Where true bias lies
I recently sent this letter to Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission. It is especially timely because of the CBS firing of Scott Pelley for insubordination – otherwise known as standing up for truth, justice, and the American way.
Mr. Carr,
It seems that you think it is your proper role as chair of the FCC to force broadcasters to march lock-step to the Trump regime’s political and cultural agenda. I tell you, it is not.
You recently wrote: “Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions — also known as the fake news — have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up.”
“The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not.”
No, the law is clear: You cannot force broadcasters to do your will, or Trump’s will either. It is not in the public interest, convenience or necessity for broadcasters to report only what and how you and Trump want it reported.
What you and Trump define as “fake news” is, as everyone else knows, real news. What is fake are Trump’s attempts to distort what is happening to his own personal interest. What also is fake are your attempts to bully broadcasters into compliance.
If it were your proper role to determine what is “fake” and what is real, you would have jumped all over Fox “News” and Newsmax and other outlets long ago. But you haven’t, have you? No, because they know who and what they really serve, and it certainly isn’t the American public.
Your threats are so obviously biased that any case you might bring against any broadcaster would soon be ruled invalid in the courts on First Amendment grounds, if not the longstanding rules governing the FCC.
You and your buddies have stolen funding from NPR, neutralized the Washington Post, neutered CBS News and are now looking to destroy the credibility of any unit connected to Paramount. You are well on your way to creating a propaganda empire. But you will not prevail in the end because might does not make right; it only creates more victims
I do not expect this letter to sway your thinking in the slightest. But you must know that millions of Americans do not share your fascination with fascism, and your efforts to force your opinions on us will be vigorously opposed and ultimately defeated.
Your latest efforts to silence all critics by threatening the licenses of ABC stations if Jimmy Kimmel is not fired are both ridiculous and unconstitutional. But that appears to be par for the course for the dangerous game you are playing to please your boss. You ought to be serving the American people instead.
(signed)
James A. Hopwood