from the free-speech-warriors-my-ass dept
Sycophants do sycophantic issues, that a lot is thought. However the degree to which newly-minted FCC chairman Brendan Carr has voluntarily debased himself purely to realize his present station is extraordinary. We knew through the marketing campaign season that Carr was wanting to be America’s chief censor of any content material the Expensive Chief disliked. That the identical Expensive Chief deigned to discuss with Carr as a “free speech warrior” might usually be described as double-speak, besides that such an outline would suggest that Donald Trump has learn 1984 in some unspecified time in the future and I’ve a really exhausting time believing that to be true, save maybe as an instruction guide. However the actions Carr has taken since his vulgar elevation to chairman are each unsurprising and so clearly counter to the idea of freedom of speech and serving the general public as to be laughable.
However ought to that you must see the hypocrisy starkly in motion, to not point out how the far-right propaganda machine plans to serve the administration, you want solely examine how Carr’s FCC is threatening one of many oldest radio stations within the nation for reporting the news too specifically.
Let’s begin with the headline from Fox Information.
It’s exhausting to know the place to start with this bullshit. KCBS in San Francisco has been around forever in the radio world. The primary time the station went on the air formally was in 1921. It’s one of many oldest radio stations within the nation and, presumably, the world. And, sure, it was purchased by Audacy a couple of years in the past and, sure, Audacy is partially owned by the Soros Fund Administration. Someway all of that was KCBS being a “Soros-backed” station, I’m certain under no circumstances due to Soros’ longstanding service because the far proper’s Jewish boogeyman.
Now, the entire reside places factor of ICE raids and brokers? Yeah, that completely occurred. It’s referred to as, you realize, information.
On the January 26 version of “KCBS Radio Weekend Information,” it revealed particular details about undercover ICE brokers who have been “finishing up an operation on the east aspect of city.”
“The Santa Clara County Speedy Response Community, which is a group protection projecting system for immigrant communities in opposition to deportation threats, first report the exercise on its platforms,” the host instructed listeners.
The “KCBS Radio Weekend Information” host then revealed the precise make, coloration and mannequin of a number of unmarked autos used within the operation. The station additionally revealed the exact locations of a number of ICE brokers working within the space.
Let me see if I can summarize that whereas nonetheless clutching these pearls. Do you imply to inform me {that a} information radio station, on this 12 months of our lord 2025, reported precisely on one thing that’s completely of reports worth and included specifics that have been observable by actually any member of the general public? And that public info out of the blue grew to become worthy of a license inquiry just by being broadcast over public airwaves?
The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau has already despatched a proper Letter of Inquiry to the radio station as a part of the FCC investigation. The Enforcement Bureau continuing is inquiring whether or not the radio station–which is licensed to function by the FCC–is violating the phrases of their FCC license, which requires that they function within the “public curiosity.” The formal Enforcement Bureau Letter notes that the ICE brokers were working on the time in an space recognized for violent gang exercise.
Yeah, so the fuck what? I typically assume that legislation enforcement brokers in massive cities, together with these at ICE, are often in places the place there’s violent gang exercise. That’s kind of the job, of us. And, once more, how does that change that KCBS was reporting on the specifics recognized by a 3rd get together of what’s clearly a newsworthy story?
As for the “public curiosity” line, that’s laughable. Who will get to find out what’s within the public curiosity? Definitely not the general public, it appears, as I haven’t heard something on this story that includes the FCC polling the general public to gauge their curiosity. No, that will probably be left to Carr’s willpower, who’s nothing greater than a proxy for Trump.
No extra free speech speak from the best. That ship has sailed. The pretense has been laid apart. Followers of legislation enforcement may not like {that a} information station reported the information at a degree of specificity which may, kinda, perhaps put brokers in a bit extra hazard. However that doesn’t change the truth that it’s nonetheless reporting the information, that it’s protected speech, and that this sort of bullying from the FCC is a really, very apparent violation of the First Modification.
Carr is aware of all of this, after all. He simply doesn’t care.
Filed Below: 1st amendment, brendan carr, fcc, free speech, ice, investigation, kcbs, public interest, reporting
Corporations: audacy, kcbs, soros fund management
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