The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for March 4, 2025
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
In our last report, we explained how Executive Order 14215 claims Presidential authority over the FEC and other independent agencies, putting fair elections at risk. Manipulation of the FCC, which sets broadcasting rules for political advertising, could also impact elections.
Until 1987, the Federal Communications Commission followed the “Fairness Doctrine,” ensuring equal access to the airwaves and balanced coverage of candidates. The doctrine was dismantled in 1987 by a Reagan FCC appointee, and Congress has since failed to restore it.
The FCC still has a role in elections, however. The Communications Act of 1996 protects “reasonable access” by qualified federal candidates, and “equal time opportunities” for federal, state, and local candidates. While it no longer reviews ads for accuracy, it still prohibits censorship of candidate-sponsored ads, requires the “paid for by” disclosure, and mandates records be available to the public. What if those rules were ignored?
Extremist control of the FCC could revoke licenses of broadcasters who disagree with the administration, as threatened by Trump against NBC, ABC and CBS in recent months. It could allow broadcasters to pick & choose their advertisers, potentially silencing competition. Unequal enforcement could tilt the playing field,. Under a war powers provision, the President could suspend a broadcaster’s license in QUOTE, “a state of public peril.”
In short, a partisan takeover of the FCC could impact election fairness, not only for the 2026 midterms, but years to come. Find more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Federal Communications Commission – Communications Act of 1996
Federal Communications Commission – Political Programming
Federal Communications Commission – (2022) Political Programming Rules Fact Sheet
Perkins-Coie – What To Expect From the New Trump FCC
Brookings – (2024) Donald Trump has threatened to shut down broadcasters, but can he?
Reuters – (2024) FCC chair rejects Trump call to pull ABC licenses over presidential debate
USA Today – Fact check: Fairness Doctrine only applied to broadcast licenses, not cable TV like Fox News
Groups Taking Action:
Brennan Center, Public Citizen, Common Cause
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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