Trump’s FCC Ready To Smack Down on Liberal Media

Adriana Stone 0 1 min read

FCC Set To Crack Down On Partisan TV

The Federal Communications Commission told the big broadcast networks they need to follow equal-opportunity rules when it comes to candidates and political voices on daytime and late-night shows.

The agency pointed to long-standing law and said networks can’t assume interview segments automatically qualify as news. It reminded broadcasters that “Under section 315, if a broadcast station permits any legally qualified candidate for public office to use its facilities, it shall provide an equal opportunity to all other legally qualified candidates for that office,” and that the old “bona fide” news exemption has limits.

The FCC also said it “has not been presented with any evidence that the interview portion of any late night or daytime television talk show program on the air presently would qualify for the ‘bona fide’ news exemption.” That raises questions for shows that regularly book guests from one side of the aisle.

Networks have long treated some talk and comedy programs as harmless entertainment. The FCC now says that’s not automatic. If a show gives lots of airtime to one party’s candidates, stations could be on the hook to provide balanced chances to opposing candidates.

Commissioner Brendan Carr posted about the move on Twitter/X. He put it bluntly:

For years, legacy TV networks assumed that their late night & daytime talk shows qualify as “bona fide news” programs – even when motivated by purely partisan political purposes.

Today, the FCC reminded them of their obligation to provide all candidates with equal opportunities pic.twitter.com/sWiQmqQHCq

That post highlights the practical risk for networks. If talk shows routinely book one party’s figures, stations may need to respond. That could mean inviting more diverse guests, changing booking practices, or treating certain segments differently.

Hosts and producers will likely push back. Many see their shows as opinion or entertainment, not as candidate platforms. Stations will weigh legal risk against creative freedom and audience expectations.

For viewers, this could change the mix of voices you see on daytime panels and late-night interviews. For broadcasters, it means a closer look at guest lists and how they label show segments.

Networks and stations now have to decide how to adapt. The FCC’s guidance doesn’t rewrite the law, but it does signal closer scrutiny. Expect conversations about culture, free expression, and compliance to heat up in newsrooms and booking desks.

Joy Behar wants legacy to be getting Trump out of office as ‘The View’ co-host calls for invoking 25th Amendment on prez https://t.co/fPQHf1cPm6 pic.twitter.com/ZQOZYTps6t

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