USA: What role does the Federal Communications Commission play in this situation?
19 september 2025 в 18:13
After ABC took late-night host Jimmy Kimmel off the air due to negative reaction to his controversial monologue about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel became the main headline topic. The Federal Communications Commission praised ABC’s actions, and President Donald Trump went further, saying that this decision was «Great news for America». As protests for freedom of speech grow, many are asking: what is the FCC, what are its powers, and what role does it play in all of this?
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent government agency established in 1934 to oversee communication in the United States. It covers television, radio, wired, satellite, and broadband communication. As the FCC explains on its website, one of its missions is to ensure «leadership in strengthening the nation’s communication infrastructure protection».
The FCC enforces broadcasting and communication rules, including licensing television and radio stations, setting decency standards, allocating spectrum for wireless networks, and combating fraud. After Kimmel’s suspension, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated that broadcasters have a «responsibility to the public» and praised ABC for taking action after criticism of the late-night host’s monologue.
The agency is led by five commissioners appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, with one appointed as chairman. Current chairman Brendan Carr called Kimmel’s remarks «the most disgusting behavior possible» and warned that the FCC may consider revoking licenses of ABC-affiliated stations as punishment.
No, ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! — not the FCC. However, the agency’s leadership publicly welcomed this decision. In an interview on conservative commentator Benny Johnson’s podcast, Carr said of Kimmel’s show: «We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to take action against Kimmel, or the FCC will have additional work to do».
On September 18, 2024, Stephen Colbert addressed the controversy in a monologue on his now-canceled late-night show, saying: «After FCC Chairman Trump’s threats, ABC permanently took Jimmy Kimmel off the air. This is blatant censorship… You can’t give an inch to an autocrat… If ABC thinks this will satisfy the regime, they are deeply naive»
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent government agency established in 1934 to oversee communication in the United States. It covers television, radio, wired, satellite, and broadband communication. As the FCC explains on its website, one of its missions is to ensure «leadership in strengthening the nation’s communication infrastructure protection».
The FCC enforces broadcasting and communication rules, including licensing television and radio stations, setting decency standards, allocating spectrum for wireless networks, and combating fraud. After Kimmel’s suspension, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated that broadcasters have a «responsibility to the public» and praised ABC for taking action after criticism of the late-night host’s monologue.
The agency is led by five commissioners appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, with one appointed as chairman. Current chairman Brendan Carr called Kimmel’s remarks «the most disgusting behavior possible» and warned that the FCC may consider revoking licenses of ABC-affiliated stations as punishment.
No, ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! — not the FCC. However, the agency’s leadership publicly welcomed this decision. In an interview on conservative commentator Benny Johnson’s podcast, Carr said of Kimmel’s show: «We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to take action against Kimmel, or the FCC will have additional work to do».
On September 18, 2024, Stephen Colbert addressed the controversy in a monologue on his now-canceled late-night show, saying: «After FCC Chairman Trump’s threats, ABC permanently took Jimmy Kimmel off the air. This is blatant censorship… You can’t give an inch to an autocrat… If ABC thinks this will satisfy the regime, they are deeply naive»
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
