1. United States
2. Okla.
3. Letter

Protect Free Speech: Oppose FCC Censorship of Jimmy Kimmel I am deeply concerned about the recent events surrounding ABC's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show and the alarming suggestion by FCC Chair Brendan Carr to revoke ABC affiliate licenses. This situation represents a dangerous precedent of government overreach and potential censorship of protected political speech. The controversy stems from Kimmel's monologue addressing the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk, where he commented on the political characterization of the suspected killer. While opinions may differ on the appropriateness of his remarks, it is crucial to remember that political speech, even when controversial, is protected under the First Amendment. FCC Chair Carr's suggestion to use the commission's power to force Disney to punish Kimmel is a clear abuse of governmental authority. This action sets a chilling precedent for free speech and press freedom in our nation. It's particularly troubling that this pressure comes from a government official tasked with regulating communications. The hypocrisy of this situation is glaring when compared to similar instances involving other media personalities. For example, no such action was proposed against Brian Kilmeade for controversial statements, highlighting an inconsistent and politically motivated approach to media regulation. The suspension of Kimmel's show, while a decision made by ABC, appears to be a direct result of this government pressure. This outcome has been celebrated by some political figures, including President Trump, further politicizing what should be a matter of free speech protection. I urge you to take a strong stand against this form of government-induced censorship. We must protect the principles of free speech that are fundamental to our democracy, regardless of political affiliation or personal opinions on specific comments. Please speak out against the FCC's overreach and any attempts to use governmental power to silence or punish protected speech. Our nation's commitment to free expression is being tested. As my representative, I ask that you defend this crucial right and oppose any legislation or policy that would enable such censorship. The integrity of our democratic discourse depends on your action to protect free speech for all, even when we disagree with the content.