Industry News

FCC’s Gomez Comments on ABC Suit

Following Tuesday’s news that ABC is filing suit against the FCC alleging a violation of its First Amendment rights, FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez comments on the matter. She states: “For months, the FCC has waged a campaign of imgcensorship and control against Disney’s ABC stations, using the threat of broadcast license revocations to punish a company for speech this administration doesn’t like. I have long called on companies to push back against this kind of government intimidation, and I’m glad Disney has shown courage and stepped up. This should be a welcome sign for every broadcaster who has felt the weight of this overreaching government pressure in silence.

“I am hopeful that this will mark the beginning of the end of this administration’s disregard for the Constitution and the law, and that the coming months will bring the costly legal defeat this agency has been asking for since it started down this path. It is time this administration understands that the Constitution does not bend to political convenience, and that the First Amendment protects the news and commentary Americans see on their screens even when those in power wish it didn’t.”

Industry News

Tucker Carlson Debuts on Twitter; FOX News Cries Foul

According to a report by Axios, FOX News has notified Tucker Carlson’s attorneys that they believe his Tuesday Twitter broadcast is in violation of his contract. The Tuesday program was Carlson’s first broadcast since he exited FOX News Channel in April. FOX argues that the showim was a violation of the non-compete portion of his contract. Axios reports that Carlson’s lawyers say, “Any legal action by FOX would violate [Carlson’s] First Amendment rights.” The Axios piece goes on to say that Carlson is accusing FOX News of breach of contract for breaking their promise to not settle the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit in a manner in which it would indicate wrongdoing on the part of Carlson. It’s been reported that firing Carlson was a part of FOX’s settlement agreement with Dominion. Read the Axios report here.