Executive Summary
- President Trump called for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revoke the licenses of ABC and NBC, alleging they are “two of the worst and most biased networks in history.”
- Trump claimed the networks deliver “97% BAD STORIES” and suggested they should pay “millions of dollars a year in license fees” if their licenses are not revoked for “unfair coverage.”
- Trump’s recent remarks signal a revival of his adversarial relationship with the media, a hallmark of his previous time in office.
The Story So Far
- Donald Trump’s call for the FCC to revoke licenses is a revival of his long-standing adversarial relationship with the media, which was a hallmark of his previous time in office. He has consistently attacked “fake news” and accused outlets of bias, particularly those he perceives as aligned with the Democratic Party, using such allegations to dismiss unfavorable coverage and now advocating for license revocation.
Why This Matters
- President Trump’s renewed calls for the FCC to revoke broadcast licenses for alleged bias signify a continued challenge to press freedom, potentially fostering an environment where critical reporting is seen as grounds for government intervention and further eroding public trust in independent media, while also suggesting new financial burdens on broadcasters through proposed license fees.
Who Thinks What?
- President Donald Trump believes ABC and NBC are biased, act as an “arm of the Democrat Party,” and provide overwhelmingly negative coverage, warranting the revocation of their broadcasting licenses or the payment of significant license fees.
- The journalism industry and media outlets generally understand their crucial role in promoting a healthy democracy by providing fact-checked information and fear potential difficulties in accessing truthful reporting if credentials are revoked or if favored outlets do not provide impartial coverage.
President Donald Trump on Sunday called for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revoke the licenses of ABC and NBC, labeling them “two of the worst and most biased networks in history.” Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump alleged that the networks provide overwhelmingly negative coverage, acting as an “arm of the Democrat Party” and posing an “actual threat to our Democracy.”
Allegations of Bias and License Revocation
Trump claimed that despite his “very high popularity,” ABC and NBC deliver “97% BAD STORIES.” He reiterated his stance that such alleged bias warrants the revocation of their broadcasting licenses.
In a subsequent post, Trump questioned why the two networks were not paying “millions of dollars a year in license fees.” He suggested that if their licenses were not revoked for “unfair coverage of Republicans and/or Conservatives,” they should at least “pay up BIG” for using valuable public airwaves.
Context of Media Relationship
The President’s recent remarks signal a revival of his adversarial relationship with the media, a hallmark of his previous time in office. His first term was characterized by frequent attacks on the “fake news” press, along with changes to White House press pool access.
Throughout his political career, Trump has frequently used the phrase “fake news” to dismiss unfavorable coverage and has openly supported or criticized specific outlets. These actions have raised concerns among some in the journalism industry, who fear potential difficulties in accessing truthful reporting if credentials are revoked or if favored outlets do not provide impartial coverage.
Media outlets are generally understood to play a crucial role in promoting a healthy democracy by providing the public with fact-checked information, particularly concerning those in power, and offering essential context.
President Trump’s latest pronouncements underscore his ongoing conflict with traditional media institutions, echoing themes of bias and alleged political alignment that have defined his interactions with the press. His call for the FCC to intervene highlights a continued push for accountability from news organizations he deems unfair.
