The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, warned Saturday that broadcasters could risk losing their licenses over what he described as misleading coverage of the war with Iran, escalating his campaign against what he calls liberal bias in major news outlets.
As the conflict entered its third week, Carr accused several media organizations of spreading “hoaxes and news distortions” in a social media post and cautioned broadcasters to change their approach before their license renewals come up for review.
“Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not,” Carr wrote.
Carr amplified a post by Donald Trump criticizing media coverage of the conflict. Trump singled out a report by The Wall Street Journal that said five U.S. refueling planes had been struck in Saudi Arabia, arguing the headline was intentionally misleading and accusing news organizations of undermining the war effort.
The paper’s publisher, Dow Jones & Company, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Separately, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized CNN during a news conference Friday, accusing the network of biased reporting and saying he anticipated changes if it eventually comes under the control of billionaire David Ellison.
Ellison leads Skydance Media, which is seeking to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in a deal reportedly worth $111 billion. If completed, the acquisition would place CNN within Ellison’s media portfolio. Ellison is also known for restructuring leadership at CBS News.
Since becoming FCC chairman at the start of Trump’s current term, Carr has repeatedly raised the possibility of revoking station licenses over programming decisions by major networks. Broadcasters rely on FCC licenses to operate their local stations.
However, media law experts say revoking those licenses is legally complex and rare. Federal communications law is designed to prevent government regulators from using licensing authority to censor speech.
Carr’s comments quickly drew criticism from Democratic lawmakers and free speech advocates. Elizabeth Warren called the threat “straight out of the authoritarian playbook,” while Mark Kelly warned that press freedom is essential, especially during wartime.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression also condemned the remarks, saying Carr’s leadership has been marked by attempts to intimidate the press and describing the latest warning as “shocking and dangerous.”
Critics say Carr’s actions fit a broader pattern. The late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live! was temporarily pulled from the air after Carr criticized comments made by its host, and he has suggested the FCC should examine the political content of The View.
Earlier this year, Stephen Colbert accused the FCC of influencing editorial decisions at CBS, saying the network blocked him from airing an interview with a Democratic Senate candidate because of new guidance about equal airtime for political campaigns.
The clash between the administration and major media outlets comes as public polling shows declining support for the war with Iran, while the government continues efforts to counter Tehran’s attempts to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil supplies.
