President-elect Donald Trump’s FCC pick takes aim at national media, signaling a shift towards local news accountability.
At a Glance
- Trump’s FCC pick, Brendan Carr, sent a critical letter to Disney CEO Bob Iger regarding ABC News
- Carr highlighted a $16 million defamation case settlement between ABC News and Trump
- The letter emphasized the importance of local news and criticized national media outlets
- Carr’s approach signals a potential shift in FCC’s role in media oversight
Trump Administration Signals New Direction for FCC
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, his administration is already signaling a swift and decisive approach to governance, particularly within the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Brendan Carr, Trump’s appointee to lead the FCC, has taken an unprecedented step by directly engaging with Disney CEO Bob Iger on matters concerning ABC News, a subsidiary of Disney.
Carr’s letter to Iger marks a significant departure from traditional FCC practices, potentially heralding a new era of media accountability under the Trump administration. The move has sparked discussions about the role of the FCC in overseeing media content and the balance between national and local news coverage.
Addressing Trust Erosion in National Media
At the heart of Carr’s letter is a concern over the declining public trust in national news outlets. He directly confronts this issue, stating, “Dear Mr. Iger, Americans no longer trust the national news media to report fully, accurately, and fairly,” Brendan Carr said.
This bold statement is backed by Carr’s reference to a recent defamation case settlement between ABC News and Trump. The network agreed to pay $15 million to Trump’s future presidential foundation and museum, along with an additional $1 million in attorney fees. This settlement, according to Carr, has contributed to the erosion of public trust in national media institutions.
Emphasizing the Role of Local News
In contrast to his criticism of national media, Carr strongly advocates for the importance of local news outlets. He argues that local media tends to be more trustworthy and better serves community interests. This perspective is reflected in his statement: “The fact that a massive trust divide has emerged between local news outlets and national programmers like ABC only increases the importance of retransmission consent revenues remaining available for local broadcast TV stations to invest in their local news operations and content that serves their communities,” Brendan Carr said.
Here's the full letter from incoming FCC chair Brendan Carr to Disney CEO Bob Iger about ABC's negotiations with affiliates – and about trust in media writ large pic.twitter.com/ARO0onozcy
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) December 24, 2024
Carr’s emphasis on local news aligns with a growing sentiment among conservatives who often view national media as biased or unreliable. By prioritizing local news, the Trump administration appears to be targeting what it perceives as a liberal-leaning national media landscape.
Potential Shift in FCC’s Role
Historically, the FCC has maintained a hands-off approach to programming content. However, Carr’s letter suggests a potential shift in this stance. As noted by media analyst Brian Stelter, “In effect, [Carr] is positioning himself as a friend to local media — and an antagonist to corporate owners,” Brian Stelter said.
This new direction could have far-reaching implications for the media landscape in the United States. It raises questions about the extent to which the FCC under Trump’s administration might attempt to influence media content and structure.
Broader Context of Trump’s Media Relations
Carr’s letter to Disney’s CEO is part of a larger narrative surrounding Trump’s contentious relationship with the media. Throughout his campaign and presidency, Trump has frequently labeled unfavorable coverage as “fake news” and referred to the press as “the enemy of the people.” This aggressive stance towards national media outlets has been a hallmark of Trump’s political strategy.
The appointment of Carr and his subsequent actions suggest that the Trump administration intends to continue its confrontational approach to national media through regulatory channels. This strategy aims to reshape the media landscape in favor of local outlets, which the administration views as more trustworthy and aligned with its values.
As the Trump administration prepares to take office, the media industry and the American public will be closely watching how these early signals translate into concrete policies and actions. The potential for significant changes in media regulation and the balance between national and local news coverage looms large on the horizon.
