"'The FCC has no business threatening to take away broadcast licenses'"
Outgoing FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel asserts that the agency must prioritize its independence and refrain from making decisions based on the "grievances of the president."
TroibNews 
Jessica Rosenworcel, the outgoing chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), expressed her concerns about the agency being influenced by President-elect Donald Trump in a recent interview. She emphasized that the FCC must base its decisions on factual records and legal standards rather than on the president's grievances or whims.
Rosenworcel stated, “We make decisions about communications based on the record, based on the facts, and based on the law. And not based on the whims coming out of the White House or the grievances of the president,” during her appearance on PMG Tech podcast.
Although the FCC is an independent body that regulates U.S. communications networks, its chair and commissioners are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Trump has selected Brendan Carr, the commission's senior Republican, to assume the role of chair. In a recent interview with CNBC, Carr mentioned that he is collaborating with Trump's transition team to ensure he fully understands their agenda.
Trump has indicated he might revoke the broadcast licenses of news organizations that he perceives as overly critical, a sentiment echoed by Carr during the last election cycle. Carr has openly criticized CBS and NBC for what he viewed as preferential treatment toward Vice President Kamala Harris and remarked that “broadcast licenses are not sacred cows.”
Additionally, Carr has pledged to focus on major tech companies like Apple, Meta, Google, and Microsoft, referring to them as “the censorship cartel.” This response is rooted in concerns from Trump and Republican lawmakers about the alleged suppression of conservative voices on these platforms.
Rosenworcel countered this approach, asserting, “The FCC has no business threatening to take away broadcast licenses because the president does not like the content or coverage on a network. And that same First Amendment duty applies to what is out there online.”
During the interview with PMG Tech host Steven Overly, Rosenworcel discussed her time leading the FCC, addressing issues such as cyber threats from China and the rise of AI deepfakes, as well as the agency’s potential direction under the incoming Trump administration. To hear the complete interview, tune in to PMG Tech on platforms like Apple, Spotify, or Audible.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
Rosenworcel stated, “We make decisions about communications based on the record, based on the facts, and based on the law. And not based on the whims coming out of the White House or the grievances of the president,” during her appearance on PMG Tech podcast.
Although the FCC is an independent body that regulates U.S. communications networks, its chair and commissioners are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Trump has selected Brendan Carr, the commission's senior Republican, to assume the role of chair. In a recent interview with CNBC, Carr mentioned that he is collaborating with Trump's transition team to ensure he fully understands their agenda.
Trump has indicated he might revoke the broadcast licenses of news organizations that he perceives as overly critical, a sentiment echoed by Carr during the last election cycle. Carr has openly criticized CBS and NBC for what he viewed as preferential treatment toward Vice President Kamala Harris and remarked that “broadcast licenses are not sacred cows.”
Additionally, Carr has pledged to focus on major tech companies like Apple, Meta, Google, and Microsoft, referring to them as “the censorship cartel.” This response is rooted in concerns from Trump and Republican lawmakers about the alleged suppression of conservative voices on these platforms.
Rosenworcel countered this approach, asserting, “The FCC has no business threatening to take away broadcast licenses because the president does not like the content or coverage on a network. And that same First Amendment duty applies to what is out there online.”
During the interview with PMG Tech host Steven Overly, Rosenworcel discussed her time leading the FCC, addressing issues such as cyber threats from China and the rise of AI deepfakes, as well as the agency’s potential direction under the incoming Trump administration. To hear the complete interview, tune in to PMG Tech on platforms like Apple, Spotify, or Audible.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
