URGENT UPDATE: The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board has launched a fierce attack on FCC chair Brendan Carr, condemning his intervention that led to the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel‘s ABC show. This dramatic move comes just days after Kimmel criticized President Donald Trump and his supporters in the wake of the controversial death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
Latest developments indicate that Carr allegedly pressured Disney to halt Kimmel’s show, stating they could address the situation “the easy way or the hard way.” As a direct result, Disney has pulled Kimmel’s program after facing threats from major broadcast affiliates Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar, both of which are under scrutiny regarding their influence on local news.
The editorial board argues that Carr’s actions represent a troubling trend of government overreach, describing it as a dose of “cancel culture and regulatory abuse.” They assert that any appearance of free market dynamics is overshadowed by the government’s ability to coerce media companies into compliance.
The board highlighted the implications of such regulatory power, noting, “Disney’s executives had to look out for the best interests of their shareholders and the Disney brand.” This concern is compounded by Trump’s ongoing campaign against perceived political adversaries, which has included using regulatory measures against media outlets like Paramount and CBS.
In their critique, the Wall Street Journal emphasizes that Kimmel’s comments, while deemed “false, callous, and stupid,” do not warrant government intervention. “They weren’t inciting violence, and in a free society they shouldn’t be cause for the government to push someone off the airwaves,” they wrote.
The editorial concludes with a stark warning about the political climate in the United States, stating, “The political cycle of using government to punish opponents is taking the country into dark corners that will result in less freedom, and less free speech, for all sides.”
This story is developing rapidly, and the implications of these actions could reverberate throughout the media landscape. As the situation unfolds, many will be watching for how both Disney and the FCC respond to this unprecedented pressure.
Stay tuned for more updates as this critical issue continues to evolve.
