1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

I am deeply concerned about recent actions by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that appear to infringe upon the First Amendment rights of broadcasters and media personalities. Specifically, I am referring to the indefinite suspension of ABC's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' following pressure from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. This situation raises alarming questions about the FCC's role in influencing content decisions and potentially suppressing free speech. While the comments made by Jimmy Kimmel regarding the tragic shooting of Charlie Kirk were undoubtedly controversial, the response from the FCC seems to overstep its regulatory bounds and venture into the dangerous territory of content control. The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, including unpopular or offensive speech, from government interference. The FCC's actions in this case appear to be a form of indirect censorship, using its regulatory power to pressure a broadcaster into silencing a voice they find objectionable. This sets a dangerous precedent that could have a chilling effect on political discourse and media freedom. Furthermore, the ripple effect of this action is concerning. Major media groups like Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group have followed suit by ceasing to air 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' on their ABC affiliates. This demonstrates the far-reaching impact of the FCC's influence and the potential for widespread self-censorship in the media industry. I urge you to initiate a congressional investigation into this matter. We need to examine whether the FCC has overstepped its authority and if its actions constitute a violation of the First Amendment. Additionally, I request that you consider legislation to more clearly define and limit the FCC's ability to influence content decisions by broadcasters. The preservation of free speech and a free press is fundamental to our democracy. We must ensure that regulatory bodies like the FCC do not wield their power in ways that could suppress diverse voices and perspectives in our media landscape. Your immediate attention to this issue is crucial to safeguard our constitutional rights and maintain the integrity of our public discourse.