Trump's FCC Investigates The View, Threatens to Punish 'Fake News'
The Federal Communications Commission under the Trump administration has launched an investigation into the daytime talk show The View, amid broader reported threats that 'fake news' outlets will face regulatory consequences. The move follows the FCC's recent issuance of equal-time warnings directed at both late-night and daytime talk shows.
The investigation raises significant First Amendment concerns and questions about the appropriate role of government broadcast regulation. Critics argue that using FCC authority to target specific shows based on their political content represents an unprecedented threat to press freedom, while supporters frame it as enforcing fairness standards in broadcasting. The equal-time doctrine historically applied to political candidates' access to airtime, and its application to talk shows marks a notable expansion of how the rule is being interpreted.
The investigation raises significant First Amendment concerns and questions about the appropriate role of government broadcast regulation. Critics argue that using FCC authority to target specific shows based on their political content represents an unprecedented threat to press freedom, while supporters frame it as enforcing fairness standards in broadcasting. The equal-time doctrine historically applied to political candidates' access to airtime, and its application to talk shows marks a notable expansion of how the rule is being interpreted.