Several major conservative groups have recently called on Brendan Carr, the Trump-appointed Chair of the FCC, to end an ongoing investigation into CBS’s 60 Minutes regarding allegations of "news distortion."
The investigation stems from a complaint filed by the Center for American Rights, a conservative legal organization, which claims that 60 Minutes deceptively edited an October 2024 interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris to make her responses appear more coherent. The controversy gained traction after President Donald Trump sued CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, for $20 billion, alleging the editing was a deliberate attempt to favor Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign.
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| Brendan Carr |
Their argument centers on concerns over regulatory overreach and the potential for setting a dangerous precedent. They warn that an adverse ruling against CBS could be "weaponized" by future FCC administrations—potentially under Democratic control—to target conservative media outlets in retaliation. This fear reflects a broader unease about the FCC’s role in policing editorial decisions, which they see as infringing on First Amendment protections.
Interestingly, this push aligns these conservative groups with left-leaning organizations, creating an unusual coalition across the political spectrum.
The backdrop to this situation includes Trump’s ongoing legal and rhetorical battles with CBS, as well as the FCC’s concurrent review of Paramount Global’s $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media—a process that could be influenced by the investigation’s outcome. Critics, including some within the FCC like Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez, have labeled the probe a "retaliatory move" designed to intimidate broadcasters, further fueling the debate over the agency’s authority and intent.
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