FCC Chair: 'All Options' Open on CBS News Distortion Review

FCC Chair Brendan Carr stated on Monday that "all options remain on the table" in the ongoing investigation into a "60 Minutes" interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Last month, Carr rejected CBS’s request to dismiss a complaint alleging the interview violated FCC "news distortion" rules. CBS, owned by Paramount Global, is seeking FCC approval for an $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media, with a 180-day informal deadline approaching.

Reuters reports Carr, who has not yet reviewed the complaints or set a decision timeline, emphasized the FCC’s focus on applying "the law and the facts." He declined to speculate on potential pressure from President Donald Trump to approve the merger. Trump, who recently criticized "60 Minutes" for alleged inaccuracies, is engaged in a legal battle with CBS over the Harris interview, now in mediation.

Last week, "60 Minutes" executive producer Bill Owens stepped down, citing concerns over editorial independence. CBS has argued that the complaint risks turning the FCC into an unconstitutional censor, while the FCC is barred from censorship or infringing on First Amendment rights, though broadcasters cannot intentionally distort news.

Brendan Carr

Chairman Brendan Carr sidestepped a question during a Monday press conference about how a potential settlement of President Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit against CBS over its “60 Minutes” Kamala Harris interview could impact agency’s review of the Paramount-Skydance deal.

“The settlement and any discussions around that have nothing to do with the work that we’re doing at the FCC,” Carr said. “There’s at least three different things are going on: There’s the litigation, which we’re not a part of and there’s been no discussions about, there is the transaction that’s before us and there is the CBS news distortion [complaint]. And we’re taking those last two, running our normal course.”

In January, Carr reinstated complaints about the Harris interview, ABC News’ moderation of a Biden-Trump debate, and NBC’s decision to feature Harris on "Saturday Night Live" before the election. He has not decided whether to open these for public comment. Additionally, Carr opened an investigation into Disney and ABC’s diversity practices last month, citing potential violations of equal employment opportunity regulations. CBS did not immediately respond to requests for comment.