Gomez Urges FCC To “Pivot Away” From “Partisan Culture Wars"

At the INCOMPAS Policy Summit, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez didn’t hold back. In a keynote fireside chat hosted by INCOMPAS—the trade group for internet and competitive networks—she outlined her policy vision while taking sharp aim at the Trump administration’s approach to broadcasters and media. Her frustration was palpable as she accused the administration of waging an “aggressive campaign” to “bring broadcasters and social media to heel.”

Gomez kicked off her remarks with a lament: “Unfortunately, this administration seems more interested in tearing things down than building anything up. I keep hoping we’ll pivot away from partisan culture wars at the FCC and refocus on our core mission.” For her, that mission centers on bolstering local journalism and supporting the pillars of media policy—diversity, localism, and competition. “In an era drowning in misinformation and disinformation, local broadcasters are more vital than ever,” she said. “But I’m worried about this push to strong-arm broadcasters and social media into submission. We should be doubling down on our foundational priorities instead.”

She urged the audience to speak out, warning that the administration’s tactics threaten not just free speech but also private companies’ autonomy over labor practices. “That’s not our role,” she insisted. “Our job is to connect everyone, everywhere.”

Among her top priorities, Gomez listed affordable broadband, wireless innovation, restoring the FCC’s spectrum auction authority, and shoring up local journalism. She also sounded the alarm on legal challenges to the Universal Service Fund, which supports telecom access in underserved areas. “These court threats are serious,” she said, pressing Congress and stakeholders to find a sustainable fix.

Gomez also cast a skeptical eye on the FCC’s rumored moves to meddle in content moderation and reinterpret Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which shields internet platforms from liability over user-generated content. Reports of an upcoming FCC advisory opinion on Section 230 caught her off guard: “I’m hearing about this through the media like everyone else.” If true, she argued, it’s a sign of overreach. “They’re issuing opinions because they lack authority. What worries me is this push to control speech. The Supreme Court has ruled content moderation is protected free speech. This is government bullying social media into toeing an ideological line—dangerous stuff.”

She wrapped up with a plea for focus. “This administration keeps tearing down instead of building up,” she said. “I’m still hoping we can ditch the culture wars and get back to what matters.”