The administration of US President Donald Trump has warned that news outlets could have their broadcasting licences revoked over critical reporting on the war against Iran, accusing the media of “distortions” and “hoaxes”.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr stated in a social media post on Saturday that broadcasters must “operate in the public interest” or face the loss of their licences. “Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions – also known as the fake news – have a chance now to correct course before their licence renewals come up,” Carr wrote.
The warning follows a social media post from President Trump accusing the “fake news media” of incorrectly reporting that US refuelling planes were struck during an Iranian attack in Saudi Arabia, reports Al Jazeera.
While acknowledging a base was hit, the President asserted that four out of five planes sustained “virtually no damage” and are back in service. He further alleged that “lowlife” media outlets “actually want us to lose the War”.
Censorship concerns
The FCC Chairman’s remarks prompted immediate condemnation from politicians and free-speech advocates. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii described the statement as a “clear directive to provide positive war coverage”.
Aaron Terr, director of public advocacy at the Foundation of Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), stated that the First Amendment does not allow the government to “censor information about the war it’s waging”.
This is not the first time Carr has been accused of pressuring broadcasters to align with administration priorities. Last year, he called for action against the broadcaster ABC regarding comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s critical coverage, stating on a podcast, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way”.
Calls for ‘patriotic’ reporting
Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth also criticised the press during a briefing on Friday, blaming the media for turning public opinion against the military action.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host, called for “patriotic” reporters to use more optimistic headlines, such as “Iran increasingly desperate,” rather than reporting that the war is intensifying.
He specifically singled out CNN for its reporting on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, expressing hope that a prospective deal would soon place the network under the control of David Ellison, the son of tech executive and Trump ally Larry Ellison.
A polarising conflict
The war, launched by the US and Israel on 28 February, remains largely unpopular. A recent Quinnipiac poll found that 53 per cent of voters oppose the military action, including 60 per cent of independent voters.
Legal experts have condemned the conflict as a violation of international law. Although President Trump told a rally this week that the war was “over” in the “first hour,” Iranian attacks on US forces continue across the region, and the Strait of Hormuz – a vital trade artery – remains closed.
