation’s largest broadcast chain, which is currently seeking FCC approval of its merger with Tegna and the elimination of longstanding FCC media-ownership limits — announced it would preempt Kimmel’s program on its two-dozen ABC affiliate stations.
Free Press Co-CEO Craig Aaron made the following statement:
“Donald Trump and Brendan Carr have turned the FCC into the Federal Censorship Commission, ignoring the First Amendment and replacing the rule of law with the whims of right-wing bloggers. They’re abusing their power to shake down media companies with their dangerous demands for dishonest coverage and Orwellian compliance with the administration’s demands. This is nothing more than censorship and extortion.
“Worse still, the nation’s largest media companies are playing along. Nexstar is willing to sacrifice any semblance of independence or integrity to smooth the path for its next mega-merger. Having failed to buy off Trump with a ridiculous legal settlement last year, ABC keeps caving regardless of how meritless the administration’s claims are — and how much lasting damage they’re doing to free speech in America. These companies are turning the public airwaves into another propaganda arm of the Trump regime.
“This is a new low for the FCC and corporate media — and that’s saying something. The rest of us must speak out against this abuse of power and unite to defend free expression. These companies are unworthy stewards of the public airwaves. Brendan Carr is completely unworthy of his position and the public trust.
“Yesterday the Washington Post censored and fired columnist Karen Attiah; today Jimmy Kimmel is on the chopping block. Tomorrow it could be any of us. That’s all the more reason those with power and platforms in this country must stop capitulating — and start fighting back.”