Curtis LeGeyt, president of the National Association of Broadcasters, is no fan of government pressure on the media to cover stories a certain way – and says it has come “from both parties.”
LeGeyt made the remark in a blog post Sunday, addressing escalating concerns over government interference in media content. The NAB, a trade association representing over 8,300 U.S. radio and TV stations, advocates for broadcasters' rights to operate free from political coercion.
LeGeyt's comments were prompted by recent events involving ABC's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which he described as part of "an unprecedented time in media history" where broadcasters face threats to their independence.
LeGeyt emphasized that while the current pressures are alarming, they are not isolated to one administration. He stated: "Government pressure on media to cover events in a particular way is not new and it has come from both political parties." He argued that even the perception of such influence undermines public trust in broadcasters, who rely on First Amendment protections to make content decisions without fear of retribution. The NAB's core mission, he noted, includes fulfilling "our most sacred responsibility: reporting to our communities without fear of government retribution."