On The Road: Gomez Critical Of FCC Investigation Into CBS

FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez, a Democrat appointed to the Federal Communications Commission in September 2023, has been vocal in her criticism of the agency’s investigation into CBS, particularly during a visit to WFOR-TV, a CBS-owned station in Miami, on February 18, 2025. This visit came amid escalating tensions over the FCC’s probes into alleged media bias under Chairman Brendan Carr, a Republican appointed by President Donald Trump.

Context of the Visit: Gomez’s trip to WFOR was part of a broader series of engagements with broadcasters across the United States, aimed at understanding the media market’s challenges and assessing how FCC actions impact local communities. Her visit coincided with a symposium with Hispanic media executives in Miami, reflecting her commitment as the first Latina FCC commissioner in over two decades to connect with diverse media stakeholders. However, the timing—shortly after the FCC intensified its scrutiny of CBS—turned the visit into a platform for her to publicly challenge what she sees as an overreach by the agency.

The FCC, under Carr’s leadership since January 2025, had revived a previously dismissed complaint against CBS, originally filed by the conservative Center for American Rights. The complaint alleged “news distortion” in a “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election campaign. Carr’s decision to escalate the probe, including demanding unedited footage and transcripts from CBS, drew sharp rebukes from Gomez and other press freedom advocates, who viewed it as a politically motivated attack on journalistic independence.

Gomez’s Criticism: During her visit to WFOR, Gomez emphasized the critical role of local broadcasters, stating, “The FCC should not be in the business of controlling access to vital local information.” She argued that stations like WFOR serve as essential resources for communities—providing emergency alerts, local news, and information for seniors, veterans, and residents—particularly in a diverse media market like Miami. Her remarks underscored her belief that the FCC’s actions, including the CBS investigation, threaten to disrupt this public service by instilling fear in broadcasters and influencing editorial decisions.

Gomez framed the investigation as part of a broader pattern of “weaponization” of the FCC’s authority under Carr. She has consistently criticized the agency’s recent moves—such as probes into ABC, NBC, NPR, PBS, and Audacy—as exceeding its mandate and undermining its role as an independent regulator. In her view, the CBS case exemplifies a retaliatory effort to target broadcasters whose content is perceived as unfavorable to the Trump administration. She reiterated this stance in a February 5, 2025, statement on X, noting that the released “60 Minutes” transcripts and footage showed no evidence of FCC rule violations, calling the probe a “fishing expedition” that should be dismissed to avoid further politicization.

The CBS investigation stems from claims that the network edited the October 2024 “60 Minutes” interview with Harris in a way that favored her candidacy over Trump’s. The Center for American Rights argued this constituted intentional distortion, violating the FCC’s public interest standards. Former FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel had dismissed the complaint in 2024, citing First Amendment protections and insufficient evidence. However, Carr reinstated it within days of taking office, aligning with Trump’s public criticisms of mainstream media and his $10 billion lawsuit against CBS over the same interview.