Trump’s CBS lawsuit ties media freedom to FCC’s regulatory power
In the first hours of his presidency, Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14149, “Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship.” The Order prohibits any “federal department, agency, entity, officer, employee, or agent” from acting “in a manner that advanced the Government’s preferred narrative about significant matters of public debate.”
Two days later, the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reopened a previously dismissed proceeding, the effect of which was to advance a Trump campaign “preferred narrative” about the CBS television network. The action not only inserted the agency into matters of freedom of speech but also the personal lawsuit brought by private citizen Trump against CBS.
Related Knowledge Center: Free speech and public protest
The First Amendment is facing challenging times: Crackdowns on campus protests prompted both-sides claims of intolerance. Attempts to head off dangerous health misinformation have been characterized as violations of free speech. Donald Trump is publicly punishing news outlets that deviate from his administration’s version of events while privately suing some outlets into submission.
The White House vs. the press | Voiceless America
Related Knowledge Center: Media and the law
Toxic politics and vast shifts in the technology landscape have created a plethora of thorny issues — both legal and ethical — for newsrooms, courts, and regulators.
The Meta-FTC trial | Section 230
Related Knowledge Center: The CBS submission
Corporate pressure has led to capitulation by CBS News in a number of conflicts with the Trump regime — including its newly ideological coverage philosophy.