President-elect Donald Trump’s designated Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair, Brendan Carr, has issued a formal letter to Disney CEO Bob Iger, expressing concerns over the integrity of national news media, particularly focusing on Disney-owned ABC News.
In his correspondence, Carr highlighted a significant erosion of public trust in national news outlets, stating, “Americans no longer trust the national news media to report fully, accurately, and fairly.” He attributed part of this mistrust to ABC News’s recent actions, notably a $15 million settlement with President-elect Trump following a defamation lawsuit.
The lawsuit stemmed from a March broadcast of “This Week,” during which anchor George Stephanopoulos inaccurately stated that Trump had been “found liable for rape” in the E. Jean Carroll case, despite prior advisories against using such terminology.
Carr also criticized Disney’s strategy of prioritizing content for its paid streaming services over local affiliates, suggesting that this approach further deepens public mistrust. He emphasized the importance of supporting local broadcast stations, which maintain higher trust levels among Americans, to ensure the dissemination of accurate and community-focused news.
This development signals a potential shift in the FCC’s approach under Carr’s leadership, indicating increased scrutiny of national media organizations and their adherence to journalistic standards.
Incoming FCC chairman sends a letter to the CEO of Disney (owner of ABC) telling him “Americans no longer trust the national news media to report fully, accurately, and fairly.” https://t.co/9J5yZJgkbT
https://t.co/WzzV7fZx1e— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) December 23, 2024