What A Day Can Trump's FCC Manufacture War Propaganda?
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Mar 19, 2026 Matt Berg, Washington correspondent covering heated Senate hearings and political headlines. Matt Gertz, senior fellow at Media Matters analyzing media behavior and FCC moves. They dig into Brendan Carr’s threats to broadcasters and what license enforcement could mean for journalism. Also covered: tense confirmation hearings, global intelligence testimony, and a New York Times investigation into Cesar Chavez.
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FCC Chair Publicly Pressures Media Coverage
- Brendan Carr is using his FCC platform to pressure news outlets to produce more pro-administration coverage.
- Carr reposted a Trump Truth Social attack and publicly warned broadcasters they could lose licenses if they run "hoaxes and news distortions."
Revoking Licenses Faces Real Legal Limits
- The FCC's power to revoke broadcast licenses exists but is legally constrained and unlikely to succeed if contested in court.
- Matt Gertz notes precedent and legal limits mean Carr can't remove licenses at whim, but threats still have effect.
Chilling Effect Comes From Cost Of Fighting
- Even unsuccessful regulatory threats can chill journalism because fighting the government in court is costly.
- Gertz warns corporate owners often choose to settle or rein in news divisions to avoid expensive legal battles.